Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-09-14

VACATION.
RUMFoRD CORNER, Sep

RUMFoRD CORNER, Sept. II.
We reached here last night, after an inter
esting ride of about 90 miles up the Andres
coggin Valley. The day was overcast but
not wet or cold, the atmosphere was Just OF
the right temperature for riding, and the
scenery never looked more lovely. The pic
quresue liver which meanders amongst these
hills and mountains, lis unusually full of water,
and the intervale land along its banks as ver-
dant as in June. In many places the far
mers are cutting their second crop of grass,
and it appears to be quite abundant. We no.
ticed many corn fields, that are still quite
green, and will require considerable sun to
ripen them. The apple orchards are loaded
with fruit, many trees requiring to be propped
up on every side.
We passed in the afternoon Rumford Falls,
and the vast body Of water which rushes and
roars over the rocky bed of the river, boiling
and foaming as it descends, presents a view
unusually grand and attractive
Truly this season ''the sights and sounds
of loneliness are abroad upon the earth"
The ride from Canton Mills to the Androscog
gin, and then along its banks through Dix
field and Mexico, to Rumford, we found very
enjoyable. Our party of six took picnic at
a beautiful retired spot beside the road, in
our usual style, and found the cold meat,
bread and butter, doughnuts, pies, boiled
eggs, tomatoes, &C., disappeared with won
o,I
vigorous exercise give an unusual keenness
to one's appetite for good things. Even city
ladies find good deal Of relish, and not a
little fun, in these wayside dinners in the
open air.
/ sit here writing at third story window
fronting the North East, with find panora-
ma OF scenery in view. Across thu road is
broad stretch Of intervale land, green as in
summer dotted here and there with trees.
The Androscoggin flows along very peace
fully between its banks fringed with foliage,
and on the opposite side is another breadth
of intervale. Towards the north is the rope
and pulley ferry, and this. if you cross it,
will bring you to the beautiful little village
of Rumford Point, with two fine churches,
several stores. shops, and residences, in the
midst of which is green lawn of triangular
shape which adds not little beauty to the
rural village. little further on is one of those
abrupt and towering wooded cliffs to which
they give the name of "Tumble Down Dick
There is sharp bend of the Androscoggn
just above this village, the river coming in
from the way of Bethel and Newry from
the South, and here taking q turn nirectly
eastward. The Ellis river enters the
Androscoggin from the north, just at the ell
bow of the bend. Up this little river on either
bank, are the roads which lead to Andover,
of which you may take your choice, and in
either event cannot fail to choose right
In my last letter meant to have added
word about the industries of Canton Mills viii
lage. There are manufactures of excelsior
and beadsteads at that village, and what else
do you imagine? wooden tooth picks! The
was suspended for a few weeks,
and we could not see it operate. But we were
told they manufacture many thousands in an
hour, not to say in a minute, and use fabu-
lous quantities of poplar wood. II you want
tooth picks you can buy at one of your stores
for ten cents, box containing at least five
hundred, made to be used and then thrown
away. "Spare, woodman, spare that poplar
tree" 1t will be wanted to make salt boxes,
excelsior and tooth picks.
SENIOR