The Portland daily press., 1866-10-18
The Weather in Bethei, and Other
Matters.
BETHEL HILL, Oct. Is, 1866.

~ -SO"'
To THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS:
| The weather is trite subject but as it is
the one regularly instituted and set apart for
opening conversation, allow me to avail myself
of it now, upon this, my introduction to your
large circle of friends, Mr.. Editor, and tell
them and you all about how rainy it has been
up here in Bethel, and how beautifully it has
cleared off Our weather has been so pecu-
liar, too, I'm quite sure a description of it
would interest by its striking contrast with
everybody else's weather Why, the first part
of the season was SO early that if the month
of June had been accidentally christened
April at its BIRTH from its after conduct, no
one would have mistrusted the mistake, while
the months of August and September have
been SO late that they might well have palmed
themselves off for the extreme old age of the
year, with its cold benumbed limbs lust a.
dying.
Bethel is one of the most hospitable places in
the world No one can fail to be pleased with
the universal courtesy which, together with
these grand old hills, has made Bethel so
well and favorably known. But though the
people of Bethel cannot be inhospitable, its
mountains can, and are sometimes when they
wrap themselves in their loose morning robes,
apd remain careless of time, refusing to see
visitors altogether. And, too, sunshine upon
mems faces has an intimate connection with
the state of the weather Come down of
morning to the elegant table of the "Chandler
House" or to the genial breakfast of Chap
mans, and note how syour neighbor's counte-
nance reflects the world of out of doors. Sun
light is fiuttering through the shrubbery at
the open window and dancing upon the floor;
smiles bubble up all around that young lady's
lips, and conscious joy laughs in her eye. Its
beams struggle through tightly closed win
dows and fall shivering along the wall; the
girl is cold as ice and seems consciously desir-
Gus of curling herself into nonentity. Again,
a dense fog rests upon the hills and closes down
around us; dissatisfaction and expectancy
seem to strive for mastery upon the young face;
let the clouds begin to drop rain; petulant dis
appointment reigns there now, and blots out
the smiling record of brighter sky. Hence
those persons whose Impressions of Bethel
have been made by the incessant beating of
rain-drops during great part of this season.
will need to remodel them for clearer sky
esAAA
our rainy season is over, and judge whether
there be lovelier place in the world than Beth
81 in October. The ripening leaves are now at
their gayest. Seldom is surpassed the splendor
of this autumnal scene from my window. The
hills are gorgeous with the red and yellow of
the naples, intermingled with the brown elms,
and the yet dark green of the oaks. And these
soft, balmy days have about them all the Ian
gushing grace and pensive fascination of the
tabled East. There is mild intoxication in
their breath, and in their voice a sad. indie !
scribable music, which to Chin who can inter /
pref its spirit, sounds like far-off echoes of the
Ong-ago.
Most OF our summer visitors left us with the /
butterflies. Those who remained are now
reaping the reward of waiting, and will carry
away pleasant memories. -ll i
Affairs about our town are progressing: The
academy seems furnishing and promises as
we'll as any in the State. Robert Chapman's
new store is nearly completed. A fine new
'chool-house in the lower district was dedieat-
I'd a few evenings since by appropriate re-
marks from DIR. True, Rev. Mr.. Garland and
Rev. Mr. Rideout. DIR. True has commenced
MS course OF lectures on Geology at Paris,
with very fattering success. The farmers
nereabouts are raising more hops than ever be-
lore The yield this year is fair, the quality
excellent, though some fields have been in
ared through standing too Tonga circu,n-
stance which shows the extent of the business
when we take into consideration that thou
'and or more people have been engaged in
picking them in this town alone. In Other
Kings the harvest is very good. Sweet mealy
potatoes, large, mellow apples &c. g.. are in
orofusion fyou don't believe it, or if You do,
y n ISL come and see and know personally how
3ethel fares in October, is the sincere invita-
ion Oh your irlend vi9d SNCERUs