Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-26
We ,are just wishing for similar trans.

the previous night being, THAT young
lady's terribly in earnest isn't she
Perhaps she's right, after ALL Thanh
God there are some things his children
may knop, even while in the body, with
out need Of any guess-work.
All day long the weather is simply
perfect, and all on board give themselves
up to its enjoyment. Even the little
birds which futter about our decks so
earlessly, twitter and cbirp in the glori-
Gus October sunshine as if they fully APP
preeiated Natures smiles. Away on the
eastern shore is Life-saving Station,
which reminds us with a shudder, that
sky and air and water are not always the
ministers of pleasure they seem today,
but can, upon occasion, become swift
messengers of doom. Later in the day
we pass Sleeping Bear Point, singular
formation of land. The barren looking
sand-hills along the shore fail in grand
eur as well as beauty, but the lake is
sufficient untoitself; its magnitude dwarfs
all its surroundings.
On board we find pleasant companions,
and some amusing ones as well: among
the latter a rural bride whose unique de-
pertinent, graphically described by an
observer, brings tears Of fun to all eyes.
Is it indeed the unexpected that which
always happens? Sometimes we are
prone to think so. All summer we had
enjoyed the hospitality of dear friend,
and often heard the name Of another dear
f.iend of her youth, long lost to sight.
That lost friend is our fellow passenger
we have held delightful converse with
her, all unconscious Of her identity: in
rare moment the truth comes to light,
and new and strong bond springs up
between us. Every one had revelled in
the perfection of the day; to two hearts
it is now bathed in new and fadeless
beauty, as we talk of one so dear to both.
We enter Grand Traverse Bay just at
sunset, and are nearly three hundred
miles north of our starting point; but
there are yet thirty miles between US and
the friends who await our coming; and
it is too dark to see aught save the lights
of Traverse City when we steam slowly
into port, and end our journey amid joy
GUS greetings.
That the whole Grand Traverse region
is one immense summer resort, is little
wonder to one who has once breathed its
pure air, sailed upon its waters, or feasted
on its trout and venison. According to
a well-known Michigan writer, "Grand
Traverse Bay is one Of the finest sheets
Of water in the world. It's shores are
heavily fringed with evergreens which
are reflected in its clear water with
witchery charming to behold. The water
of the bay, and of all the streams that
flow into it is remarkably pure and cold.
In the bay piece of crockery or any
white substance can be distinctly seen at
a depth of so feet or more. The head
of the bay at Traverse City is semi-clr-
cular in form. From this point north
ward, thirty miles distant, or as far as
the eye can reach, there is presented an
ever changing panorama of beauty. The
highlands skirting the bay, or the islands
resting upon its bosom are clothed with
the greenest of forests, or, under the care
of industrious husbandmen or yinedress-
ers, abound in well titled fields and -four
ishing vineyards. The Grand Traverse
region is wond ;rfully productive: apples,
peaches, pears, grapes and other fruits
are raised here in great abundance
The rapid development of this section
is largely due to Messrs. Hannah, Lay ~
Co. of Traverse City. Indeed, Hon.
Perry Hannah, the senior member of this
firm, has been aptly styled =" The Father
of the Grand Traverse country" since
"without his great executive ability and
acknowledged liberality, the present beau
ty and wealth of the country would still
remain hidden"
Traverse City is a village of three thou
sand souls; and since the history of Han
nah, Lay IL Co. is so closely identified
with that of the town, the firm demands
more than passing notice. Beginning
in small way in the lumber business in
1850, they have gradually built up an
immense trade, and now run two large
steam saw mills, single mill, three
steamboats,, and 100000 -four mill,
besides their stores, and Park Place Hotel,
of which more hereafter. The immense
amount of lumber which they manufac-
ture is mostly taken to their lumber yards
in Chicago, by their largest steamer, the
"City of Traverse" This boat if snugly
packed will carry 1000, 900 feet of lum-
ber her usual cargo il about 700 600