Litchfield enquirer., 1857-06-18

and disappeared by the fence, as my horse resumed
his trot at the top of the hill had now reached
the summit of the long ACTIVITY to the porth Of Co
shen and before lay that most beautiful of noun
tain prospects, formed by the dark and irregular
chain of hills which stretches away to the north
1 stopped my horse by the wild brook that here
dashes the rocks and be INDUCED himself in
its sparkling DEPTH or placed his foot upon the
bank and nimbled at the heritage, .gazed off npon
the iron hills about whose heads curled vast col
umns of smoke, losing itself far away in the north
iefn sky. At their base, glimmering in the sun.
were scattered farm houses. and near to the river
below marked the chimney of the iron works and
the numerous wagons deflng through the valley.
Remembering there was sunny nook to the west of
these hills, pleasant valley stretching northerly
through Salisbury Sheffield and Darlington, turned
from the main road at the little village of Hunts
vilie and soon found myself blundering over the
deep ruts worn by the passing Of the loaded ole
teams on their way from the beds to the furnaces.
Here learned the truth of the remark of some one
familiar with the roads about these hills, viz -
& That there are but two things which will compel
man to cross them in a wagon-a pretty girl and an
unpaid bank note Both being entirely out of our
line of business and thought, We Endured martyr
dom Tor some two hours, our horse now 1eaping a
ditch, now wollowing through slongh now blum
dering over a.rock, and at length sliding down a
steep bank which we had assembled in an endeavor
to avoid long and disagreeabc line Of ore wagons
So long were we delayed by the horrid nature of
the roads, and the necessities of a hungry stomach
| we found the sun getting behind the hills ere our
horse took his way up the valley. Winding along
the base of the dark mountains, whose tops were
now glimmerng in the evening sum- lies the valley
road to Massachusetts, a more beautiful road
it has scarcely been lot to travel in all our wan
derings Stretching out from the foot of this chain
of hills are grand meadows which form the boundary
line between Connecticut New York and Massachu
sets In point of productiveness they are une-
ualled by any portion of cur state. The mountains
about whose heads curls the smoke of the col
licries, deep ribbed and interlaced with beds of
iron and look down upon you with heavy frown as
you pass.
Entering the State of Massachusetts you perceive
decided change in the rural districts, the farms
have more cultivated appearance, the orchards are
more thrifty, the out houses are better arranged
keePlhS everything under cover. The fences and
houses bespeaking combination of taste and con-
venience in their erection. The season along this
valley was at least two weeks in advance of other
portions of Ltchfeld County cherry and plum
trees had shed their blossoms, aud drifting like
SHOW fakes, the apple blows foatcd through the
orchards. Stock also had an improved look the
herds that passed you gave evidence of blood, and
their coats showed plainly that they were we'll cared
for.
The shadows had long vanished from the hill
sides, save the faint tracery of tree and wood the
moon left on the grass, when passed the lower
part of Great Darlington, and entered upon the
main thoroughfarc to the town. It was too dark
for many observations and having ridden some fifty
miles both man and horse med more inclined for
rest than gazing over the fields. And as the days
journey soor completed, and we soon soundy
snoring, with the moon resting on our beds
covcrlid, leave the story of the ride to be com
pleteu next week,