The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-09-15

scenery. We went on up the Saluda
River, which rushed over the rocks as
if it had been imprisoned in the bosom
of the mountain and was making good
its escape to the ocean. We cannot de-
scribe our feelings while looking at
those wonderful heaps thrown up by
nature, and especially one peak that had
large bald rock for its brow. 1t is
pictured on our minds yet, and we did
hate not to see that rock again. The
mountains are covered with spruce, ivy
and ferns. which truly give them a
look Of solitude. Night began to unfold
her sombre curtain, and we imagined
the rugged scenery around us was like
fair Melrose.n We had no "pale
moonlight by which to view it, but late
in the evening when the dark lowering
clouds were above US and the dreary
mountains and morasses around US, ii
did seem to partake more of those quail
ties that thrill the heart of man than
when the sun had clothed every tree and
flower with his luminous robe. Our
feelings seemed in unison with the dis
NAL evening, and perhaps that was why
it was so appreciated. As we were
travelling along, earnestly gazing for the
way, Gor daylight was fast receding')
we spied a friendly guide. post" but
could scarcely spell the letters. We
finally concluded it was to Caesars
Head, so on we went, and if our danger
was greater than it had been we did moi
know it. for we could not see the yawn'
ing chasm on one side, or the awful
bank on the other. We reached Caesars
Head about ten o'clock at night. The
proprietor, DR.. Miles, said the hotel was
full, and we were compelled to crowd
into little rooms with few conveniences
Nevertheless, we spent the night ano
hoped for fine morning, but to ou'
disappointment everything was en7el-
oped in dense fog. The scarcity Of
provender for stock compelled US to &C
several miles down the mountain, IN
the morning, before we could feed
Before leaving Cesar's Head we visited
the springs and some few: points, but
found the Improvements very inferior
to what we had expected. About two
miles from Caesars Head we came tc
"Cold Spring." took drink, and then
the road, hoping for better things. On
the mountain a woman was met, who
said in an hours time we would find
plenty of corn, so we travelled on as
patiently as we could, watching for "the
mountain home.' In due time we came
to little cot, which we hailed will
delight. 1t was there we met the
black-eyed, curly-headed'
Barefoot boy with cheek Of tan,
Heaven bless the little man.
for his hospitality to US.
"He gave us Of his highland cheer
bucket of good mountain water and a
basket of fine apples, and directed us
to his grandfather, who in turn directed
us to some one else where we could and
did get corn and meal. Do not think
we speak lightly of this aged sire and
little man. They did the best the cir
cumstances allowed, angels could do NO
more. The little fellows heart beat
nobly beneath his rustic jacket as he
gathered us wood, brought us chairs
and spoke kindly. We prepared ou1
meal in the simplest manner, and ate it
with a relish common to such occasions.
We had none left for lunch. After din
ner we started down the mountain. We
soon came to a toll gate, which made a
considerable impression on the crowd.
Then we crossed a beautiful little river
on the mountain and passed some nice
little cottages. The country began to
look like it was inhabited by civilized
man, for the farms were well titled, and
the soil well adapted to the growing OF
corn and apples. Another dark cloud
arose before us, and we tried to take
shelter, but it was a miserable excuse.
The rain poured in torrents for an hour,
after which we travelled on to reach the
French Broad before night, as we had
been told the people were very hospi-
tably inclined in the valley; but ten of
us required rather more hospitality than
any one had to spare, so were sent from
house to house, until at last we tried to
beg for merely shelter, but in vain.
At the last named house we saw a
dwarf, said to be three feet one inch
high, who numbers three score years,
and is as intellectual and lively as many
who boast of more bone and muscle.
We went from this place to Brevard,
Transylvania Co., N. c., and found a
first class hotel, with a warm-hearted
proprietor. After our nights rest, we
took the road down the river again, and
how shall we describe the landscape.
It seemed like fine farm fenced in by
a chain Of mountains. The blue peaks
rising majestically around US. The
rich fields spread out before us so level,
and the French Broad flowing silently
on, were some of the most noted fea-
lures. The corn, clover and turnip
fields surpassed anything we had ever
seen, while the orchards around the
splendid residences were laden with
fruit. The stock were in fine order,
and living, so far as eating was con-
cerned, seemed a light matter. We
nassed some nrettv little falls. climbed