The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-08-13
To the Grove-Meeting and the Beach.


Saturday, July 26, we purchased tickets to
Weirs and return, at $40 80 for three, by the
Wells River railroad. We waited an hour OF
more at the union depot, Wells River, for the
Boston, Concord & Montreal train, now the
White Mountain division OF the Boston "
Lowell railroad. Trains finally arrived on the
several sides of this triangular station and
seeing no gentleman In blue and gilt caps, we
watched to see where our baggage was loaded,
and saw IL placed on board train consisting
OF engine, baggage car and one passenger car,
standing at the end OF side track, having
Just run In there from Woodsvile We took
seats with some misgivings, but the baggage
ma ster said we were right-no conductor for
the train appeared. Soon, however, IL moved
backwards towards Woodsville, and we sup
posed was being propelled by the engine which
brought Il over, but soon we found the balance
of the train had backed over from Woodsville,
hitched to our rear, and was taking us rapidly
towards Weirs. Now we understood our situa-
ton, reversed our seats and felt relieved, but
weak from the nervous tension excited by the
silent mystery OF change OF cars at wells
River station. But the anxiety and 1nconve-
nence which travellers often suffer from the
nonchalance of average train conductors,
should, no doubt, be abated by more thought
full attention TO the personal wants OF those
who consign themselves to their charge for
safe transit, when, at best, Inconvenience and
even dangers are liable to intervene. We
mean to say that the travelling public would be
much relieved from care, questioning and in
convenience il 1t were made uniform practice
to announce railroad trains before starting and
before stopping, and to also announce the next
station in advance, and the distinction OF the
individual cars Of the train; this to be done
thoroughly, vocally, or by placard, or both.
Wepassed through the towns OF Haverhill, War
rem, Wentworth, Rumney, Plymouth, Ash
land and Meredith some Of them appearing
to be sandy pine-barrens. Before reaching
Weirs, to the left several glirnpses Of Lake
Winnipiseogee are obtained, and on arrival at
the station the view of the lake, the islands
and the mountains in the distance is one, we
believe, OF the most enchanting In natural
scenery. Weirs, or " The Weirs," as some
times spoken, is not put down upon the
map. 1t is not town, but station, and took
its name, probably, from the word weare, sgni-
flying a dam to stop and raise the water for
taking fish, etc. At opposite sides the pretty
depot the trains and the boats arrive. One
boat, the Lady Of the Lake, Is fair-szed
steamer. Two smart hotels, numerous cot
tages two nice pine groves-one with seats
and pulpit for holding religious meetings, the
other with seats and buildings near by, be-
longing to the veterans of New Hampshire,
towards constructing which the state gave
them five thousand dollars, without dissent
ing vote-constitute the principal additions to
the natural scenery of the place. The Unita-
rian grove-meeting began its sessions Sunday,
the 9th ult., Mr. Savage of Boston delivering
the first sermon, these meetings to continue,
| beive a week or two. Many pleasant and
intelligent appearing people were assembled
and apparently were able to follow theil
speakers through ancient or modern systems OF
religious thought without excitement, and
afterwards do their own thinking. We left
Weirs at nine A. NJ. and arrived at Portsmouth
at one P. NJ, and spent the time after dinner
until five P. M, looking through the cemetery
grounds at that place. From what we founC
its residents began to die as early 1867, anC
on some of the stones some quaint inscriptions
were found. When the trains arrived many
hackmen with York Beach, and other places
and houses printed on their caps, invited us Il
go with them. We went on a coach over
broad, smooth, level road to Rye North Beach
distance Of six miles, to a hotel called thu
Ocean Wave House, new, white, clever-look
ing set Of buildings, three stories high, witt
broad halls and stairways, comfortable, cleal
rooms, many of them looking out upon tn
ocean,
Whose waves, breaking upon the air.
With its excellent bill of fare,
Home no better could you share.
The location of this house is on a high ee
walton of land, eight rods from the ocean, an,
is central, from which all points may be Wis
ited-to Portsmouth, six miles Isles of Shoals
seven miles; Newcastle and Greenland, eac
six miles; Little Bears Head and Wentworth
Mansion, each six miles; Straws Point, fou
miles, Hampton Beach, twelve miles, ett
From its cupola can be seen the Isles Of Shoals
Cape Ann, Salisbury and Hampton Beaches
Portsmouth harbor, etc. The facilities fc
bathing are first-class-a bard-sand beach, on
mile long, and no danger from undertov
Board, from $40 to S14 per week for one perso
occupying one room; from $1S to 1914 per wee
for two persons occupying one room, ct
Stages and mails forenoon and afternoon
Address Henry Knox, box 2S1, Portsmouth
New Hampshire. So.