The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-11-25


A VISIT TO Mt. SFoRM.-During my
residence in Bloomington, w. Va, bust
ness called me 10 the Allegheny Noun
tains. 1t so happened that Friday, the
day fixed Tor q pic mic at Mt. Storm. pre-
ceded the day | was to be at North
Branch, and enabled me to conveniently
attend the rural gathering. About 4
o'clock z. NJ. found me dismounting at Mt.
Storm. From a grove near by came the
sound of merrimentt a dim sound of music,
and a hoarse rumbling sound Ike unto
forty boys jumping up and down on a
platform. Wending my way thither, |
here and there met stragglers from the
centre of enjoyment, ONE wiping the per-
SEPARATION off their faces as if Just relieved
from active duty, others had the graceless
swagger and perpetual smile O tmen 'fhalf
shot and at peace with the world. One,
seeing | was a stranger, generously drew
from his pocket a small flask and levelled
1t at me. l lodged, however, leaving the
shot for a more susceptible subject.
Further along, a squad had formed a circle
and were amusing themselves sparring in
regular prize-ring style two OF the most
scientific were in the ring facing each
other with a good natured picnic grin.
Friends stood round cheering at every
pass. Now they went in, '%'squatted, "
''shied' and spread their brawny bruisers
like sheep heads, and finally grappled
each other like twin brothers. Both con
WINGED OF their prowess and satisfied with
its exhibition, retired in harmony behind
a friendly oak and ''smole'' on q phiai of
olive water and closed the tableau, a
little further down, in the center OF about
one hundred men, women and children,
| halted a second time. Lemonade, cigars,
cool mountain water, &c, was dispensed
from a little stand near by. \ platform OF
plank had been arranged on some scant-
ling, and here was the centre of excite
ment. The parties were not all in ball
costume, though some of the ladies were
PRETTY dressed and presented an APP
p~earance of grace and beauty that a city
belle might envy. They danced in ear
nest none of ycurgfnical or fancy steps,
but genuine, original ''heel and toe cats
that keep the fiddler wide-awake. One
huge fellow attracted special attention. ]
could not describe him without one OF
Nast's cuts. Imagine, however, a fig
ure like a spliced hominy block, with q
nose like the tail ola comet, a foot like a
sugar trough and hands like a brace OF
saplings, hammering and slashing around
promiscuously. Fortunately his dancing
was we'll distributed or the floor must have
given way. When he promenaded it was
something between a double-shufiie and a
single-footed rack, and though the violin
lists arm worked like the piston rod of a
camel back engine, his music was left far
behind in these dashes. One ambitious
fellow, not a dancer, appeared in a sky
blue roundabout, and pants trimmed with
gaudy red stripes. running ia angles and
triangles around him. Il was a cross be-
tween q fancy groom and a zouav uni
form. Time for disbanding approached,
however, and the crowd, in wagons.
buggies, and mounted two on a horse,
sought q Eeighboring house where it was
contemplated continuing the festivities OF
the day. Further than this deponent
knoweth not. That these honest hearted
m%ountaineers although a mounta;neer
myself enjoyed their holiday in a mannel
never realized in cities and towns. M
one who had participated could doubt. The
occasion was enc TO be remembered will
pleasure by the participants Bur, for
little too free circulation Of adulteratee
water. no exception could be taken 10 ihl
conduct Of any. Respectfully yours.
II. Il. GEIeER.