The New York herald., 1877-07-25
AMONG THE CATSKILLS.

RoAp-CREMATING THE POTATO BUG
SIGHTS AND SCENES NEAR THE cLoUDs
SHADY GROVE July IL, 1877.
A drowse. spot have never como across In all my
travels Little wonder Is that Rip Van winkle
yielded to tho surrounding ENTHUSIASTICALLY the
atmosp sphere-and prolonged his nap for twanty years,
and had the Pickwckian lat boy over shown up IN
these parts II IL safe to say vigorous application OF
the broomstick would have been required TO arouse
tho sleepy youth. II Is not, however, feeling OF
lcthargy that overcomes you bat downright healthy
dcsire to fall into peaceful slumber any time
noon and sunset Evcn man with doubtful CON-
science has his chance Of reposc ao in this glorious
region Of tranquility. Indeed visitors aud mountain.
eers aliko seem supremely Indifferent to passing
events In tho realms beneath and whether draw
bridge OF tho Ludlow castle will be lowered FOL
the exit Of tho royal Boss whether the swift mh
operators will be brought up with "a round turn"
the sailors say; tho Mexican horse thieves be
allowed to plunder with impunity, the beautiful
blue Danube bo rccrosscd, matters the mention
of which is heard with yawn,ng composure In
startling contrast TO this somniferous PICTURE 5000
feet above the lcveb Of the sea, the daily
enacted at tho steamboat landings the village
OF Caski Scarcely have tho lines been cast ashore
when simultaneous yol bursts forth from hundred
agricultural throsts whose ruddy faced owners whipin
hand, point invitingy TO their rustic convcyances
and herald with loud acclaim tho various places OF
resort TO which they wish tho stranger repair The
baggage is tumbied ashore with lightning speed and
Just as quickly transferred to wagons. and In n
parnvcly short space OF time she road
glory The rivalry between these ecntlemaniy drivers
Il have heard that gracious adjective applied
road conductorsj IS Intense Most OF them bound
for boarding houses tho mountains and full CON-
plement OF passengers their eyes twinkle with
delight. And, BY ths way, may observe that within
the past few years additional numbers OF the
Ca,skill farmers have handsomely .'utivatcd''
their dwellings for the reception Of
guests, tnat almost every turn o
metropolitan face smiling with rural felicity may DO
seeu behind tho wicket OF many tidy cottage. The
ride up the mountains is suggestive, for while the
poet and romsncer cnraptured by the gorgeous
cry presented on every hand would tho Of
breakfast the stately form oi Bergh fits across the
vision OF the practical locker on. How the horses
with their cumbrous freight manage TO crawl up the
precipous heights IL something be explained by q
future generation. They to! anu tug ana strain but
invariably gain their point though times you are
inclined 10 tunk that active are In prog
ress Tor back somersnult But they used TO It
aud what is more the drivers handle them win great
skill ana consideration. There several places on
tho road, without protection on either side who're
6ery span OF horses would, without much ado, have
excellent opportunity OF launching you INTO eterny
The mountain stecds however, arc not Ambitious in
that rcspecl besides they doubtless appreciate tho
performance.
II may seom somewhat Of DEPRESSION at this stage
to introduce article that should flow with p0csy
and sentncnt subject which, after ALL warrants the
assertion that there great virtue cremation. IL
Was ondly hoped BY ihe good people hereaDouts TINT
tho western pest amiliarly known inc potato bug,
would connEe It's work OF devastation 70 lower anu
loss lovely places but the foul marauder has appeared
In iui orco all along tho line, laying waste with
suitable glutony the incpicnt ponme dc erre you
ascend toward the mountain top many hangs
mourniui banner OF deslruction across which
OF lhcm, however, have not escaped. To the right
aud the lett sturdy farmers, armed with
brush and pail, labor the heIds tho live
long day aud scoop them IN by the
DusneL You can rely upon II there Is coInmuta
ion OF the death sentenca IN their case. As their
final disposition l Was soon onlishtoncd. Coming
icsurcly along the road we perceive many burning
heaps about TIC size uscd by The witches MacDcth
aud standing around them are groups OF men with
strange ustrc ia their eyes They all have IN
pile. which crackes and cnits spitciu sparks Of nrc
The cdrlng smoke ascending and poisoning the
b,Iny air, wale the yellow blaze presents = SICILY
look ~ the Iaring rays OF the sun.
diaboca gru ovcrspreads Tue brouzod faces OF the
men as they continue their singular pcrior nance
OF them being particularly active as II he were making
broth ior the whole Thinking, perhaps that
~ may be some ncantatlon peculiar " the CatsKils
inquire the cause OF the strange procced ng and ona
ot The men cxpains II ia hrs own way. ..On, the
divii ny away wid EN-; ~ II the bugs you mean No
roast the LIE out oil 'em. Why put lot OF 'em in
eau vi kerosene OIL ad after waking out they nearly
split their sides laughing at me Tor my pains"
The grand old Ca.skiis, immorlslzcd IN song aud
story, are Just as grand as evcrjust attractive,
health giving and Interesting. and he must bo dun
deed VINO. once having Witnessed the ing
AT every turn, cares not 10 retracc his steps An
mosphcre OF contentmcpt pervades the pacc--s solL
tude Is enchanting. Hut IL not alone, Tor tho
pictures with which nature fcasts tho In hill and
duc that SO many visitors lock here annually 10 The
numerous summer homes, nor Is IT IN hopes Of par-
cipaton the festive and fashionable exhibitions so
popular ana entcing at tho we'll known seaside
kuthcr 1t in search oil that peacciu enjoyment and
nature at times much requIres There Is health
hero In every breath OF wind, 10 spcak, and
nothing could better warrant observation than the
iact that were 10 lay The responsibility OF q statc
mcnt on the traditional oldcst inhabitant scores of
houry mountainecrs over century old would doubt
dispute tho tito TO that honor So far season
has gIidea on brightly and the prospects, am told,
very that s TO say among tho staucn
farmers whose doors have bcen thrown open for the
accoinp odatlon oil guests Tho hotel keepers have
most dovouly rcciie, TO w.t. that Sol may pour
down his burning rays on the Empire City,
so tina. tho cool and delicious brsezcs OF tho
iimc honorcd Cstskiils may fan, in imagination,
It's icvcrish inhabitants urge them rush thc
mouutaios Tor relief The roads daily cnIivencd by
Joyous parties IN picturesque travelling costumes,
Jogging along IN wagons route 10 the special places
OF interest," Crowds visit Mountain House 10 rcve
IN the enchanting panorama to bo a clear day
from It's ioly cmIncncc. IL glorious spot and may
well challenge tho wonuer aud admiration OF the
stranger was surprised 10 learn that so few acct.
dents had occurred IN this vciuity they say that
many years but ono person toppiod over tho
brink OF ,hc precipce, and ho escaped almost
unhurt He was a stalwart negro and fell on
his head, which. II Is claimed, damaged tho rock
considerably. Tho Laurel House. with Its charming
surroundings away among tho forest OF trees, II
hiding It's attractions from the world, 70 also
hroDged by sgbtsecrs, who view the Cauterskill Falls
behind with awe and satisfaction. But the prdo oi
tho Catsks by long odds are tho lovely homosteads
which dot the mountains far aud wide. These
chiefly TO DO seen on tho road 10 Tanncrsvlo far
Rupgans and behind that hotel, ana since last year
many additions have boon made tho cheerful look
ing houses on the road In passing tho U'hsra man.
son, winch, by the way, has this year been
ably enlarged, one cannot iail 10 bc Impressed with
the grandeur oil tue entire which surrounds IT,
In word, these private residences winch admit
boardcrs have not added 70 tho prosperity Of tho
tells by any means
And now IN the afternoon pcas Of laughter ring
merrily along tho rocky roads, Fair damsels aud
cavaliers are vending their way, some 10 hanss Falls
anu some 10 stony Glove, whcro the 10y atmosphere
VIII ch'i thor very souls Anon will come tho moon,
shedding her siivery rays across the valley below,
completing picture 10 be forgotten.
And long before chanticleer sounds his shrl CLARION