The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-07-31
Bedford Springs.

Nnefe al
Amid the charms of sequester'd spot,
Or recollected only to gild o'er,
And add smile to what was sweet before,
He may possess the joys he thinks he sees,
And lay his old age pon the lap of ease"
The above lines of the poet can be elucidated
fully by trip to that delightful watering place
Bedford Springs. There you meet with persons
of all ages and conditions in life, some of them
visiting this renowned spot for health, others
for pleasure, the young and gay full of yivacity
and sprightliness, high in expectation of a
blissful future, and the aged and feeble, now in
''the scar and yellow leaf of life" looking for
ward to brighter and better world, and await
ing, though not without fear, the hour that
calls them from US.
We paid our first visit to the Springs last
week, and after a rough ride, thanks to the
Hollidaysburg and Bedford turnpike, which we
imagine made us ten years older (but of course
the young ladies will forget this, we arrived at
the Springs safely ON Wednesday evening, just
in time to participate in the Grand Fancy Dress
Ball which was announced as part of the bill of
fare for that day. We needed water to wash
away the dust that had accumulated on our fair
form, and after an invigorating bath in the pure
cold water we dressed for the occasion, not in
gaudy attire, nor in the weeds of mourning,
nor with any pomp semblance of outward
show, but adorned ourself in all our accustomed
mountain simplicity, and chose rather to be a
! ''chiel amang them takin' notes." than to wear
the sombre dress of Hamlet the mailed coat of
Harry Percy, or the buckles and breeches of
Tom More, the '"Irish Lion" We entered the
room at measured step to the music of the
band, the air being we took it the ''Rogue's
March," and were struck at first sight with
about eleven pair of jet black eyes, whose pier
cling glances looked completely through US, and
our dear little heart beat like a watch running
a hand race. We paused to contemplate that
scene and as
''We gazed upon the dance, where ladies hight
| Were moving in the light
OF mirrors and of lamps"
the most delicious sensations seemed to steal
DER US, and we know a hundred hearts beat
happily and in unison with each other. How
ever, the Fancy part of the ball we considered
4 failure, there being but few persons in
character. We would moreover state that Miss
| Tn of Philadelphia, in the Bloomer Costume,
looked we might say divinely, and her appear
ance has almost made us a disciple of the style,
a la Turk.
Miss lie of Lancaster, as Swiss peasant
girl attracted universal attention and personated
the character distinguishingly. Miss S-g of
st. Louis acquitted herself as French grisette
in an excellent manner. Miss G-n of Virginia
as highland lassie gained much credit, and
Mrs. We of Philadelphia as the Maid of the
Mist received much praise for the excellent
manner in which she sustained the character.
Mr.. S-r Of Baltimore as Rob Roy Macgregor
done admirably, Col. We of Philadelphia as
VIM. Penn was quite effective, Col. In of
Philadelphia as the Hunter of Kentucky could
not fail to please, Mr. C-n of Pittsburg as
divine done the character full justice, and Mr..
iC-l of Philadelphia as Rolando was excellent.
But the card of the evening WINS Mr.. Mn of
Lewistown, who personated the character of
Josh Doolittle from ''away down east" and was
the observed of all observers. Everything
passed off pleasantly and the Refreshments
served up at II o'clock at night received kind
and considerate attention, after which the COM
pany retired to sleep to dream of anticipated
pleasures on the morrow.
Thursday, breakfast came snail-like on the
table, owing of course to the fatigue of the SER
wants from the previous evening" and the sun
was high in the heavens ere the appetites of
many were satisfied. Many, however, both
young and old, were early up and took their
accustomed walk to the top of the mountain be-
fore breakfast, from which there is beautiful
and extensive view. After breakfast the bowling
alley was crowded with ''6rdUe women and fair
men," and the pins and balls suffered considera-
bly, We took game with a young lady but
was badly beaten-Didn't expect any thing else.
The pistol gallery was also resorted to by many
and the tinkling of the bell by n lady fell upon
our ears ike music "upon a bank of violets, -
''and kindled rapture in the coldest eye.'
\ In the afternoon we visited the town-paid
our respects to our lady friends, and engaged a
young lady, (not for ife,) but for a ride on
horseback. Procuring several gallant steeds,
twho paved the ground with restless feet we
proceeded ON our winding way and were well
pleased with the adventure. Dancing again on
Thursday and Friday evenings, having in the
meantime pleasant buggy ride with one of the
bellies of the Springs, walk to the mountain,
baths, pistol shots, &C., sc. On Sunday fore
noon Rev. Mr.. Lyman, of Pittsburg, had divine
service in the Ladies' Drawing Room, and the
valuable assistance rendered by the choir of Ia