Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-10-06
Hiscellanu.

an Island of solid limestone rock, with
a shallow, rich surface of earth, cover
ed with forest and other trees, contain
ing five acres of land, known as Gibral-
ter Island. 1t was purchased in 1866
for s3,00l, by Jay Cooke, Esq, who
has constructed on its eastern end very
handsome rough stone country house,
with high tower and suitable out-houses.
1t is solid and elegant, but unostenta-
tious. To the east of the house is the
most elevated point of the island, which
is a jutting, rocky altitude of forty-two
feet above the lake, and is the point
from which Perry kept his vigilant look
out for Barclay and his British fleet,
and from this historic circumstance 1t is
called "Perry's Lookout" On the top,
which is broad and spacious, are seats
which command beautiful and extended
views of the bay and lake. On the Is
land are grazing, cattle and horses, and
chickens and other domestic fowls are to
oe seen. Mr.. Cooke had deer, but he
found it impossible to keep them, as they
were sure to swim to the adjoining islands
and stray away. He has a complete
boat house, filed with every description
of water craft that is known on the lake.
Many of them are beautifully painted
and decorated with flags. He has a
genuine Indian canoe about twenty feet
long, weighs only 100 pounds, of exqu:s-
tie workmanship, and brought from the
upper lakes His dairy is complete in
all its arrangements. The island is OBJ
long in its shape, and slopes towards its
western end to the waters edge. There
is evidently studied endeavor ON Mr..
Cookies part to make his island appear
as natural as possible; hence, he has no
fnery, no landscape gardening, no flow
er beds, in fact he has only called in the
hand of man to build his dwelling, boat
house, dairy, a few rustic bowers, and
one or two walks. As one rows round
the rocky shores of this beautiful island
he goes in and out various little hooks
and recesses, where the water is deep,
but so clear as to make the pebbles and
rocks plainly perceptible. One is called
the Lovers Retreat and is, as lovers
retreat should be, very much retired
and obscured from view. The oarsman
remarked that he had witnessed some
queer sights in the retreat Ito which we
were then going), and that he would run
the boat swiftly and suddenly around a
corner in order to surprise any chance
party that might happen to be there.
With the cunning hand and unerring
skill of the weather beaten and expert
enced oarsman, he accordingly shot the
boat around the projecting ledge of rock !;
and sure enough, upon the back seat of
boat, which was in the furthest recess
es OF the retreat, sat a young man of
nineteen or twenty summers and young
damsel nearly the same age. Looking
up and seeing US, they drew their heads
apart, unlocked their arms and sat in
great confusion, as red as strawberries.
The atmosphere IN that grotto was cool
and invlgorating, but the youth was
perspiring great drops, which stood out
like immense beads on his forehead.
On this island, had almost forgotten
to say, Mr.. Cooke spends part of the
summer and autumn. Here he brings
his big friends from Washington, New
York and Liverpool, and gives them
line dinners, and fine catching. During
the entire year the house is tolerably fill
ed with clergymen, who are too poor
themselves to afford the expense of rec
reation. As l passed the house | glanced
In at the window Of the room containing
his rare and extensive collection of books.
and there | saw two old gray heads, two
mild, soft countenances of two clergymen
engaged in the perusal, no doubt, of ho-
ly and godly works. The Isolation and
solitude of this island, and the elegance
OF the room, presented picture of lux
ury and peace such as | have never be-
fore seen.-LoatisUiHe Ledger.
SOME Coon ADvIoE.-Look most to
your spending. No matter what comes