Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-06-08

the painless forests, the home of bears,
wolves and other wild beasts, and scale
the rugged cliffs and crags to the summit
of the hump, or chin; almost equal to a
trip at the present time. to the Rocky
Mountain peaks Of eternal snow. AS
years passed. the visitsto these mountains
became more frequent; the most feasible
routes were selected, and paths were worn
so that the ascent was less fatigueing, un-
til public spirited men expended small
amounts in working roads and preparing
accommodations for those who wished to
improve them. Of course these expendi-
lures did not yield speedy return of
profit, and conservatism generally pro-
nounced it boys play, If . greater
amount had been expended, making the
roads and hotels ample and complete, then
the numbers who would have rushed to
the place, to see the novelty of large
hotel on the top of the mountain, surely
would have brought return as soon as
any enterprise. AS it was, people were
necessarily cautious about undertaking
such tour; having nothing but mar
row foot path to travel in, and no cover
ing except tent or log hut, if they wish
ed to remain over night. Sometimes when
a pleasure party was climbing this " wind
ing way" in Indian fle," perhaps a
gentleman and lady in the rear ranks, I"
being more fatigued than the rest, would
be so far behind, that night overtaking
them they would lose the path, and wan
der in the dark wilderness till daylight
returned, and their companions would find
them half starved, and almost frozen with
fear About fifteen years ago party Of
young ladies and gentlemen who went to
Mansfield Mountain from Underhill,
missed their way, and soon found them
selves in painless forest in darkness and
a drenching rain. What was to be done ?
They felt their way to brook, and, be-
licving it would lead them to civilization,
they followed it; travelling in the water
the most of the way, over boulders,
through thickets, until more dead than
alive, aud almost stripped of clothing,
they found themselves at q farm house iu
Stowe, at midnight hour. Unwilling to
be seen by daylight, they procured team
to Underhill through the Winooski valley
before sunrise.
But the way is now SO much improved
that horses 60 up to the top of both Cam
els Hump and Mansfield, and carry all
who wish to ride; so that such scenes
will not be likely to occur again. The
people of Stowe being less cautious than
their ueighbors in the vicinity of Cam
els Hump, have expended hundreds of
dollars in making improvements on Mans
field Mountain. and the large hotel upon
the summit. when built was Immediately
filled to overAowing. Thus practically
demonstrating that large amount en-
ploycd in such an enterprise, pays great
err per cent profit than small one. So
soon as a sufficient amount was laid out
to make trip to the mountain comforta-
bic and easy for all classes, the weak as
we'll as the strong, it became the main.
spring of business in the village Of Stowe,
and now hundreds of men depend upon
the season of the mountain travel as
much az farmers depend upon the seasons
of seed time and harvest.
1t will be observed that more people at
the present sine, visit Mansfield than the
Hump, and this is simply because the
amount expended in making improve
ments in and about the former are SO much
superior to the latter. Going to the Hump
requires little more exertion, because
little has been expended as yet. in pre-
pairing the way when compared with the
large sums that have been laid out OH
Mansfield Mountain. Yet the way is
passablc and pleasant, and the most fee.
BILE may ride to the top with ease. The
cars stop at the base of the mountain at
Ridley's Station, and from thence car