The Portland daily press., 1862-09-11
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For the Press
Excursion to the Mountains.
Trip TO M. Washington-Gorhdm, ". H.
to the Glen House-bedtess tourists-up the
ne,o carriage rodd-the ascent snop bank
Tip Top House-tltnner among the clouds
sublime rie,c-heroic duty-stereoscope-
the fearful descent-sgfety home
What say you to a trip to Mt. Washington,
to-day, witha select party ofcongenal friends?
Thes are bright beyond those feecy clouds,
and although the summit may be enveloped in
fog, the wind blows freshly from the north
west, and ere we reach the Glen House, the
view will doubtless be clear. You say yes?
Well then be at the Grand Trunk depot, at
IA and we will be off. Be careful as you
pack your trunk to put in coats, shawls, and
extra warm clothing, beyond what the ther-
mometer and your present feelings indicate as
necessary to-day, for those who have been
there tell us we may need them, as the height
TO which we propose to ascend is more than
six thousand feet above the waters in Casco
Bay, and kind Sol may find his efforts to warm
us less effective at such an altitude, where his
genial rays and vivifying influences are so
thoroughly neutralized by the rarefaction of
the air, and the heavy breath of old Boreas
as it sweeps in fitful gusts, around the noun
tain heights.
Well, here we are at the depot. Our ever
obliging friend Mace had his coach heavily
loaded this time-good enough for him; he de-
serves it every day. All aboard! rings the
stentorian voice of conductor Could've are
off-station after station is passed In rapid sue
cession, at Danville Junction our long train
is cut asunder, and our Bangor friends switched
off for their destination. while we push on
among the Oxford hills, and along the valley
of the Androscoggin to the Alpine House, at
Gorham Station, N. ii. 1t is only six p. NJ,
and here stand several coaches with six horses
attached ready to take us to the Glen House,
eight miles on our route from here, in time for
supper. Shall we 60 up there tonight or wait
till morning? This is fine large hotel, and
judging by the multitude of ladies and gentle
men, children and nurses who throng the piaz-
zas and adjacent grounds, rest and enjoyment
may be found here among the happy throng.
Go on, you say? Well so be it. Our ladies will
oC coihCWuat WCaiiCus Dut VIC Siidit lldft tuc
day before us tomorrow for the ascent of Mt.
Washington. Drivers, please make room for
our party. See that those heavy Saratoga
trunks are on, they are indispensable youknow
for ladies on 4 summer tour. There, we are
ready, and dashing up the Glen road. Those
lofty peaks that ever and anon catch the view
as we wind up the ravine, are Mt. Adams and
Mt. Jefferson. Mt. Washington is much high
er aud not yet visible. His head may be seen
In the morning, ifclear from the Glen House.
Now we dash along, Our John we hope is
careful for he plunges headlong through the
gorge and seems to know where he is going,
though we can see nothing but the forest on
either side, the branches brushing our vehicle,
and the sky above US, while the rippling of the
stream far down the steep declivity, tells us
what would be our probable fate If horse
should stumble, or wheel run off the bank
But we trust to the experience of the coach
man, and kind Providence, that all is safe
Whoa! What now? Why stop here? Our
thoughts involuntarily recur to the stories we
have read of Mexican brigands, stopping the
coaches and robbing the passengers in some
wild mountain pass. In our case the demand
Is not your money or your life but instead,
"Your fare If you please, ,one dollar each" Our
fares are all payed our pockets relieved Of that
amount, John mounts his box again, the crack
Of his long whip echoes along the ravine as he
urges up the narrow glen the foaming steeds,
palatial mansion with the piazza swarming
with people, shows itself through the twilight
in the dim distance, and here we are at the
Glen House, eight miles from Gorham.
We have come with the throng, have met a
throng here, and must share with them the in
conveniences as well as pleasures of the tour.
The clerk with smile, politely informs us he
cannot supply room in addition to those al
ready engaged What shall we do? Here are
forty new corners he can eat us all but cannot
sleep us. We must stay; no going backwards.
See here, that party from Boston and Concord
secured their rooms in advance by telegram
gentleman is now entering their names, and
Will be ready with pen in hand, to enter our
party next. We may secure rooms by little
engineering, our ladies must be cared for If we
are not,-we will take supper, and see how
matters shape. Well, we have secured rooms,
tno matter howl while a score of others will
sleep on cots and carpets as best they can.
Wen sit awhile with the gay throng in the
parlor, retire early, and be ready forthe ascent
at eight in the morning.