Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-31
DOWN THE ANNoxoosuc.

valley OF the Ammonoosuc. Some perse-
vering anglers were out In overcosts, trying
with little apparent success to catch the
early trout, but some boys at the mill dam
were doing better, and had caught quite a
string OF - chubsl Presently there was an
all pervading smell of charcoal and for a
mile or two the fumes filled the air until we
came to the source, cluster OF brick char
coal kilns At place in the forest called New
Zealand, which Is altogether occupied with
the business of charcoal burning. A strike
OF the wood-cutters was in progress when
We reached there; the men wanting 10 get IS
cents q cord for cutting, instead OF IS cents.
The overseer told us that the strike would
fail, q s there we're plenty OF applicants, and
that none OF the strikers would be- allowed
10 remain. He said the wood used for char
coal there was yellow birch, aud that there
was enough OF IL In that vicinity To keep the
kilns going for thirty years; which ne thought
was about as long as ne should want 20 fol
low the business. Then we came 10 some
steam saw mills, saving knotty sTrucs aud
hemlock, now that the pine is all used up;
and then we found a little grist mill, devoted
TO grinding western corn, drought here by
RAIL- for the mountain hotels. Still follow
ing the clear waters OF the Ammonoosuc, we
come presently TO the Twin Mountain House.
which, as compared with the hustle of the
day Sunday before, seemed TO show scarce
any signs of life. Here are ii We hotels within
distance OF nine miles, all connectei by
rail: Crawford's, NJ Pleasant, Fabyan's,
the White Mountain House, and the Twin
hotel business is a good deal overdone this
side of the mountains.
Passing the Twin Mountain House, aud its
mill pond " lake," the valley opens out wider
with stretches OF meadow, and views TO the
left OF the King and Franconia range, Mount
Lefaye cite with irs thin serrated ridges. At
Bethlehem Station, on the Boston, Concord
and Montreal railroad we crossed the track,
and commenced the long climb OF Bethlehe IN
hill, reaching Bethlehem street" or Heights,
1.-The highest village east of the Rocky )un-
a 4 N M 9 fr0~ Ia n
Pleasant House, Is miles.
AN ALPINE VILLAGE.
Bethlehem is l, $50 feet above tue sea, aud
while other villages east of the Rocky moun
tains may contest the point of altitude, there
can be no question that from its exposed
condition to the north on the crest OF q loog
ridge 1t is the coolest point to be fount on
our Eastern slope occupied by so large q
summer population. People on this August
neon were out playing croqaet Ia overc1i ats
and heavy wrappings, aud looked pretty
blue at that. We found the village overrun
with hay fever victims, and IL was scarcely
possible To get q room at any OF the hotels.
Almost everybody you meet here has q
swollen red nose and book on "Autumual
Catarrh," "Rose- cold" and "Hay-fevsr,"
Bethlehem just as consumptives do to Flor
ida. On the other hand Bethlehem p.ople
who have the hay fever 60 TO the sea shore
for relief. The Wind rakes this hill in the
breeziest manner possible, aud long before
shutdown we were glad 10 get into the shiy-
ering line copgregated about the great hall
stove at the Sinclair House. The rates at
the Sinclair House, the leading hotel here,
are $3.50 per day, with an Indifferent tai
and ordinary rooms.
TO THE PROFILE.
"Follow the telegraph wires" was our in-
struction the next morning In answer 20 the
enquiry as TO the best road to the Franoonia
Notch; and so we did, and the hrst thing we
noticed was how very straight the telegraph
poles are in this part OF the cosntry. Do
they send all the crooked poles to Washing
ton? Our first mile was sharply upward, aud
then magnificent view was obtained Of tine
Franconia range, aud wide panorama OF
mountain, valley, and river, in other direc-
usually the case after "coId snap" aud the
view was perfect. Then we entered upon the
long descent of Bethlet am hill, correspond
ing TO the length of the ascent on the other
side aud following Gale River, through peas
ant glades, presently reached the foot " the
valley and the village of Franconia. Tnen
cent, and over diversified, up aud down.
but thoroughly delightful road through
green fields, mount AIN passes, aud forest
shaded paths reached the Probe House
10 miles. No walk OF our series has been so
enjoyable as this. The Profile House, IA
mos for its cuisine and for its position at
the very center of the attractions OF tire
Franconia region, suffers some this yes-
from the loss Of the Vanderbilt party, who
for years have made this hotel their summer
residence; but judging from the number OF
guests In its great dining room to day /
should say that it was doing q fair business.
Quite q number OF southern people are
finding their way here from the Cen:enn Ial
just now. and this is q class OF custom that
the Profile is likely to retain on account of
the excellence OF the table and OF the at
tendance. A hotel of this kind, and cnarging
$3.50 per day. must depend on q rather ex
elusive kind OF custom, and 1t is not surpfi-
sing TO find that the Probe men do not favor
having .'excursion rabble" thrown upon
them by the proposed railroad up the Peni
gewaste Valley. e. 8. N.