The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-07-30
FOR THE HERALD.
NSU-itain Lake-Bald Knob
The Cascade.

July, 1873.
aiR. EDIToR.-Near the summit OF :he
( loftiest peak of the Alleghanies, and more
than 5000 feet above the level Of the sea, is 6
| little lake. This is Mountain Lake" the
most picturesque spot in all South Western
Virginia. 1t was our good fortune to visi.
! this beautiful lake on the lst Of July, in
company with friend whom we VIII call
Rabbi Ben o. At an early hour on the
morning as the 1st, we mounted our gay
and fiery steeds and began the ascent of the
mountain, it being six miles to our destina'
ton, and cup hilp' all the way. To most of
your readers this will seem incredible and q
big "hill story" but it is true one. The
Gay previous it rained. and the atmosphere
aass perfectly clear and most delightf1iy co6a
and refreshing. As we wcnded our way
nounG the mountain side. our friend related
so me Of his mistakes" greatly to our
amusement, and greatly to his embarrass-
rlent, he being timid young widowcr Of
some thirty summers. At every angle in the
road, some new scene would burst upon our
enrapturcd vision, while the goal still lay in
the distance Jus. as we reached the top Of
the mountain scene far too Sublime and
beautiful for our pen to portray, presented
itself to our view. Just before US, and in q
few feet, was beautiful lake, with ten thous-
and rippes playing upon its bosom, sparkling
n the early rays Of Summers sun. Upon
its margin, largo and elegant Mansions
Coming down from the everlasting hills, on
all sides, was q forest of living green,
interspersed with the "myrtle and the ivy, !"
and lost in the sporting waters of the lake.
To our right lay Prospect Hill, surmounted
with an observatory, from whose pinnacle
hoated an ensign upon the mountain breeze.
To our left, and lifting its towering head
heavenward was Bald Knob. the highest
point ip Virginia. Here we halted moment,
and in silence beheld nature in all her beauty
and grandeur.
At the Hotel we met Mrs. Gen. Haupt, Of
Philadelphia, introduced ourselves, delivered
messages, documents, &C., from Dr.. D. F. B.,
and we're cordially welcomed to Mountain
Lake Hotel. Mrs. Haupt is very excellent
lady, kind and attentive, and very entertain
ing. Gen. Haupt owns large boundary of
land here, some 100, geo acres, all mountain
land, we'll timbered with the finest original
forests, and splendid water power, to convert
it into lumber. There Is also an abundance
Of rich iron ore to be found, but the dis tauce
from the railroad makes it impracticable to
work mines at this time. The General and
family spend their summer months here,
their winters in Philadelphia. But I have
digressed, one word more, Mrs. Haupt is one
Of the cleverest ladies we have met for 10,
these many days, and her kindness 70 US
shall never be forgotten. She let Us have
her telescope, and away we went for Bald
Knob. AS we were about to reach tue top,
Rabbi Ben o. exclaimed, "it seems like we
arc getting into another world" This cx-
presses my feelings at that moment better
than any languageI can find. All around
Us, and above was nothing but heavens
purest air. Casting our eyes down and to
the East, there for 200 miles, lay chain of
mountains, looking perfectly smooth and
even, in the distance. Securing Our weary
steeds, not to keep them from running off,
but to keep the wind from blowing them off
this dizzy height, We q: once proceeded to
survey our surroundings. To the West lay
m upbroken forest, mountain rising after
mountain, as far as the eye could trace To
the South lay most stupendous diorama
To tue North, and far ia the distance, we
could family see the Peaks of Otter, rising
in sublimity above their reighbors. By the
use of the telescope we could see several
towns st greas distance and distinguish all
the prominent buildings. 1t is said that the