Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-24
RURAL WANDERINGS.-IN.

WELD, Sept. Il, 1874.
Since last wrote, our wanderinqs have
been somewhat checked by the unfavorable
weather. We stopped over one day in the
charming village of Andover But l need
not say to you that no place is charming for
any length of time in rain storm We read
such newspapers and books as were to be
had, we scrutnized the vanes to find which
way the wind blew, we took our overcoats
and umbrellas and went out to walk, We con-
versed with each other and with any one
who would stop to talk, we ate good dinners
and slept as soundly as we could But in
time we grew tired of it all and Saturday
morning we harnessed our teams and started
for Dixfeld.
The heavens were so far proptious that we
escaped wetting whilst on the road The
first part Of the route carried us through a
romantic winding road, amidst forests almost
unbroken, with few farm houses and partly
cleared farms scattered along. Then came
the wild scenery CT Roxbury Notch, the mar
row path shut in by high and steep hills on
| either hand, mostly wood-crowned, but some.
times exhibiting bare and beetling crags
This brought us to the banks of Swift river,
with its broad green iniervaes and cultivated
farms and dwellings on either side. Follow
ing Swift river to its mouth, we turned down
the north bank of the picturesque Androscog-
gin, and after smooth and pleasant ride
reached Dixfeld.
1t was circus and caravan day at Dixfield,
and the streets were thronged W it'll the gath
ering multitudes. The elephant had not ar
rived, and the expectant crowds were await
ing his advent with such patience as they
could summon. There were in the streets all
ages, from the venerable grandsire to the
babe in arms. Our party, in due time, had
an opportunity to "see the elephant" There
were two of them, one about II feet in height,
said to be ll5 years old, and young one ap-
parently not more than 4 or ) feet high.
Those who went into the menagerie tent. pro
nounced the collection of animals to be
choice one, but not very numerous, compris-
ing hippopotamus, lion, tigers, hyenas. and
the inevitable monkey, deemed by some mod
ern scientists to be near relatives of those
who throng to see them
In the afternoon, we resumed our ride. and
reached Weld in due season to put up at
Dummer's and spend the Sabbath. The
weather continued wet, and the Attendance at
church was quite small. We listened to an
earnest. familiar, practical sermon by the
Rev. Mr.. Perkins, Free Baptist preacher.
who resides in Canton, and travels 40 or 80
miles, once fortnight, TO deliver the MESA.
ges OF salvation. On the intervening sab
baths, Rev. X. French of Chesterville
travels about as far to fill the same pulpit.
There is another house of worship here. but
services are suspended for the present Our
party had very pleasat call in the evening
from the preacher of the day, who was as
agreeable in private conversation as interest
ing in the pulpit
This morning the wind is in the northwest,
the clouds are dispensing, and the bright RAYS
of the sun which have been invisible of late.
once more illuminate the landscape. The
mountain peaks, which surround Weld. and
shut il 10 on every side, ike gigantic amphi-
theatre. are visible, and ola Mount Blue
towers up in the distance, as though 1t were
monarch of all it surveys. VIAroH