Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-09-04
A NIGHT ON A MOUNTAIN.
ADVENTURE OF LADY.

ing overtaken by night, came near ending
fatally The letter says:
We found the drive 10 Gold Spring,
distance of eight or nine miles, full OF in
terest. the road winding through noun,
tain rayines, and often crossing the Ammo
noosuc, sometimes by bridges, but more
frequently by lording, an operation per-
formed amid many joItings, on account Of
the rapid stream. Through vast Coress
our way led, now through dark dehle,
now through the open glade, the sound Of
the rushing stream and The rustling leaves
ever in our ears. Exquisite gIimpses Of
The vale beneath Us. and the mountain a.
bove US, we caught on our upward way,
mountain rising upon mountain, ill the
tops Of the lOltiest peaks seemed lost in
the clouds. Often in narrow passes we
met parties returning from the mountains,
and as many among them were our per-
sonal friends, we stopped 10 exchange
sautatIons and good wishes. Not
till after O clock did we arrive at Colo
Spring, and there bidding goodbye to
our driver, we two, as much alone in the
vast forest as though !here were none else
beside US in the wolld, turned ouT faces
steadily toward The summit Of Mount
Washington. The guide board told us it
was "a mile and three quarters" that
guide board ought TO be indicted for tel
ling monstrous falsehood, for it must
be lhree miles, if can be any jndge OF
distance. Ii was tolsome ascent, the
trees and shrubs bemming us in, the air
close and oppressive in the extreme, and
The mosquitoes and liuIe fly annoying
US to an exlen! that became almost intol-
cradle.
| We often turned TO gaze upon the
scene below, but that consolation was
soon debarred Us, the misis and clouds ef.
fectuallv shrouding us, so that we seemed
to be walking in cloud land, gorgeous
cloud" The thunder rolled beneath us,
Ireverberating from mountain 10 mountain,
The clouds enveloped us, and the Gene be-
came grand and awful.
Rolling up and up came the clouds, ,and
then the rain beat down upon US 10 such
an extent that in FIVE minutes we were lit
orally wet though. There was no alter
native but to GO for going by the guide
board we were nearer the summit than the
shed at Cold Spring, SO on we went
though one may easily conceive that il is
not he easiest Thing in the world loI a
lady 10 walk with dripping skirts dang,
| ling around her feet.
Night came on with rapid strides, and
the path became more and more hidden
! from sight. Nature was fast becoming
exhausted, but we dared not rest. The
moments were TOO precious 10 be wasted
in stopping, even for needful rest. On
ward and upward we toiled, but, on my
part, with fast diminishing strength Of
body and mind. The path became more
and more toilsome; and soft earth being
replaced by Jagged rocks and stones, that
wounded my feet at every step. Just as
! | thought we had reached the top, and
hauered myself that the summit House
would soon meet my longing gaze, anolh-
er peak would loom up amid the haze,
and | knew that too, must be surmounted, e,
ere the needful rest could be obtained. In
vain we shouted for help; our voices rung
out in The ali, but brought back no re-
spOnsO save their own echo. | remem-
bered the sad fate of her, who two years
ago, lost her life near this very spot,
caught as we had been, by night and
storm oyertaking them. In vain | urged
my companion TO leave me under the
shelter Of rock, and GO while his own
strength lasted, to The summit, and send
back assistance 10 me, but 10 this he
would not hear. He dared not leave me,
for fear Of losing his own way. aud of not
being able to find me again. No; we
must 90 on together for veal or for woe,
dragged myself along, one foot slowly
following another, often staggering and
falling PROSTATE over the rocks till could
not move another step, but sank down
completely exhausted and desPalring. |
was too weak, TOO utterly worn, even to
lhiak.
Just then, oh. joyful sound, Mr., -,
who was in advance, exclaimed that he
saw light ahead and that the house
must be nigh at hand. Even 'his gave
me no sirengih-I was too far gone TO
move without help. Again and again my
companion, who held out to the very last
shouted, and at length his shouts were
heard and nswered. After little, emer-
ging from the clouds as it seemed, came
The dim outlines of human forms, ana IN
a moment we were surrounded by three
men, who took turns in carrying me the
next half mile, till we reached the Sum
NIT House. This morning one OF inc
men showed me the spot where ne pick
ed me up, and where he had erected
pile of stones 10 CONNIE morate the event.
am free 10 say that | could not help