The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-07-10
THE WI. T.. A. EXCURSION.
Shadow of WasLiugton-sigFis and
Sighf-Seers, etc.
GLEN HousE. July s.

GLEN HOUSE, July8.
The start from the Grand Trunk station al
Portland is anything but suggestive of pleas
ure trip. Usually a train runs forth and
back past lines of diDgy brown and dull red
cars and sooty coal Sheds until patience is
worn out Nor is the ride for the first thirty
miles peculiarly attractive. The land is low
and the fields covered with butter cups and
daisies. Occasionally from marshes by the
road side scarlet cardinal flowers peep out. re-
lleving the prevailing quietness of color. But
| when the traveller reaches the high land, the
hills begin to shut in about him, and the conn
try becomes broken and rugged. Soon after
he strikes the Audroscoggin and skirts its
banks until Gorham is reached The hills
have become mountains, and soft browns and
| grays charm the eye, while the mountain shad-
ows topple down upon their great TANKS, CIV
| ing dusky shade to their vivid green.
The advance guard of the M. l. A, excur.
slonists, merry party twenty-seven in num-
Der, left Portland at seven O clock in the morn
ing. The ride, though long, was Delightfully."-
cool. At Gorham they took stage for the
Glen, and after an hours pleasant trip along
the Peabody with frequent glimpses of the
four great mountains alighted at that famous
hosiery, where warm welcome awaited them.
Ihe afternoon was passed on the broad piaZ-
zas, watching Washington sprawled out like
some huge giant, stretching his length for roods
after the fashion of Millions Satan, or the
shapey peak of Adams rising up to meet the
clouds, or the compact form of Madison. or
Jefferson, peeping out from between the
shoulders of his mighty brothers. The shad
ows fell low down the sides of the mountains.
The trees climbed half,way up, covering the
rocks and gullies with bright green and dark.
The sun shown down into Tuckermans Ravine
until that great gulf looked like golden cup.
Patches OF snow spread their dead white near
the summit and made the masses of gray rock
look even cheerful by contrast. During fine af-~
ternoon light shower or two pr oduced chaIm-
ing atmospheric and cloud effect.
Those of the tourists who were not mountain
mad took look over that great establishment,
the Glen House, the largest and certainly in
many respects the finest hotel of the mountain
region. The comforts of its rooms and the
efficiency of its service have made il deserved
favorite with all travellers, while the luxuries
that its bountiful table affords have endeared it
to those who find their greatest pleasure in the
qualification of the palate. Its stud of horses,
105 Ia number, furnish ample provision for
drives to the many objects of interest about
In the evening the long saloon, lighted by gas,
finds favor in the eyes of those who are fond
OF the dance, while the piazza and halls and
paths about the house delight the promenaders
and the "spoonily'' inclined. For those who
seek genuine country fare twenty mich cows
will prove an attraction. "When we get out of
milk, says Mr.. Mlliken, the genial proprie-
tor, we run over to the neighbors and borrow
some" The nearest;neighbor is three miles
off.
The situation of the Glen, with the wooded
Carter range at its back, the presidential noun
tains looming up in the foreground. and Glen
Ellis and other beautiful spots near at hand,
has always made it favorite resort Directly
under the shadow Of Mt Washington, and pos
sessing the only carriage road to its summit,
1t has advantages possessed by none other of
the mountain houses. The winding drive up
the side of the great mountain is alone worth
coming hundreds of miles to see, and is the
objective point'' of the NJ L. A excursion
lists. The Messrs. Miliken are continually
adding to the conveniences of the place, and
have already this season put up large bowl
ing alley and a neat stand for the music band
The advance guard took good care to be seat
ed on the piazzas when the main body arrived.
They felt sense of proprietorship while loung-
ing in chairs and settees watching the luggage
encountered travellers alight from the coaches
Meantime they saw the sun drop down behind
the mountains, and the purple mist Of early
early evening steal over them. Even the fresh
yellow shingles of the new halfway house were
idealized by the parting rays, and shone like
golden roof. At few minutes past seven the
coaches drove up, and thrty.five passengers
alighted. The party was not so large as ex.
pected, but was very happy one. After some
hours passed in chatting and strutting. all
sought their chambers to dream of the ascent
of Mt. Washington on the morrow. M.