Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-11
.asbingtun gentinel.
From the Journal Of Commerce.
Runaway Pond.

| In the township of Glover, few miles south
of the line which divides Vermont from Canada
| there was fine sheet of water, large enough
to be denominated lake. 1t was called Glover
pond, and it remains so marked upon the map,
although but small silver brook now runs
along by the road side. The catastrophe which
beiel this peaceful little lake. giving it the sur.
| name OF RUNAWAY may be remembered by
some readers but the story will bear repeti-
ton, while something new can be added from
the lapse of years, and a survey of the rich
acres so unexpectedly added to the domain o.
the husbandman. Glover pond had for ages
slept quietly in its lofty bed, unknown to fame
till its heguG made an epoch in history. A
rim of earth confined the waters in their place
and an artificial viaduct turned the wheels o.
one or two mills that stood little distance be-
low the margin The proprietor of one of these
establishments, intending to increase the water
power in dry time, deepened the trench. The
sandy bottom gave way and suddenly the riyu
let became q river The workmen fed for
their lives, sounding the alarm to the few in
habtants below, who had barely time to escape,
some on horseback and some by foot race
leaving all their effects behind. The lake con-
verted into fugitive stream, supposed to be
about twenty feet deep, creating and finding
channel, Numbered down the valley to Barton
river and on to lake Memphremagog, unrooting
ancient forest trees leveling hillocks sixtysfeet
high, and making clean sweep of houses,
cattle, farms, and everything in its track, till
the waters were all drawn off but little strip
ling brook which marks the centre Of the quon
dam lake.
A man fishing upon the broad Memphrema
gog, ignorant Of the avalanche from Glover
pond, wondered what in nature or in reason
tha a al &c
feet. The phenomenon was explained by the
furious ingress of a truant lake mile in length,
from half to three quarters of mile in width !:
and of proportionate depth. Great havoc was
made of existing property by such an inforrna
writ OF ejectment served without notice upol
the tenants, but some good follows the revul
sions of nature The road from Glover to Bar,
ton was formerly tiresome, and a dread to the
passenger. But the lake in its transit mad,
both for itself and the traveller fine pathway
Many acres of good land were also added to
the adjacent farms by legacy at the decease OF
Glover pond. The incident which changed the
name from Glover" to Runaway" will long
90 down as traditionary legend-and when
The story is forgotten, some occupant of the soil
IN the distant future may hold a rude geologi
cal argument upon its phenomena; some af
firming that the land adjacent to the little
OTOOk tHuSC OIlCc nave DeeIl ~ JHe DOttOul OI a
lake, and others ridicuhng so absurd doc.
trine. No wonder that the marvellous changes
which have occurred on the surface of our
| globe-oceans and rivers leaving their beds,
and the bottoms of lakes emerging into vast
prairie felds-should seem incredible to unlet
tered men. The vanished lake is recorded
fact, showing that |" the fashion of the world
| passeth away" And such an incident as have
related is highly suggestive. The poet may
/ find in it theme-the natural philosopher n
treatise-the geologist chapter in his occult
| science, and the divine sermon on the insta
biity of worldly good. "The beginning Of
strife is like the setting out of waters and
whether in doing good or evil, the removal Of
barriers may lead to sudden and marvellous re
suits. TRAVELLER.