Huntsville gazette., 1883-08-18
THE OLD NORTH RANGE.
By j. F. BLUNT.

| Passing on through the rich tracts of
Upper and Lower Canard, we cross the
| Habitant river, mere brook at this point,
yet furnishing motive power to several
mills of small capacity. Two miles East is
Canning, town Of striking individuality,
built around bend OF the river. At high
tide, the stream is navigable and many yes
sells load here with agricultural produce for
the States Long lines of OK teams stand
waiting around the wharfs and along the
street, till their turn to unload shall come.
Meantime the work goes rapidly on, and
the monotonous voice of the shipper, as
barrel after barrel of potatoes is dumped
into the hold, can be heard from morning
till night-'.Tally three for J. p" Tally
six for d. IT, Tally four for Squire d.,
till one looks for the reflection of the
phrase with the regularity of clock-work.
We were fortunate in making the ac-
lquaintance OF Mr.. Tupper, genial man
of the strict Acadian type, and as pronoun-
ced in his cordiality as in his views in re-
spect to annexation. Having met chance
acquaintance of several days before on the
street the evening of our arrival, we paused
for moment to exchange a brief sal uta-
ton, when Mr.. t. coming up at the same
time. was introduced. To him we are in
debted for much information and many
pleasant services during our stay in town.
At his solicitation we joined party few
| l., IL ,,,o 70 fha noE-
Off," famous point of observation on the
North Mountains.
carriage road of moderate difficulty,
though exceedingly steep in parts, leads
up the sides Of the ridge to the extreme
summit Away to the North a passing
glimpse of the Bay of Fundy can be OBJ
tained, but the dense growth Of forest soon
! shuts out the deep blue of the distant va
, ter and we turn our faces to the South
Far outspread lies the valley, thickly dot
ted with the farm houses and scattered
ua..ioso, like Soma fairy land. Axquisite in
the most trivial particulars. The forests.
interspersed with cultivated lands, look
ike the most delicate moss, and only with
good glass can the herds be distinguish
sd. At the left is the fair Basin of Minas,
taking up an important portion of the
pic ure, and flowing into it seven rivers,
snose sheeny waters can be traced for
miles.
Midway is the Gasperaux. SO closely
identified with that plaintive romance of
Longfellow, the history of the Acadian ex-
lies. Near at hand lies the little village of
. Grand Pre-, the home of Evangeline.
Many changes have been wrought since
to seek refuge in an unknown land, but
the natural features of the landscape are
probably the same.
We called at the cottage of mountain.
eer, and woman came TO the entrance.
after giving us hasty glance from behind
an inner door-innate curiosity, suppose
Her hair was uncombed, dress negligent,
and her low shoes of cow-hide were laced
with common tow string. such as is used
TO tie the mouths Of mail. bags. In feature,
she was much like the native indians, but
IN speech, provincial. The floor within
, was strewn with shavings and stray bits of
basket strands, while the rafters were hung
with dried pumpkins and punches of
herbs. The spring near by to which we
went for water, had no conveniences for
, drawing, save a crooked stick on which to
hang the BUCKET, but the sparkling nectar
| which we drew from those mossy depths
= was ''fit to set before a king
The conversation OF the mountaineers
showed acute sense favored with rudeness,
the result of life in such remote regions
where the opportunities for social inter-
course are almost wholly wanting.
injured to hardship, they learn to di;re-
gard the common comforts of life, and hav-
ing few amusements do not regret their alb. |
Isence.
A carriage road passes along the ridge |
from East to West close to the famous
Look Off, an elevated peak, without |
trees and overlooking the entire valley
Hundreds OF feet below the jagged rocks
project and give the tourist dizzy sensa
ton as he peers out over the cliffs. There
is no railing here, and an uncautious step
would plunge one to the depths below and
certain destruction, but in broad daylight
such nsLap is not likely to occur.
In retracing our way down the sides OF
the mountain, We could readily believe the
statement of the guide in respect to the
tree tops which lined either 81 of the
road below. 1t is said these are secured to
the wheels of loaded teams, in the place
of brake, to retard the forward motion
and render the journey safe. For at least