Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-06-27
Gotal skettbes,
Denmark. LOceit, dc.

County. and made note of certain real
tiles. Us follows;
One is emphatieally reminded OF the
old countries OF Europe as he travels
through Oxford, Norway, Sweden and
Denmark, in Oxford county This ieel
ing was greatly increased as We took
ride up into gorge of Pleasant Noun
tain in the latter town. As We followed
the old road that leads to the top OF the
mountain, we obtained splendid views OF
the farms along the Saco river, as we'll as
the distant mountains in New Hamp-
shire.
Calling at the last house among the
mountains, we met man whose history
is strange one. He said that his moth
er was an Englishwoman, the daughter
Of Thomas Kemble, the proprietor of
the London Theatre many years ago,
and that Fanny Kemble was his cousin.
He left home at the age of fourteen. and
followed the sea. He first came to Bath.
Me-, with Capt. Curtis. who promised to
educate him and return him to his native
land, but he chose, soon after. to take
care of himself. While at Gibraltar he
exchanged places with another sailor.
and his name for that OF Charles Lewis,
which he had recognized ever since.
While in Alexandria, in Egypt. the
cholera carried off forty thousand PEG
pie in tweniy.one days. and among them
the crew to which he belonged. His
father was Welchman. and he was born
In Wales. but was unacquainted with the
WEIGH language. He had lived on the
side of Pleasant Mountain with his family
for thirty years. and seems to be simple
and honest-hearted man. Strange hiog-
raphies OF men are everywhere, still
unwritten. and his is one of them. We
followed him TO place on the side OF
the mountain where he obtained speci-
mems OF smoky quartz. and gathering
what few We could find. returned nome
ward.
1t is contemplated to build another
house on the summit OF Pleasant Noun.
tain to take the place of the one burned
q few years since. 1t may assist the
memory 10 know that the latitude of It
degrees runs exactly over this mountain
as determined by the Coast Survey. II
is said that seventy ponds and lakes can
be counted from its summit. Its isolated
position renders the prospect exceeding
ly interesting, snd the completion OF the
P. & o. r. r. TO this place renders
1t very accessible. Trout abound in the
streams and the romantic and health
inspiring feeling one derives among
natures solitudes will always make such
places attractive.
Harvesting up Bessie Morgan We left
Fryeburg for this place. Reaching the
covered bridge which spans the old
channel of the Saco river, We met +. c.
Harrington. Esq. who resides here.
Expressing desire to rest little and
catch pickerel. he at once invited US
to step into his boat, and in trice we
were floating down the river. How we
wished that we could write out the scenes
enacted here two centuries ago.-the
land occupied by q strange people with
a strange language. Game on the
shore and fish in the rivers and ponds
were abundant.
Soon we threw out our line hoping to
feel that peculiar thrill which fine bite
OF q picksrel always produces, and which
sends fresh blood to our brain. One OF
the best antidotes for weary bIain. is
the sudden diversion of the thoughts
from our ordinary pursuits to something
little exciting to the mind. \ bite from
a huge pickerel will produce this in
most minds. We trolled along our bait
where pickerel were supposed 10 be
plenty, till our patience and faith were
well-nigh exhausted. when all of a
sudden We felt bite. What a moment
that is when ell our thoughts ars sudden
ly concentrated on one point We failed
10 secure him. but we had all abundant
assurance from our faithful pilot that we
should get him. Throwing out our line
again. the foolish fellow took sharkish
hold of the hook. and we landed HIM
safely in tho boat. Floating down the
river We assembled a small stream full of
little coves and bends where we obtained
enough for good breakfast for all that
loved them.
Much has been said against the pick.
erel, but they furnish many 4 good meal
in the inland towns. aad an excellent
sport. We have little faith that where
they are introduced they will be exter-
minated So Us to give place to anything
better. This river and the Kezar ponds
in the vicinity. abound in pickerel which
are caught in large quantities.
Bidding adieu to our kind host and
hostess, we started for Lowell Centre,
distant about three miles. This is one
of the spots in Oxford county we had
never visited, though we had been all
around it. We were surprised 10 find it
so pleasant. The road runs along par.
allel with the Great Kezar pond at
considerable elevation above il, giving
US 3 SPLENDID view of the pond and the
mountain country in the distance. The
land is covered with fine farms and farm
dwellings betokening an air of thrift and
intelligence. Two churches and a good