New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-10-28
From The Gin for lsi2
THE RECLUSE OF THE BLUE
MOUNTAIN"

1T Is now matter oil thirty years since lei
Chambersburg, Pennsy lvania, an excursion
through the valley extending west of the .juniala
have often traversed the same portion of countr,
since, but circumstances occurring on my first visi
have fixed that indeliby in my memory, while my
recollection scarce retains any subsequent impress
sions. b. the way, poets who have sung OF the
beauties Of nature on Susquehannah's side ought
TO visit the most lovely Of ia western branches -
The Juniata has but recently been celebrated by
the pencil of American artists; though lis banks
present every variety OF the bold and beautiful IN
scenery. Fair and fertile meadows, wild and ro-
mantle glens, moss-shrouded rocks, shady forests
and picturesque wooded cliffs, mark the progress
Of this enchanting stream from its rise in Bedford
County to its junction with the parent river. The
bold features of the mountainous region of Penn-
sylvania are here blended with the tarylike love-
illness of country less siernly wild.
My design was to proceed TO Harrisburg
Though the roads were in most uncivzed coadl-
ton, yet | aPprehended no Inconvenience or dis
comfort in travelling horseback provided as |
was with stock Of youthful strength that baae
defiance to fatigue. The valley of Tuscarora. now
smiling with fertile fields and the aboles OF indus
try, was then but imperftc,ly cultivated; few
houses, rude in structure occasionally seen ;
and the hafteled woods, aud fields rough with
stamps, the good farmers abomnalion, bespoke
country newly settled. Further westward, the traces
of human habiiaton disapp, ared aud dense
dark forest spread for many miles, ancient and
impcnetrable, that it acquired the popular name
OF the Shades of Death. The sturdy Dutch set
tiers that vegetalcd on the borders of this lonely
region were not gifted with the curiosity enter
prise Of New Eng lander-; the Shades of Death
had rarely echoed the sound of an axe, or the voice
of the cheerful ubo,er. Tho sole dstuiber of
its recesses was and then traveller, who VEN
tured, like myself, to pass through them in quest
OF more hospitable country.
| was ever Il lover Of nature in her wildes,
moods. |, with slight feeling Of enjoy
ment that | threaded these dreary woods s,rsg-
Cling along over many obstacles, like the stream
whose eastward course followed The landscape
around me was primitive though my range OF vision
was III secessiv limited Here oaks that
had stood perhaps for centuries before the white
man set foot on the soil of the world,
honry, srsmbing and fast yielding to the vigorous
growth of their pos,erity. stately, luNurant trees,
that seemed to spurn the PROSTATE form, of their
ancestors. The solemn verdure of the tall hem
locks. of foliage like thu cedar contrustcd
with the vivid green Of the silver pine, peculiar 10
northern woods. There, also radiant in the YES
lure of autumn, were the other OF the forest
the American poplar with its garment of deep
W,
their leaves of glowing red mngled with variety
OF foliage of every intermediate hue. The creek
flowing at my fee, was fringed with the most
luxuriant underground of alder, brake &c.
through whick was sometimes compelled TO force
way. | had often likewise 10 pass into the
stream, where thick boughs, drosping in the wa
ter, impeded my advance. The difficulties in my
road, offered a succession of little adventures,
which, however, inicrfered not with my enjoyment
OF the grandeur and novelty of this wild scene
On either side within few miles. rose the pine
crowned heads of range of. mountains. The tops
OF the pines We're ba,hed in sunshine gradually
the streak OF light faded, and presently the bosom
OF The whole valley was wrapped in deep gloom.
The forms OF the tall trees grew indis,inct; ere
long could only discern those tina, stood in relief
against the sky ana then the mountains appeared
like vast masses et shadow, undis,inguishable from
the heavy clouds that rested on their summ;,s-
Night was at length upon at every s,ep /
plunged into deeper darkness, and only BY It's gurs
ling murmur could discover the sluggish s,resm.
As pressed on at very tedious pace endeav-
orcd 10 beguie the time by dreams of my own
bright fresde, and the happy faces that would
welcome me ere another evening had closed. My
visions were nj length broken By low mutterings
of thunder and became sensible that | was abou,
To be overtaken BY a storm tried TO quicken
my pace, in hopes of reaching better road; but
soon found that should be obliged 10 make haste
very slowly. All was sill for few moments al
ter, except the meaning of the vivid through the
trees and then came a irightfu burst Of thunder,
instantansously following the flash. The starting
peal rolled slong the side Of the Blue Mountain
on my right, and was instantly echoed from the OPP
posite range of the Black Log reverberatins hes
Willy from to the other I'LL the smo,hered sound
was lost in the thick FLASHING of the rain tina, now
descended absolutely in sheets. | had no, been
prepared for 80 sudden a bath. di.moan,ed, and
comforting myself as we'll as | could with nv
streaming dress and reeking saddlebags, was
The above sketch was communicated the writer by
traveller in whose words related. 1t may be relied
&c '0Sre TUE though but ssinPls tale,