Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-10-08

England, we passed along on the banks Ot
Johns river. now and then in full view
Of luxuriant oat fields and long potato
patches planted for starch Factories, which
greatly abound in that region. Then
passing rapidly over hill and through
dale we reached the Ammonoosuck riy-
err. that picturesque and romantic stream
much frequented by the unciyiized In
diaus. the aborigines OF our extended ter
ritory, who gave peculiar names to moan
tains and rivers Passing along some
four miles on the banks of this wild cha
otic stream, never TO be Of any special
benefit to civilization except as furnishing
mere water power. We arrived at the
old Fabyan stand, which, for many years
was the starting point Of the noted bride
path to the summit Of Washington.
From this long frcquented place to the
foot of the mount, the road (six niles and
halo is private property, regular
turnpike This passage extends though
n dense forest.
The profound slumbers Of this forest
land had never been disturbed 10y the
sound of the woodlands axe until about
three years since. Hauling up our steeds
at the entrance gate OF this new passage
way, and procuring of the tax gathcrcr, -
right to pass over it, by paying fifty cts.
per horse and carriage and fifty cents tor
each person in the carriage, we fastened
on 10 the depot. where Is exhibited ll2
eighth wonder OF the world. The ascent
of Mt. Washington commences about one
mile and a half before we reach this
place.
After having taken pleasant morning
ride of twenty seven miles, n distance
sufficiently long to sharpen the appetite
for breakfast, we arrived AT the end OF
our carriage road, at halfpast nine o'clock.
Here we found the first rude beginning
of civilization, the work of a years toll.
A few acres of primeval forest had been
cleared Piles OF brushwood and larger
timber burning, which afforded suili-
cipnt amount of smoke and cinders tn
protect all visitors from the annoyance OF
vexatious mosquitoes and the black flies,
that have peculiar relish for n persons
blood. A cheaply constructed saw mill
has been erected, very essential thing
for men who think To make Il home in the
wilderness. There is also n large cheap
ly furnished stable for the comfort OF the
many beasts OF burden that bring in from
the outer world, the seekers of pleasure,
and the needful supplies.
There is house.of entertainment, not
vet a rival of the Glen House or even the
Alpine House, either in SpaciousneNs or
in elegance. There is also depot, tel
egrsph office, n machine shop. and oiher
buildings ot less value.
Soon after our arrival mnHT others
came pouring in from tilc '.. 'r"'" .
House. Litllc,on. Lancaster and CAIRO
all alike having in mind To ascend a.
among the clouds by steam instead %. ~
Two trains of cars were Standing 'n o."
rail track. read, Tor operation. Each
train comprised OF one engine and one
car
The mass as they arrived, came rushing
onward over rocks, and s:umps, and hill
locks. each one fearing that he should not
get a comfortable seat. Although IN each
car only forty-eight seats are furnished
si,,v persons were crowded into each.
The oyerseer of the repair shop was oi
the opinion that the loads were too heavy
for the strength ofthe propelling machine.
But rs the Company were in the love oi
money, which is the root OF all evil, and
the passengers were in earnest TO: ride,
nothing was said about reducing the
number of people
At twenty minutes before II O'Clock the
steam was raised, and the ears began to
ascend with heavier loads then had eret
before been carried up. A the pasSrn-
pers alike were utterly unacquaintcd
with this new and irightlul way of being
projected upward by steam; they hnshed
into peaceful silence. Their eyesight be-
came much keener and their pulse beat
quicker through suppressed emotions of
fear. After ascending slowly and steadi-
" for short time, on heavy grade OF
one foot upward to every three or four
feet onward, all fear was gone and the
passengers enjoyed richly this new mode
of ascending the mountain. The paSsen-
oers of The car we occupied amused them
selves for a short time in ascertainlng
how many States were represented 10y
them in that single car; sixteen States
and one Territory. had an undivided
share in that live freight, which were the
following: Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts,, New York,
New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania,
Kansas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois,
Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and
Montana.
We passed up very quietly and pleas
emily to the first watering station, arriv-
ing twenty minutes past eleven o'clock.
Here the trains halted, took in water and
again started on our onward and upward
march, The passengers were all the
while delighted with the grand natural
panorama spread out before them. But
wh;,o ,bev were all life and animation,