The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-19
Pissuraqus Region.

- GAStAIG4QW We 6ek49u.
D 4 lady who has summered in th
{ Highlands Of North Carolina, regioi
but comparatively little known as yet 4
: The tourists, describes the scenery an
: the people in Lppineott's MagaziEe
, she Bays Of the region:
. The western part of North caroliRa !
/ region of wild and picturesque beauty
Mountains stand-purpIe shoulder q
} purple shonldeF-alI over IL; shagg.
forests of oaks, pines, stately hemlocks
/ and immense chestnuts clothe all theil
} slopes; down the narrow glens, dark
with the shade Of rhododendron and
! laurel, rush clear, bright streams, fed by
gushing springs, everywhere q rich
profusion of wild flower is to be met
with in their season. Botanists, who
have been attracted to this region by the
enthusiastic though vague description oi
the dora given by the few tourists who
have penetrated its wiids, have found
their expectations far surpassed both as
to variety and beauty.
4 Health and pleasure seekers have come
nmmer after summer TO AshyilIe and
other resorts on the French Broad, and
sportsman have penetrated the Balsam
and Smoky ranges in search of the deer
and bear to be found in the remote
| forests, or the speckled trout that abound
in the cold streams. But, compared
with the space to be traversed visitors
are few; there areswhoie leagues where
the foot of stranger has never trod, and
the native life of the region is unin-
huenced by any contact with the outer
world. In these mountains there is
dialect which has rarely if ever appeared
in print; the mode of life and habits of
thought of the natives are less known to
general readers than those of peasants
Of any country in Europe.
Artists have never set up their easels
in these magnificent forests nor dreamed,
pencil in hand, upon the swelling out
lines and amethyst hues of the distant
mountains. Two or three literary workers
have found fresh and interesting ma
terial here while on hasty visits, but
there are types of character that have
never been delineated; there is rich
store awaiting the seeker who is gifted
with q power of insight and expires
sion. The existence that goes on in
these cabins has not yet found an inter
prefer. The tanned athletic mountaineer
who steps lightly down the slope is
figure suggestive of the Homeric age. |
That woman carrying water from the !
spring in the glen leads7 IA life as un
familiar to US as the dweller in house
on the Scythian steppes.
Three things attracted us-the noun /
tain scenery, the fine climate, the cheap /
ness of living, and each of them has sur
passed our expectations. The granduer /
Of the mountains has been perpetual |
feast; the climate has restored one to /
iaaed nerves and color TO paling cheeks;
and we have lived well, as regards an
abundance of nourishing food-not lux
lrious surrounding one-third of
what it .cost.to live at home.
1t seemed -as if we had gone back
several generations-tO the days of our
great grandmothers-wh we went to,
here. Our floors arc bare
md the constant clack of our heeled
,hoes on the oak boards has become fa
niliar accompaniment to heperformance
If household duties. Our walls are ceiled
With smooth dressed pine, untouched by
iii, varnish or paint, and variegated only
oy numerous knot wholes, except where
We have fastened up two or three pair Of
leer antlers, clusters of the brightest
carlet berries of the mountain ash and
ome photographs. Our windows we're I
or some time curtainless, but they fran |
d views of distant SUBMITS and nearer
.idges clothed with majestic hemlocks, I
:hestnuts, naples and oaks, which we
we're 10th to shut from sight, and at |
hight host of bright stars were visible. ;
Pumps and wells are unknown here; the {
uppIy of water is always obtained from /
prings. Our springs is several rods from
he house, at the foot of hill. 1t issues s
orth from the hillside in strong, clear
tream, deliciously cold, and runs away ,
through an almost impenetrable thicket ]
# laurel and rh0dodendron, to join a {
tream whose constant murmur and CUR !
lie we hear in the adjacent forest. By
he spring are the conveniences for wash |
ng clothes alarge black pot with each of |
is three feet on fiat stone, under which i
fire is built on washing days, a wooden {
,ench and some heavy tubs. Part of q
'ur cooking is done by the fireplace, {
whose capacious mouth yawns wide !
nough to take in the largest back log, G
md whose stately brass andirons have :
.ome down from former generation ]
he rest is done on little antiquated i
,ook-stove, which was probably in use /
Yhen jefferson was President. We /
ancy, however, that the fireplace cook 9
ng tastes the best; certainly nothing in
he way of modern conveniences could s
improve the salt-raised bread. chicken {
,otpies and huge peach pies which are ,
AIKEN from the old fashioned oven on the |
learth, heated by Goals beneath and on /
he lid. 1t
Our beadsteads are of native wood, and
made here; one is vanished aud savors
# luxury, the Others are not. Our beds
re striped ticks filed with straw, and
S we drop into sound and refreshing
lumber as soon as We retire we have 7
lever perceived that they are not woven
vire or curled hair. Oar chairs are
Iand-made and made to order. which /
'royes they are genuine, solid, and
ave individual character the qualities
o much sought in modern furniture.