Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-09-24
A PEDESTRIAN TOUR IN MAINE.

Mo0SEHEAD LAKE, Aug. u, 1909.
Our journey from Pennington was exceed
ingly pleasant. After walking over rolling
hills, through wild and picturesque scenery,
we met the Kennebec at Arson. So complete.
ly had the river won our regard, that it seemed
like meeting an old friend. 1t came winding
among the hills, and with steady flow passed
by: We followed up the wcstbank to ferry.
The ferryman was taking tea in a house, close
by, when we arrived, and it was not till after
a great deal of shouting and decided demon
STATIONS of going it on our own hook, that he
attended to our wants. A road follows the
east bank of the river to Moosehead Lake.
From the forks it is thinly settled, however,
and difficult of travel, except when the ponds
and marshes over which it passes are frozen.
Consequently we took direct course through
the country. AS we drew north the atmos-
phere perceptibly changed. The nights and
mornings were cool, even chilly; but the
same wooden clothing that in the middle of the
day preserved an even temperament, by alb
sorbing perspration, was equally beneficial in
retaining warmth. The bfacing air stimula-
ted us with new life. Our pulse beat to a
healthy flow of spirits, and at every step we
rejoiced in the freedom of the country. 1t is
quite immaterial to us whom we meet, or
whittier they are going Among farmers, we
never fail to interest ourselves in their affairs,
and have learned much of their mode of agri-
culture. Country taverns swing out their
signs in every village. Most of them are old
fashioned, but they furnish wholesome food
and clean beds. Stage drivers, traders, and
villagers, assemble here, and the stories they
tell, and the life they lead, is often amusing.
A scene at one of these inns whore
we tarried a night or two since, is
worthy of description. The class just
mentioned occupied the bar-room which was
quaint and dingy. Rough beams crossed
over head, and the floor was sunken and worn
with age. 1t was a chilly evening, ard a rous-
ing fire cracked up the chimney. While all
were engaged in smoking and conversation,
the door opened, and in walked large man,
with long hair and beard who, after feeling
his way round with cane, seated himself by
the fire. His manner was eccentric, but his
conversation interesting. We learned he had
ago, but he possesses happy disposition, and
is the oracle of the neighborhood. The land
lord was away, and his son-in, law, a dashing
young fellow, had taken his place. On this
particular evening he had imbibed too freely.
and feeling merry, declared his wish to see
others so. The bottle went round till its con-
tents were emptied, and the company soon
wanted music. A violin was passed to the
blind man, who fiddled as though he knew
how, and set them all on tip-toe. They began
to sing, and he fddled the faster. AS we left
the room, we took final look at the motley
group. The fire snapped and blazed brightly.
By it sat the old man fiddling with vengeance.
A dozen forms were whrling through the
room, while the rest, laughing and smoking,
clapped their hands to the music, and cbeered
the dancers on. Long after we had retired we
heard shouts of laughter from below. The
country grew wild and rugged as we advanced.
The road leads over high hills and through
deep valleys. Cleared spots, and farm houses
on the mountain sides gradually lessened in
number, and in their stead grow dense forests.
For the first time since starting we saw log
houses. A few acres of woods are cleared
and having been burned, appear as though
blighted by heaven. In the center stands the
hut. On one side of this between stones and
black stumps, is planted a field of corn:
on the opposite patch of potatoes; and
back of the house, a few acres of grain.
Surrounding all, is the toughest kind of
pasture land, in which sheep, cattle, and
hogs, may be seen feeding. The barns are
low and built of logs. Generally the hay
is stacked. The produce not used on the farm
is sold to the lumbermen on their way to the
woods. We stopped at one of these houses
for drink Of water, though more to see the
inside. The walls were lined with peeled
bark, and though small the room was neata and
Clean The inmates appeared civil and hospi-
table. Both the children and their elders were
good looking, and we judged were new set
tiers. From Mount RUSSELL the view over
hills, woods, and lakes, was wild in the ex.
IRENE. Farmers have availed themselves of
the dry weather, and are everywhere burning
over their land. We counted thirty-two fires
ascending from the mountains, strikngly re-
minding one of a country of volcanoes. We
have passed several places on the way, where
the soil gave evidence of coal and iron. Par
tridges frequently cross our track, and step
ping cautiously, trout may be seen swimming
in the clear waters of the brooks. Here, at the
lake, we are enjoying short season, before
starting on our voyage through the woods to
Mount Katahdin and Bangor. We have en-.
gagged an Indian and his canoe, and for the
next ten days. shall probably see more of wild
animals than human beings. BY the light of
our camp fires we will let you know further
of our wanderings HOMER