Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-11-12
From The Columbian Magazine
THE WILEY HOUSE.
A TRUE TALE OF THE WHITE
MOUNTAIN NOTCH.


The melanchol, fate Of we'll known
family, whose picturesque residence was
in the very midst Of The White Mountain
range in New Hampshire has formed the
subject Of more than one attempt ol the
poet and romancer. BuV the simple nar'
rsliVe, with no other adoTDment than the
truth itself, may not prove less il tCrOst.
ing TO the reader than either poetry or
romance; for it is one of those instances
in which Truth is stanger than fiction. :"
1t was in the year 1886 thaI was jour
neying with large party Of travellers
through that extraordinary PasS in the
mountains Of New Hampshire which ID
called ''rhs Notch" As We entered il,
the rain, which had just before been fall.
inr in torrenls, abated and enabled US 10
observe miOu,ely the features Of the glO~
rious scenery around US. We were wind
ing our way among The bases of high
mountains springing upward from the
level on which we stood, and burying
their l"ily peaks in the clouds that still
hung iR dark and heavy masses above
them. The mist. thinner than the dense
clouds that filed the upper air, was curl
ing upward and downward along the luw
er levels OF the many hill sides in wreatbs
Of fantastic shapes, displaying in success
sion a series OF the most picturesque
landscapes, like the shifting of scenery
upon the stage. In the midst OF the gen
eral admiration excited by the scene Of
vlried beauty, we became aware Of our
near approach 10 point which, we had
been told at our last stopping place, wa
should find one OF the most interesting
in our whole journey. We had come TO
a sudden turn among the hills we had
been all the morning IraversiDg, and
found ourselves entering broad, c:rcu-
lar valley atthe base Of the vide noun :
tain range, which rose amphiihealrically
all around US as far as the eye, looking
on either side, could reach. Green mOa
dows, with hero and there few Trees,
with some attempts at cultivation, we'e
visible in the valley, as the eye took in
lire landscape thnt lay stretched out be.
fore us; and in the midst Of the whole
there ran noisy and shallow stream
which struck us all, however, as being
unusually broad and and rapid in its flow.
We had listened, the evening be fore, to
the tale Of that swift torrent, and now we
gazed upon it in silent awe.
The dark hill sides, bounding our view
on either hand,were deeply indenled with
the paths that many mighty avalanches
had lraVersed. At the foot Of one oI
the highest and most corrugated Of these,
and standing closely upon the road side.
our guide pointed out tous the former
dwelling place Of the "WiIley fsmily;'
and the scene Of that wonderful and
appalling catastrophe, the memory o.
which throws such a deep melancholy
over this devoted valley, was full before
us.
tsAn everlasting hill was torn
From its eternal base, and borne
In gold and crimsOned vapOrs drsst,
To where household are at rest!
The mountain-sepulcre Of hearts belovedl
The cottage stood; whl'e the monarch trees
Leaned back from the eneOuntsring breeze,
Az the Tremendous pageant moved!
The mountain forsook his perpetual throne,
Came dotA from his IOek, ,&r his path was shown
In baroness and ruin, whore
n The secret Ofhis power lies bare.
His rocks in nakedness arise!
His desolation mock tho skies!"
Il