Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-06-19
F'r TIE TINES.
VISIT TO MONUMENT MOUNTAIN.

Berkshire Co. Mass Mr. Eiitor, is no less
renowned 10 history than in song. The deeds
Of her sons in the time Of the trial OF souls,
adoru our annals aud give them renewed in
teres,. Her Scenery has furnished hemes TN
numbered for all welding the grey goose
la i,l" and not summer passes but her pleas
ant villages are frequented by City people,
anil those who love the beautiful and sublime
OF nature in harmony.
After long winters campaign at College,
welcome Spring set in joyiully, and with il
the annual three weeks vacation.
Being many miles from our "Paternal roof,
aud wishing to satisfy curiosity, with long
ing to see friends Of olden time, we determin-
ed on a tip to Stoekbrilge. There meeting
with D, junior at our Alma Mater, a visit to
Monument Mountain was planned. Come
with me. from your busy oifice-bid our City
God speed. and we will show you this noun
tain Of the monument that stands propping
Heaven, in the Valley OF the Hoosatonic,
whose wludings are handsomely seen from its
top.
Passing through the town we go by that
beautiful residence. surrounded by large trees.
it is the homestead OF the Massachusetts,
Authoress-who wrote Hope Leslie &c. sc.
That venerated dwelling on our right is the
sacred spot where President Edwards pcnned
the master production Of the human mind
upon the Will.
What thoughts fill US as we look back upon
that frame house7 Gladly would we linger
awhile beneath the tall Elm tree planted by
the venerable man who was faithful unto
Death-but the Sun is high ia Heaven, and
we must proceed. Striking the road we are
soon al the Eastern side by the Mt. Look do
You see that high heavy precipice-rock beet
ling over rock-crag upon crag nearly thous-
aud feet above us. Here and there hem
lock and pine standing moss covered, with
their faithful branches, like Druids of old with
their long boards. See that creyice made by
that thunder bolt few days since, and that
overh4nging rock ready to lall-but it will
not foil, those of seventy winters tel US they
remember not when it was otherwise. This
is the highest point, and this is the very huge
! pile Bryant speaks Of, when he says
| There is a precipice
That seems fragment OF some mighty wall,
! Bult by the hand that fashioned the old world
TO separate its nations, and thrown down
When The flood drowned
Their is tale about those grey old rocks,
sod tradition OF unhappy love,
And sorrows borne and ended long ago
When over these fair wales the Savage sought
HIS game in the thick woods.
Ere we commence our ascent, we will re-
late to you this sad tale.
There was an Indian maiden in early days,
whose hair dark as the ravens wing, hung in
| tresses over the light form that contained her
free warm heart. With her the young man
OF the trite, and the old warrior, home from
battle, were happy, and not a maid of her
race was more beautiful, more blessed by the
Great Spirit, than Light Foot, the only daugh
Ter oil the Cheltain Eagle Eye. Light Foot
with soul generous and milo, rejected her
many wooers, and unsolicited on his part
loves her cousin. The laws of her tribe for
bid the marriage. And now for the smile Of
innocent JOY that lighted her, deep and
settled gloom overshadows her soul, and from
the too iall fountain her tears flow freely
Decking herseliin costly apparel, she resolves
by ending life to exchange the world for hap
py hunting grounds Going to the top OF this
mountain, and singing the native songs OF
death and Overlooking for the last time up
on the wigwums OF Der nation in the plain
Delow,-al the going down of the Sun she
throws herself from the summit and pershes
ihencelorward every Indian passing by, laid
stone upon her grave-unti it is now sim
pie monument, and standing yet, tells the sor-
rOwlul tale of The hopeless maiden From
this circumstance the mountain upon whose
top we are took It's name. Is it not fear
tul hing to stand here upon this betting
verge, and view where Heavens artillery has
battered down great masses from this high
waii,-aad with the poet TO
Lay the ear
Over the dizzy depth and hear the sound
: VI winds, that struggle with the woods be-
low,
Come up like Oceans murmurs
The scenery is nparalleled-look away to
the North, that high headed peak is Saddle
| ball, commanding view into five States.
Beyond lie the mountains ia Vermont
Westward you see the everlasting hills of the
CatskilI in their pride OF place. At our feet
The garden OF nature opens on our view, rob
ed IN beauty; the hills tower up in dark blue
shades, with their valleys smiling between
| The Hoosatonic flows ON towards old ocean-
numerous vlloges lie sleeping in the valley,
which appears like large chess board-here
d green meadow with its rills and flowers
that land with the waving corn, adjoining
piowed fields ready for the seed. Yonder.
Eastward is Laurel hill upon whose summit
Is Sacrifice Rock, sacred in Indian lore. Tru-
y tins is where the beauty the wealth and
majesty OF earth, are spread wide in sweet
harmony. Ii is not strange that old tribe Of
red men fought h,og Tor tins spot, where eve
~ thing contributes TO the entertainment of
The view, impartng to the picture msgnit-
icence that fils us with feelings of thrilling
delight.
But the night comes swiftly on-the God
OF day is behind the hills aud we move home
ward-yet before we part. tell me, can you
! a.;