Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-11-09
NUMBER 43.

I like Oliver Twist. called for more. We
decide 10 have a moon rise, even though
we fail OF SHR rise, and we watch till
after ten, when VIC behold Cynthia"
arise from the ocean, full and rosy as
Old Sol, though rIore mildly beaming.
We enjoy nights rest, and take a
morning nap as the king Of the day
refuses 10 put in an appearance. No
sun rise, no'.joeupd day stands tip toe
on the misty mountain tops" but cloud
upon cloud, and mist flying at the rate
OF Thirty miles an hour. Wo employ the
day in examining stereoscopic views ol
mountain scenery, in general exchange
OF autographs whereby we spoil ream
or more of paper-and in visiting the
Signal Station, where we get much in
formation in regard to its workings and
wonders, and learn how they endure the
Frost King and winds Of winter. One
OF the girls. in payment of valuable in
formation. and for free use OF medical
stores aud "advice" 10 4 friend, seizes
the dishcloth and insists upon washing
the dishes for Mr.. King, which after
many protests on bis part, she is per-
mitted TO do. Mr. X. was asked if it
wasn't "ionely hero in the winter" We
learn that long walk was taken after
this by Mr. X. and his assistant dish.
washer" and arrangements entered into.
Al day ill P. NJ, (the time of leaving
for the isst train), the sun occasionally
broke through the clouds above, but the
grand cloud.veil below refused 10 be
lifted. Our Snowman Dan (who is
ever on the qri-viye TO see any streak oi
light, lurch OF cloud, or any promise OF a
view. is full of hope and enthusiasm,
and assures US that his panorama will
soon be in working order. and urges US
10 tsrry with him and walk dcwn the
mountain railway. Most of the party,
however, departed on the o'lock train.
but two OF us, having faith in Dan, tarried
and received the full reward OF those
who "learn 10 labor and TO wait" In
thirty minutes after the train left, the
cloud lifted and the pictures We saw OF
the grand panorama OF nature the cur
tain now rising now falling) set in such
airy and delicate frames of mist and
spray, will never iade fiom memory's
gallery. We who remained were happy,
we had seen Mount Washington in his
rough and happy mood, and in all the
ininite variety of storm, cloud and sun
shiue. We now take last lingering
look from these heights. and with graft
tude for what we have seen and felt.
begin the descent of the mountain,
walking down the railway track, We
stop and make a.contribution OF boulders
to the Lizzie Bourne monument, which,
surmolnted with white painted head
stone, stands close beside the railroad
walk. telling the sad fate of the unfortu
nate girl who perished here twenty years
ago.
SLIDING Down THE MOUNTAIN on
SINGLE.
As we descend the mountain, we go
out upon the shoulder OF Mount Wash
ington, making slight detour from the
track, and take perpendicular peep into
the dark green gorge known as the Gull
ot Mexico. When halfway down this
three mile ladder, we were startled by
noise as Of railroad train dashing
down the mountains. and close upon US.
We suddenly turned to see what was
coming, and our eyes beheld man not
more than ten rods distant. sliding down
the centre cog track at fearful rate OF
speed. on board not much larger than
g shingle. In our establishment and
fright we jumped the track as quickly as
though we had been shot. Fortunately
the trestle-work was ouly four or five
feot above the ground at our leaping
point. We should have jumped all the
same. however. had it been twenty feet
high. This was the best practical Illus
tration we had ever seen of"sliding
down hill on shingle." They ride
down this mountain railroad on these
fragments of wood at the fearful velocity
of three miles In four minutes.
They seem perfectly safe. screwed as
they are to the aange Of the cog, centre
track; though several employees of the
road.through sheer carelessness, coupled
with intoxication, have met horrid fate
by collision with the trains.
As we sit resting by the roadside,
another and another came shooting down
the rail. like spiders dropping down
from their airy webs.
A.F.L.
Hyl