National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-27
AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.
Beauties ana BENEFITS FOR the Tourist
at Doubling Gap Springs.

DOUBLING GAP SPRINGS. Pa, Sept.
2O.--This place is directly north of Wash.
ington, and distant only one hundred
miles as the bird flies. To reach it one
must add fifty miles, however. going to
Hagerstown, Md, by tho Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, then to MELVILLE by the
Cumberland Valley railroad, where the
stage is taken for ride Of eight miles on
one OF the ploasantest country roads
ever travelled. The foot hills of the Ale
ghony or Blue Ridge mountains, as they
are nero called, are soon reached, and 1t
is not long before tho horses are painting
up the long climb that ends in tho beauti-
ful grounds that surround this place.
The mountain range here doubles upon
itself, somewhat In the shape of the letter
), and tho hotel has been located in tho
loop, as IL may be termed. The mount
aims crowd up skyward on three sides,
and on the porches this bright, summer
like afternoon, were the beautiful foliage
absent or less dense, ono could distinctly
SOC parties climbing to their summit.
Wore i asked their height 1 could not
answer--yet am sure the sunlight came
this morning at least an hour later than
1t peered into your room in Washington,
and in tho afternoons it seems as If
twilight begins about o'clock, the big
shoulder Of tho mountain in the rear Of
the hotel crowding itself up toward tho
sun in way that would seem to say,
Now, please let up on these poor people
below here; just move on and give your
heat somewhere else." And in the last
week tho twilight and candles have come
too soon, bringing with them GOODNESS
that told of Jack Frost, aud making the
fireside the most delightful part of the
parlor.
Rambles and horseback rides along the
many beautiful roads ON the mountains,
which are used by teams in winter in
logging" an occasional climb to the
reservoir or further up the mountain to
the robbers cave, and the beautiful spring
near by which supplies it. or still further
up-it seems terribly far--to the summit,
where is Flat Rock, and from whence the
beautiful Cumberland valley can be
seen at your feet from Harrisburg and the
Susquehanna southwark to the Maryland
line-all these are for the young and
vigorous. For the infirm and elderly
are the sulphur and iron springs near
by. and. if strength permits, the
billiard table and bowling alley arc
enjoyed. A railroad is now being
surveyed TO TINS place, and may be
completed by the close of next year, and
If this is done this will DO one of the
most attractive mountain resorts in the
country, aud its noarness to Washington
will make 1t popular resort to its people,
many of whom have for years been coma
ing here. The sulphur spring below the
hotel, in a beautiful park, is very fine and
spoken of the highest terms by physi-
clans and those who have been benefited
by it. The hotel property includes all
these springs and parks, and the pro.
prietors, the Messrs. Able, of Newville
intend to spend large amount on the
place next year and make IL more
attractive than ever before. Mr.. James
A. Williamson, late of the Mt. Holly
Springs hotel, is now in charge, and il
one of the most capable and acceptable OF
hotel keepers.