The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-08-06
For the Spy.
THE MIME MOUNTAINS.


Imagine, if you can, an excellent road, in many
places hardly wide enough for Two stages 10 pass each
other so overgrown with trees that their branches ire
quenty brushed the top of the carriage winding among
mountains, either SIDE from two 10 three thousand
feet high, which ever and anon would seem to cross
your path and present insurmouniabie obstacle to
your further progress the main branch nf Tho S.
er eaPmg nom Iock to rock, and hurrying mnglt
with quiet waters, and occasionally fountain o:
water gushing of the mountain near its summit, and
rushing headong down its side for a thousand feet form
ing cascade resembling torrent of liquid silver and
strangely wild that poets dream or "madm an
vlssion e'er it." and you will have but fap,
idea of the White Mountain Notch.
In the ride from Bartlett to the notch house we pas
sed the residence of the veteran Abel Cfaw ford who is
said to be the first who ever rode TO the ton OF MI
Washington, and the Wiley house. which so narrowly
escaped destruction in great avalanche or slide in
1926 We were told that Mr.. Wiley was apprebensive
slide would take place. and had provided place Of
refuge at some distance from his house. A traveller
passing the place the 29k of Angus the day after
the catastrophe found the house desel,e with the ex
cepton OF dog, and, on subsequent investigation
was asceraned iha Mir. Wiley. his wife, FIVE children
and two hired men, in fleeing from the house were over
taken by the avalanche and buried IN rui: s. while the
house escaped uninured, by easo Of high ridge back
of it, which caused the avaanch to divide nd mass bv
on each side. The had Tow declined and The sh,d
ows Of night forming on the sides OF the mountains
mol breath oil ar disturbed the foliage Of the trees and
the death-ke stiffness that surrounded us was aImos
painful. AS the darkness increased, rabbits were fre
queny seen in the road before US, dsregarding our
presence until the horses nearly upon them Tho
driver informed US that Deer were rather numerous
the mounta ns and Bears frequently seen CROSSING
the road. The naming of bears startled our comnauv
and led to many inquiries about their appearance hab
IFS. &c and the expression of great desire 10 see ole
One of The ladies inquired OF the driver if he could in
form her what Kind OF noise bears make Ills gal,
antry Tor moment prevented his replying, but after
Little hesitation he SAID every much like a woman
"Women make all kinds Of noises" was the reply GAS
you have had ample demonstration dnring our ride TO
day. Which OF the noises you have heard us make
docs it resemble most ~ The driver was puzzled for
he had heard all manner Of sounds. He at length re-
piled, "a kind Of mournfu sound which woman would
make when a little frightened" This explanation dic
not satisfy the young lady, and she repeated Tie uqnr,
Of all the drivers in contact with afterwards
ant Of the peculiar noise made by bears.
t,le before reaching Crawiord's we came 10 the
northern entrance gate, this wonderful de6Ie in The
mountains, which here only % feet wide and defends
ed on each side BY immense walls of granite On INC
right eastern side, rises Mount Webster more thar
1000 feet above the road and on the left, or west is
Mount Willard Of nearly equal height
We had taken the precaulion TO be provided with
lie Ter Of Introduction 10 "hones Tom Crawford" as b,
IS Ca led, which did US excellent service We found
honest Tom a home, well proportioned fine looking
standing six feet in his slippers and ready
% receive us. Some of our unmarried ladies demurred
little at their rooms not being so eligible those as.
gned the married Ones but they were pacifed when
Tom said TO them, "next year, when you comewh yots
husbands, you shall have Tho best in the house,
The next morning Mr. Crawford was consulted as 10
eing suitable day to visit Mount Washington. He |