Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-12
Newspaper Decisions.
For the Democrat.
AN AUTUMN HOLIDAY.
(Concluded.)

| EiRnteen InlieS IIOHl lTdNeIsS Sltl III
north easterly direction, lies the town
of Elk Rapids insignificant enough in
appearance, but stretching unseen, yet
powerful, fingers across continents, and
controlling the markets Of the world in
Wood Alcohol and Acetic Acid. Here,
too, is located one of the best charcoal
iron furnaces in the world.
To the inquiring mind Of Yankee,
novelties like these present attractions
great enough to warrant the surmount-
ing of some obstacles. Therefore we
yield unhesitatingly to the invitation OF
friends to visit said furnace and chemi-
cal works, even though assured that old
clothes and a reckless indifference to dirt,
were essential factors to enjoyment when
there. The day chosen for the trip
proves fine, and it is a merry carriage
load that drives out OF town that pleas
ant Autumn morning. Our road lies
around East Bay-if we have not men,
toned the fact, we ought, that Grand
Traverse Bay is divided into east and
west arms by narrow peninsula twenty
five miles in length. Traverse city lies
at the head of the west arm. On the
peninsula is raised some Of the finest
fruit in Mich, and it is our private opin.
ion that the lucious peaches and pears
with which we were equipped for this &C.
casion, must have grown on this PENN
sula-,hey were certainly of uncommon
size and richness.
East Bay is scarcely less beautiful than
West its waters show charming varia-
ton of color, and the fragrance of the
pines along the shore renders breathing a
conscious pleasure. For much Of the
way the country has an air of newness
but enterprise and thrift are everywhere
apparent.
Some fine farm buildings have sup
planted the primitive log houses but
several Of the latter may yet be seen.
Two of these we shall not soon forget.
The first, little square box Of house,
whose sides and roof were mantled with
heavy growth Of woodbine Of a deep
dark red, frightened here and there by
patches Of lighter red and green. With
the sunlight falling full upon it, it be-
came a glowing mass of color that would
have delighted the soul of painter. A
little farther on we pass well TILED
farm whose log house has an air of per-
manent comfort; it is much larger than
the other house vines Chamber to its roof,
and in front is wilderness of tall dab
las of every sort, with other brilliant
autumn fowers-a perfect kaleidoscope
of gay colors, half concealing the house
from view. AS we recall its look Of con-
tentment we weave for it little history,
this pioneer home-where the parents
cleared their farm and reared their little
ones-endeared by thousand hallowed
memories. Now that the rough work Of life
is over, and the children have gone out
into the world, the old folks-for they
are getting to be old folks-will not
build for themselves the new home which
they might, but cling fondly to the old
every fibre in whose rough logs is elo.
quent to. them of scenes long gone. II
the logs in many an early settlers home
could but voice the things they have seen
and heard, who would not stop and lis
ten: Arrived at the hotel par excellence
closed for the season, and have no 9TH
err alternative than to appease our Ape.
titles with late dinner at the only re-
naming public house (; inwardly hoping,
meanwhile, that no unkind fate may
send us here again. This ordeal past,
we sally forth upon our tour of inspec'
ton, which leads us first to the larg:
store of Dexter & Noble, the proprietors
of the furnace and chemical works.
In the store We find group of squaw:
of various ages, and with them toddling
child who persists in hiding her head in
the skirts of her elders; it is only by
bribing her with penny (begged for the
purpose that we succeeded in getting q
peep at her scared looking eyes-eye:
that are so intensely black that the pupil i:
quite undistinguishable. With her tawny
skin and stolid expression, the little one
proves less pretty than we had fancied
Numbers more of our redskinned broth.
ers and sisters we saw during the day
as savages they were unsatisfactory
complexion of trihe darker shade, an(
the peculiar contour of face character isti'
of tn ,ir race, were the only marks that dis
tinguished them from their associates
Had we been blessed with glimpse Of
them issuing from their native wigwam
in traditional paint and feathers, WI
might have better appreciated their per
sonality.