Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-08-02
A VACATION TRIP.


4
NIB. EDIToR:-I think closed my first let
ter IN Mrs Foss' s-nexf best at Leeds. A
beautiful morning found US rested and re-
freshes from our thirtysix miles ride of the
day before. and after bountiful breakfast.
We proceeded on our way rejoicing. Rejoic-
ing did say. we had need to rejoice All
nature seemed 10 be at uned to one grand re-
Joiclng. The birds were singing their sweetest
songs; the meek-eyed cows were laziiy chew
ing the cud of conteutment in the shadows
OF the oyerhanging trees; the patient oxen
! were feeding with seeming knowledge that
they would soon be needed for the labors of
the day; the hum of the moving machine
and the musical ring Of the milestone as il
! glanced along the dew wet scythe; the happy
faces of the shy school children, with their
books and dinner pals in their hands: and
best of all the look of contentment and
happiness that seemed to shine upon the faces
of the mothers busy al the door with rows
OF shining pans, or at the churning and cheese
making il the open shed beyond, and the
father in the field who watched the fast fall
/ ing grass with pleasure, and wondered if the
/ deep NOW ed barns would hold it all Allindi-
eating that happiness reigned supreme. Start
ing at eight o'clock, three mile drive brings
US to Turner Bridge. where we get our first
view of the Androsc0ggin. Ii seems but a
small swift running stream whose channel is
broad but very shallow. Turner bridge is a
toll bridge, Institution that is fast going
out of date. The bridge is high above the
bed OF the river, showing that AT certain sea
sons the river was apt to get on a tear. FvQr
miles further brings Us 10 North Turner.
very small village of two or three stores ard
either some small tanneries or shops where
leather was used for some purpose unknown
to us, for We found that cartloads of the leath-
er shreds had been hauled ard scattered over
some of the most sandy parts of the road
which was more OF less SANDY all the wav from
! Turner TO Buckield, a distance of eight miles.
In one place we found hill that was so sandy
that timbers similar in size and form TO rail.
road sleepers had been placed side bv side
across the road extending for distance of
thirty rods or more; otherwise it would have
been almost impossible for loaded teams
After skirting the eastern and southern base
of high and long ridge of land, We turned
almost to a west course with direct road to
Buckheld. This ridge was the first indica-
n
tain Reached Buckfield at eleven o'clock.
| and found a very smart enterprising village,
delightfully."- situated on Twenty Mile river.
We have forgotten the Indian name of the
river, and should not be able to spell IL if We
| could remember it. The Rumtord Falls and
Buckhrld k. X connects Il with the outside |
world, so that the summer tourists from tue
city can get their daily papers and stock re-
ports although surrounded by the foot hills of I,
| the " hite Mountains. The hotel is a good
one, prices reasonable and the proprietor a
m an who understands that when he looks out
tor the interests OF his guests he is also look
ing after his own interests After making
a call on some friends we reluctantly lett, at
so z. NJ, this pretty village behind US, and
began the ascent of Streaked MoAntain. This
was our first climb. and after four miles of
almost continuous up hill we found ourselves
at the summit, with the interming!ed villages
of So. Paris and Norway in sight. In the
distance. tar away in the northwest, l0omed
up the Randolph range of mountains The
Presidential range was hidden from our view
by the clouds on the western horizon: while |
still farther south old kearsarge lifted its
proud head tar above its nearer rivals. We
now had it down hill aad good road nearly
ali the way to So. Paris, which is
nine ml,s distant from Buck field, |
nearly all being up and down Streak
ed Mt a good road but hard one.
We had hardly got into South Paris before
we found ourselves in Norway. So near are
the two villages that you would naturally
call them one. Al quarter before five we
stopped in front of The Beals House, whose
present proprietor, Mr.. A. X Paul. did not
send the clerk but met us himself at the door
and his greeting could not have been more
cordial five had been his rich aunt. He
| Il
we selected from bill of fare not exceled at
the Falmouth, and as well cooked as it was
promptly served and felt obliged to in
quire how so large hotel with so much
style could be made to pay in Norway. But
when we learned that some of the best Black |
Bass ponds aud Trout brooks in the State
were within half an hours walk. that Pike
hill, from whose top you can see everywhere, |
and little farther, was near by, we came to
the conclusion that some of the city folks |
had been testing the attractions of NORWAY, |
and the cuisine and spring-beds of the Beals
House, ard the rapidly filling register on the
marble desk in the office attested that such
was the fact. Al quarter past six we started
for DIR. Shattuck's Maine Hygienic Institute
and Water-cure, in Waterford ten miles from
Norway with high hopes that cur somewhat
rested horse wauld take Us there inside of two
hours But oh how were our expectations
blasted, and we doomed to dis tpointme Mt.
Continual succsss in finding our way for two
days had made US bold, and when sturdy
woman (who grinding his scythe by the
roadside) told us that it direct, but not
straight road, we pushed boldly on and on,
| bv guide boards marked Waterford, each with
rapidly decreasing distances marked thereon
and on and on till we began to think that the
Water-cure was like the twill o the wisp,
was ever before US, but not to be found
Stopping at wavsde watering trough we
politely inquired at the house near by
''How far to the Cure?r ''What Crre?"
was the reply. And when told him
the Water-cure. he very cooily Informed us
that we were most over to No. Waterford,
| and four miles out of our way. What a
elimination for % mile drive. What's to
be done? Must retrace our road for the last
mile and a half. turn sharp to the right, climb
Hemleck Hill half a mile long, through a
dense wood and then make further inquiries;
all of which had to be done; even went so
| tar as to cali up an honest man from his slGm
| bers who told Us that the aforesaid Water
cure was not in Waterford at all, but could
be found in the adjoining town OF Harrison