The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-06-04
From the Western Pioneer.
THE EDITORS RAMBLES.

You Will perceive from !" where hail,
where / am.'' Having a few days to
spare, previous to the anniversary meet
ings in New York, | could not forego the
opportunity thus presented, of visiting this
place-the seat of our National Govern
ment.
But, to commence where we left off.
On the morning of the 18th, we took the
stages at Wheeling for Baltimore. The
change from steamboat to coaches-from
the damp breezes of the river to the brac-
ing mountain air, was inexpresslbly plea
SAINT and exhilerating. The weather was
fne-which, with a good coach and ex-
cellent drivers, to say nothing of the
beautiful and picturesque scenery that de-
lighted our eyes at every turn, softened
the fatigues of travel, and merged in for
getfulness awhile, even the pleasures of
home!
Fresh in every school-boy's memory,
is the history of the>expedition of the ILL
starred Braddock. On the day we left
Wheeling, we crossed the tract of his
army, and passed near the spot where
repose the bones of the brave but rash and
unfortunate General. The dark forests of
the Monongahela have been telled, and
smiling fields have waived, for years, their
plentiful crops where then trod the
soldier, and where then ragged the wild din,
of battle And prettier fields and finer
specimens of agricultural skill we have
never seen. The lands resemble those of
Eagle Creek in Kentucky, which the Ken
tuckian thinks unfit for cultivation, but
which the industrious Pennsylvania
makes to rival in variety and abundance
of productions, the rich table lands Of
Bear Grass and of Cane Run. We hope
our Kentucky farmers will take a hint
from this, and bring into cultivation much
of their grounds which now lie in native
wildness. We hope they will learn to
cultivate, not to acear out their fields.
About shutdown we began to enter the
mountains, and upon a part of the road
recently much infested by robbers. One
of our felIow-travellers entertained us with
several very interesting stories, all tending
to lead our minds TO the uncomfortable
conclusion that it was not at all impossi-
bic for robbery, or a murder, or some
thing of the sort to occur before morning.
Some of our company manifested no lit
tie trepidation on the subject. Darkness
set in just as we began slowly to ascend
Laurel Mountain. 1t was just such a
nightas the disciples of Robin Hood most
admire. 1t was moonless and drzzlng
of rain. Conversation from an OCCASION
al question and answer, entirely ceased.
The irregular breathing, and even snoring
of some of the company, evidenced that
they were wrapped, maugre the jostling
of the coach. in the embraces of morphe-
us. Only at remote intervals was the
monotony broken by the voice of the dri-
yer chiding his weary horses, or theicreak
OF wheel. as it came in contact with
some truant stone in its path. 1t was Just
past midnight. in the widest and most
gloomy par, of the road. when we were
suddenly set upon by some half dozen
ruAians, and robbed-in Il dream!-from
which we were aroused by the stopping
of the coach for change of horses! We
had passed all the dangers, and indeed had
been in no danger, for sturdy mountain.
eer, armed with two tremendous pistols
loaded TO the muzzle, and sufficient to
despatch at once to the " bourne from
which no traveller returns" half score
of robbers, had mounted guard before night
set in. He is in the employ of the con-
tractors for this specific purpose - had
shot one of these marauders short time
since, and appeared quite disappointed
that an opportunity had not presented it.
self for trying his hand that way again.
lie was very resolute looking fellow,
and no doubt was terror to all the evil
doors of the region. Blu, since we were
not apprized of his proximity until after
we had passed the points of danger. and /
until after the robbery alluded to above,
he might as well have remained behind;
for what avals security when one is not
aware of it?
Next morning the sun arose in cloud.
less majesty. We were on the highest
peak of the Alleghanies over which the
National Road passes. On either hand
the mountains lowered in majesty. sHills
peeped 'er hills, and mount on mountain
rose.' The wildness and grandeur of the
scenery were beyond description, and
they aroused us from the stupor which
our efforts to sleep in the coach had
brought upon us, and in few minutes we
feltas much refreshed as if just awakened
from bed of down and were banquetting
upon the balmy zephyrs of spring morn
ing. All the day of the 10Th, and part of
the night, we were passing through the
mountains, and all the time were wrapt
in admiration. At one point especially
was the prospect very sublime and i'm
posing. 1t was at house called "Moun.
tain View short distance this side of
Cumberland, Maryland. We can see at
one view some half dozen peaks of the
Alleghanies, rising in pyramidal grandeur
blue as if baptized in the vaults of the
skies-and kissing the clouds.
We have ever been admirer of the works
Ofnature. The finest paintinos never ,f.