Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-10-15
Our PennnYlHania Letter.

'n's American Switzerland have begun to
assume those bright hues known only IN an
American landscape, and tho lovelest season
OF the year-the Indian summers upon us
in all its glory. l have just returned from
a trip to Glen ouokO, the place next IN DOB.
ularity among the pleasure.seekers to the
Switch back of which l wrote some time
ago, 1t indeed the glen may not be classed
hrst IL Is about three miles north of this
place. on the Lchigh Valley railroad to Glen
OnOkO station. From here wo must climb
a rugged path up the mountain about
mile. This path has been improved within
the last two years, BY the railroad company,
so now IL is quite passable, stone and wood
steps being built 10 the stcepsst places
which constitute about half the distance
and rustic seats being placed every few rods,
where the climber eau rest and view the
scenery. / said we went about mile, but
did not mean that the scenery which
makes the glen so attractive was at the end
OF that journey, il is all along. Ga either
side Of the path rise the banks, in many
places psrpendicularly, and 10 others over.
hanging, many feet above. Down this glen,
over rocks aud logs, rushes small stream
whose dashing and splashing as il PUSHES
madly down, sometimes leaping twenty feet
over Preoipice and sometimes playing in
still, shallow pool, adds to the feeling of cool.
ness and freshness given by the shade Of the
massive hemlook and birch trees with their
underground Of scrub oaks, sumac laurel
and other smaller growing shrubs. Ever
and anon the path up the glen crosses the
stream on little rustic bridges. II would
astonish one to see the number of fashion.
able ladies, too feeble to lift bod of coal
or even dress themselves, who will climb this
long, steep path with evident enjoyment.
But then, there is no carriage road, aud they
must 60 on foot or not at oil.
At the top is large platform for dances,
and covered platforms with seats for the
accommodation Of picnic parties. Swings are
also provided, and ore evidently well pat.
roDized.
A little way to the cast is Packers
Point, from whence the Lehigh valley can
be seen for nearly City miles down stream.
The scene was one of the loveliest ever
beheld. 90 every side the mountains were
flaming in the tinges given by the frst frosts.
Below wound the Lehigh in and out among
the hills, with the two double track railroads
crowding it into the narrowest possible space
in the valley. Further down the valley
could be seen East and Upper Mauch Chunk
on the right, above them rising Mount Pisgah
with the Switch back station where the
great engines are stationed in sight, as well as
one long trestle at the top of the mountains
where every now and then single car glidss
down, drawn by Sir Isaac NewtOn's locomo-
characterization. Further down, sixteen
miles, is seen the Lehigh water-gap, where the
Lehlgh river steals through between the hills,
and still further down through the gap could
be seen the high mountain which rises up at
the other side Of Allentown. am not sur.
prised that SO many thousands of pleasure.
seekers are constantly visiting "the Switzer.
land" for it is said, and | believe il, that
nowhere this side of the Rocky Mountains can
be found scenery more magnificent than this h.
And as contemplate the attractions of
which nature has been so lavish tho way in
which these beauties have been marred aud
their enjoyment to- those who make this
place their home seem the more dcplorable
Free rum is the curse Of Pennsylvania, aud
especially Of the mining regions. The min.
ers get good pay, but many of them spend
1t all for run, and they live 10 miserable
novels and their wives and children 90 about
clad in dirty rags, while the pigs and poul.
try which have free run in the door.yards
and the back streets where these people
make it their home add to the unattractive.
ness OF the scene The railroad shop work.
men are the same, and these live here 10
Mauch Chunk. Rum is on every hand, and
am quite certain that more money is paid
for liquor every week in Mauch Chunk
than is paid for bread. The first man
spoke to after reaching the sidewalk from
the cars, upon my asking him the way to q
certain hotel, went and showed me the way,
marching straight To the bar and asking me to
drink with him. | know another young
man, printer, whose widowed mother has
just been obliged to leave her house for debt,
while the young man can earn excellent pay.
But he spends all he gets for drink, and
glories in telling how drunk he was last night
when he went home. Last night | sat for
a few minutes and watched the customers as
they came in. The first was tall, noble
looking man, with silver hair, who evidently
had been hOnored and respected once. His
hand trembled, aud his voice was unsteady
as he presented his bottle and had it flied,
to last over Sunday. Another, young man
perhaps thirty, was accompanied by little
boy and girl, each of the three carrying
bottle. After the bottles were filled, the
father and girl each drank glass. aud then
they went home. The girl needed new shoes
and the boy new coat but such triAing
matters didn't trouble them as long as what
is regarded as the most important want, rum,
was supplied | think if any one doubts
the wisdom Of VermOpt's prohibitory law, a
sojourn Of few months 10 place like this,
where no other cause but rum is apparent
for the state Of society, would lead him to
change his mind, provided he wero open to
conviction. OF course shouldn't expect To