Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-07-12
From the Mountains.

From the Mountains. 1-'G
The following is from lady who is rus
ticating in the country, and was written to
friend here who has furnished it to us for
publication:
MOUNT OL1vET, CUMBERLAND RANGE Z. T.,
'.- July 3d. 1871.
DEAR FRIEND Feeling assured that
you and other friends in the city will like
to hear that, though surrounded by the
beasts of the forest, the most formidable
of which, that have yet crossed our path
or come near our dwelling, are rattle
snakes, ticks and chiggers, we are still alive
After bidding you goodbye at the depot.
our journey to Loudon was uninterrupted
by any incident of note. We crossed that
long, high bridge without accident, rested
an hour or two, then walked down to the
river to wait for our boat. The evening
was mild and sweet, and as we sat on the
bank enjoying its tranquilizing influences,
awaiting the arrival of the rest of our
party who were visiting in the town, we
gave care the go-by and resolved to enjoy
high life all in blissful ignorance of q
gOodly number of poor relations already
settled upon the mountain top anxiously
anticipating our arrival, to judge from the
eagerness with which they welcomed us
but let us not anticipate. While we sat
watching the glory of the sunset glittering
across the waters, white mist came steal
ing among the trees around the bend of the
river, and shrill whistle announced the
approach of our little steamer, the Hugh
Martin" The scene was one of great
loveliness. The river curving gracefully
away on the right hand and on the left
the ripping of its wavelets murmuring
only of peace and content in fulfilling its
fha nj ito mo rfvin
with its perfect reflection in the water,
seemed a beautiful belt of embroidery
drawn across the sky, separating the true
from the seeming, each dainty cloudlet rest
ing as truthfully on the bosom of the waves
as on its native blue; the steamer, right
proud looking little thing, gliding with
graceful ease around the point beyond
which the river swept away from
our view; and one or two light
skiffs Swimming. lightly here and there,
gave life to the picture. The beauty of the
sunset faded, the trees donned shadowy
robes, the steamer landed, our friends ar
rived and we went aboard. Some of our
poor relations before alluded to, had come
that distance to meet us and forthwith be-
gan earressing us with such sharp little
kisses, we were fain to seek means of self
defence, and fastened to get our fans for
the more we repealed them the more de-
termined they seemed to stick to us.
Another pretty picture was dashed upon
the canvass by the quick and skillful hand
of nature-a silver crescent. accompanied
by the beautiful evening star, hung, silent
and motionless in the upper deep, but
danced with fantastic grace upon the mir
roring waters. Then hush came with the
darkness, and we found Morpheus was q
fellow passenger, for soft finger laid upon
each weary eyelid awoke it to visions of
the night, while stirred natures sweet
restorer, balmy sleep" gave us to rest. The
morning dawned softly and beautiful upon
the waters our little steamer turned about
to retrace her steps down the river. We
breakfasted and betook us to the deck,
where we sat looking at the pretty pictures
of nature with lavish hand, exhibited to
to our admiring gaze. We went ashore
when the boat touched at Kingston, took
drink from bubbling spring, looked at
a new boat in process of building and
steamed away again.
About 10 "A NJ, we reached lockwood
landing, disembarked and found two spe-
cial trains awaiting us, passenger and q
freight, each consisting of one ear drawn
by novel locomotive power in the shape
of those highly respected animals, termed
in our vernacular, mules. Two of these
slightly quadrupeds hitched, one behind
the other to each car, the track being just
wide enough to accommodate them COM
fortably. We got our baggage and our
selves slowed away on board, and gave
ourselves upto q jolly trot, with mirth and
song making the woods ring and the ma
tive stare, our mules preserving sufficient
gravity and dignity to make our appear
ance respectable and attractive. 49,.
We halted at Gold Water" one of our
way-stations, and drank from a sparkling
fountain such pure, cool, refreshing |
draughts as "pure lake ice" cannot afford |
YOU Knoxvillians. At Blackberry Station |
our next halt was made, and twenty min |
utes allowed by our obliging conductor for |
refreshments. Of course there was rush |
of passengers and every one scrambled in
to a blackberry bush for himself, where he |
was abundantly served with scratches and |
bitter black berries. Having RECALLED our
selves with an elegant sufficiency" of
these luxuries, we obeyed the summons
"All aboard,n and resumed our journey.
About noon we arrived at lockwood. The |
city is about three miles inland. Here we |
stopped for dinner. The hotel and good |
dinner were presided over by a fat lady:
After dinner we went into Cincinnati
store where we found a large and we'll as
sorted stock of goods we could call for
nothing that was not to be had. The
merchants were polite, clever and efhclent.
Having purchased of good things needful,
a quantity limited by compassion for our
Ionono otivas we heUan the ascent of the |