Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-06-03

even a duck would scorn. In some
cases not two rods distant from their
present location a fine building site.
just elevated enough to shed water
but scarcely sufficient to act in the
capacity Of wind-break, has been re-
jected. There they stand, many of
them guiltless of tree or shrub, monu-
ments of dirty discomfort nine months
of the year,
After leaving Harrisburg we pass
through region of country differing
but slightly from the preceding, until
we near the mountains, where it's rug
gedness increases. We cross the
Juniata several times but it's rapid.
muddy waters bear little resemblance
to the ''blue Juniata" of the poet.
We are on the "Fast Line" and max
ing good time, but the darkness of
night is upon US before we reach the
Alleghanies, fact we deeply regret,
the more when we reflect that pale
Luna refuses US her presence. The
scenery on the mountains is said to be
grand, that Of the Horseshoe Bend
being one of the finest, and though a
sight Of It's wonderful grandeur, both
as regards the wonders of nature, and
the triumph Of mind over matter, is
denied us, it is not all lost to us.
Rounding curve we see a light di-
rectly across from us, which we after
ward found to be at the opposite
extremity of the bend. Above us are
the dark grey mountains tops reaching
unto the heavens, while beneath us is
darkness as profound as though no
ray Of light had ever penetrated It's
depths. This darkness takesa definite
form, and we know We are in the
Horseshoe Bend. About midway we
pass a locomotive, no doubt on it's
return from helping some other train
up the heavy mountain grade.
Braving the winds which are neither
warm or gentle, we open our windows
grasp our hats in one hand, draw our
wraps more closel ly with the other, and
await a revelation. At the proper
time, thrustlng our heads forth into
the night, we see the three engines
that are pulling us, seeming like unto
three fiery dragons literally eating and
breathing forth fire, shedding their
light back upon us. Huge columns of
smoke arise with each puff of the labor
ing monsters, which seem as the flap
ping of the dragons wings. The
intense darkness below adds to the
weirdness, and in the fascination of
the scene one forgets how completely
the life of the traveller is bound up in
this noblest Of all modern inventions.
One false move, one misplaced rail,
one fatal plunge, one moment of time,
and the shrieks and groans Of the dy-
ing may ascend from the dark gulf
below-friends, worldly pleasures and
ambitions behind them; before them
eternity. Does the mechanic as be
drives home the rivet, YIELDS the iron
bands or pertects this powerful ma
chine so wonderfully human like.
realize that he holds the lives OF hun
dreds in his hands? 'sOnly a little
flaw, but it may be heaven O. hell to
some one.
While we have digressed we have
| passed Cresson, summer resort, sit
uated on the top of the mountains,
The cold air tells US of our proximity
to the lakes, and closing our windows
we resolve to make ourselves as com
Portable as possible for at Pittsburgh
we are to leave the Fast Line, and we
know not what is before US, only that
We have to wait.
Finally the last station is passed and
the long furious whistle arouses us
from our half stupor, and at 2 A. NJ.
we are Whlrled into the depot at Pitts
burgh--the city of smoke. Walled
IN and canopied by smoke For six
mortal hours we breathe, eat, drink,
and bathe in smoke, the monotony
relieved only by the nauseous gasses
at the depot which vie with each other
IN their vicious compound. and peue
tratlve powers. At about S A. NJ. we
depart the city The sun endeavors to
cheer US, but his sickly smile only
akes the dingiest of cities dingier.
This mantle of smoke drapes the
country for miles around the city.
Through all this region of country they
use mostly soft coal that burns much
the same as wood. sending forth dense
volumes of smoke highly odious to
sensitive persons.
Where we left the line Of snow we
are unable to say, but probably soon
after descending the mountains; certain
it is, that darkness closed around US in
a land snowbound, which daylight re-
veals not to US again Here the rivers
satisfied with the labor Of inundation.
have subsided, leaving only few cakes
Of Ice to mark the scene Of their late
riot, unless it be a charge to profit
and loss among the accounts of some
of the R. r. companies. The wagon
roads would bs pretty good were it