The Portland daily press., 1877-02-10
lFor the Press.l
A Vacation RambIe.
BY N. W. II.

"Harding, Adam"
The annual catalogue of the college had
just appeared and can remember how eager.
ly seized it and opened to the list of Freshmen.
can remember with what feelings of pride
behed the familiar letters of my own name,
within the, to me, sacred covers of a college
catalogue. There they were at last, in lar
ger letters than the surrounding names, at
least they seemed more prominent to my eye.
Down and up the columns I read to expert
ence the sensation of coming upon my own
name suddenly, wondering how it would look
to other people, and if anyone would stop at
it as I did. After amusing myself for
few moments, in this way, deigned to be-
stow more thorough study upon the names
of my classmates, already somewhat familiar
10 me through the first few weeks inter-
course OF the term, and to notice the places
whence they came. Harding and Bradwell,
among the older members of the class had
already taken some notice of me and was
interested to learn their given names and
dwelling places, although already knew they
came from somewhere in New Hampshire.
We became firm friends and many were
the larks and ranbles we enjoyed together
during our college course, in vacation as well
as term time. One of the most remarkable
OF our vacation rambles was in the summer
of is.
The long vacation was at hand; we had
successfully passed the dread "annuap ex-
animation and were the owners in fee
simple of clean senior tickets. Bradwell and
myself were quietly sitting in the ''den" No.
81, Hathorns, burning Lane Jack to keep our
meerschaums warm when Harding bursts in
upon Us shouting in the tones OF brevet
Colondl, s.Are you ready" We assured him,
with perhaps few needless demonstrations
of hilarity, that we were two of the readiest
youths he could possibly have the fortune to
meet. With uncovered heads we pass the
portal of our beloved "den" and turn the key
with ceremonies that would have done credit
to some forms of worship. Arm and arm we
saunter down to the station to the tune of
''Three Little Darkies," and board the train
that is to carry us towards Harding's home
in New Hampshire.
1t was about noon of warm, quiet day
that we stepped upon the platform of the
Grand Trunk railroad station at Gorbam, N.
II. The morning ride from Portland had
been pleasant one. 1t was in the early part
of the season before the heated crowd of
summer travellers had turned their faces
mountainwards. AS we approached Bethel,
tho hnUon fo he
grandeur of the neighboring mountains.
There is sense of oppression when one first
finds himself under the shadows of the noun
tains. There is an inclination to hold ones
breath in awe at these mighty hills, and do
not think the largest familiarity with noun
tain scenery ever quite dispels this peculiar
feeling. The quiet dignity of the mountains
seems to repel that familiarity which we en-
joy with the Doisy sea. The storm gives
long warning before the huge wave is brewed
that is to topple over and engulph the sailor,
but at the foot OF mountain you are never
quite sure that something isnot about to give
way and precipitate you into eternity. One
cannot feel certain that these burdens are not
too heavy for mother earth to bear and that
she will not shoulder some portion of them
off upon your head at the next moment.
There is an inclination to move about with
caution for fear you may disturb their equi-
librium, and the iarring of an impious loco
motive beneath their very feet seems to justify
some dire catastrophe. The sky was spat-
tered with fragments of thin clouds that cast
light, fleeting shadows upon the treetops, in
the valleys and upon the mountain-sides.
fhe peculiar and novel shapes of these shad-
ows had so absorbed our attention since
leaving Bethel that the conductors cheerful
"Gorham" had come upon us rather sudden
ly, and we found ourselves upon the platform
in tumult of anxiety for our baggage and
fishing tackle. We were impatient to be
upon the road, for it was part of our plan
to walk over Mount Washington, and we
were to camp at the foot of the mountain
that night. Harding was the acknowledged
chief Of the party and having made arrange
ments to have our heavy baggage transferred
around the mountain, council was held to
determine what should be our immediate &C.
ton. Bradwell found that he needed few
stitches taken in his shoe, and couple of
straps were found necessary to distribute the
burden of blankets we were to carry. With
little difficulty a cobbler is found and while
Bradwell is perched upon bench with one
shoe forsaken foot awaiting the manipula-
tions of the knight of the last, Harding and
myself have found harness shop und are
making vigorous efforts to discover its leather
stained proprietor. Bradwell soon emerges
from the scene of leather chips upon the quiet
street, where no sound is heard save the
stamp Of country nag that, with bride
thrown back, munches his MONDAY oats and
switches his tail impatient of the flies. The
town is at dinner. He soon discovers his
friend Harding mounted upon q barrel peer
ing in at side window of the closed harness
shop, and shouts to him to know what he is
about. Whether it was the conclusion of
the air caused by the lungs of the questioner,
or an attempt on the part of Harding to shout
an answer, something agitated the barrel at
that precise moment causing our mutual
friend to lose his center of gravity and to dis
mount without form or ceremony. At this
youngster across the way, who had witnessed
tho mishap, lost his center of gravity and
raised shout that wellnigh disturbed the be-
fore mentioned nag at his oats and promised
to bring the whole neighborhood abou: our
ears. Numerous heads appeared at the doors
and windows, eager with curiosity. 1t began
to have the appearance of sensation for the
town. But our own enjoyment of the situa-
ton precluded any suspicion that burglary
was In progress, and the curious gaze of the
townspeople settled into an open mouthed
stare, especially on the part of the youngsters,
at the movements Of these strangers. Mean
while sash had gone up above us and
grizzled head and face, wearing look OF
anxiety for the safety of silver mounted
harness that hung in the shop window,
looked out upon US, and as the final contor-
lions involved in swallowing its last mouth.
full OF dinner were accomplished, demanded
our business. At the prospects of trade The
race vanished in smile, and in a moment
we heard the click of the lock and were gra-
ciously ushered into the establishment Our