Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-15
letter from COopersIoyvn.
COoPERsTowN, n. Y, Sept. 4

Editor Rutland Herald When | am
rambling among the beautiful objects and
features of the natural world, it is rather
pleasant to sit down and talk to my friend
about it, with pen. So [ address you.
OF course I have your sympathies at this
season Of the year. Summer fingers to
distinguish the inauguration of autumn.
And L guess the apples will have some
fairer roses on their cheeks for these latest
kisses of the summers sun.
As all readers of the better class of fic-
tion know, this place was the residence of
Fennimore Cooper, the author of THE
British Spy" The Pioneers" Last of the
Mohicans," etc, etc.
In memory of him, some of the streets
Of this old village are named after
his books, or the characters drawn on
their p 1ges. Hence Cooperstown has its
Misunderstanding and also its Pioneer
street A large and fine hotel, designed
to accommodate summer boarders, is called
the Cooper House. And yet the old Coo
D'A EIAG9 10 u III 'cS OA l uAIe. Tue GIOuhdS
oeinz neglected and overruu to some extent
with mis-hapen and uusightly bushes, in
gloriously located amid the weeds of an
uncul'ivtted waste THE estate, consist
ing Of some two acres, lies in the very
heart Of the village. 1t il perhaps but
Justice to the family of the novelist for
me to say that the estate has passt d into
other hands, which, by the way, are able
TO make it charming memorial Of the
dead. Miss Susan Fennimore Cooper, the
daughter resides in neat cottage, situ-
ated very near the Ike. She is also an
author, in different sphere it is true, yet
possessing unmistakable marks Of her dis
tinguished parentage.
Cooperstown is made almost peerless in
portion of its charms by the beautiful
Orsego Lake, which lies on one side of the
village It l. a sheet Of water extending
nine miles, and possessing hue very
much like that of the Atlantic Ocean,
which | am permitted to look upon now
and tder. 1t Il singular INT iUr fIrrlI
water, and yet it is attractive as adding
variety the zornory vf the lnva1ity, with
its ragged, wooded hills on either side.
There are several places on the shore of
the lake at which the land PROJECTS into
the water somewhat in the form Of a pen
These are called 'points," aud are named
One Mile, Two Mile and Three Mile
Poiuts, according 10 their several distAn-
ces from the village. In the summer, ro-
wing parties find these "points" very
axreeable, as furnishing opportunities
for picnias One Of these it was
my good fortune to enjoy the other day
With two light boats for carriages, the
party proceeded up the lake, until the
gentlemen and ladies reached Three
Mile Point. There we found tables sll
ready fer u, upon grass covered soil,
shaded by trpcs. almost on the shore On
the other sid Of the lake Mt Vision
lowered up before the eye in all it's ma
je~ry. completely covered with beautiful
trees. Some distance to the right we
could almost see the monuments of Lake |
wood Cemetry, where the historian of
leather Stocking has his grave The
water was very still, and for six miles we
could discern every feature of the chang
ing landscape. With pull at the oars
until W had measured our six miles, and
a finely relished dinner, little chit-chat
with the ladies, comfortable dish of con-
IS GG,1 -
ants. we managed to pass a delightful
day And in very quiet way we voted
Otscgo Lake the most charming body of
water we had ever seen, and in this we
hai the fully expressed sympathy of all
This village as I have minated is
rather old. 1t has a look of weariness, as
If it was tired OF life. The new railroad,
little more than a year ago,
has made a stir here. Thei ilpeople are
looking up. A very large new hotel
building is rising upon the main street |
The old stores of the grandfathers are
giving place to new ones, aud If the
whistle keeps up its terribly shrill blasts,
1t may be that the town will doff its
country wardrobe altogether, and don a |
sort of cityish suit. New York and AL |
hany are already coming here gin squads,
and are drinking in the summer glories of
the place. They are very wise in 50 doing
for the air is pure, nature smiles very
prettily, and the old town has welcome
in its face for every new conner. 1t is now
easy of access by way of the Albany and |
Susquehanna, and the Cooperstown and
Valley Railroads.
Sometimes I find it relief to welcome
the morning of that day on which am to
turn my back on a town. This time 1
look fondly back as I wend my way to the
depot. So will all do who come here to
enjoy simple charms and a health in
vigorating atmosphere.
But l am running on, and seem to hear
the HERALD whistle calling me to put
on the brakes, for the time has come to
deliver baggage at the station of the
editor, and thousands will soon be wait
ing for the newa.
Ut Semper,
j. P. j.