Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-09
MAUD.

equally, of course, il was a case OF
love at first sight. We had no
formal Introduction, no drawing
room acquaintance. On one OF the
loveliest lakes in the midst Of the
Adirondack wilderness Maud's brown
eyes were first turned upon me.
1t was two years since Tom Watkins
and |, proud OF our four years expert
ences and our brand-new sheepskins,
had left Amherst with mingled feel
ings Of JOY and regret. Tom went
Immediately into the Office of Il fam
Gus New England morning paper,
and made his way steadily up on its
editorial crops.
had gone into partnership with my
father, and worked like Il slave, lest
he should be ashamed Of me for had
an immense respects FOR him, and
knew he despssd lazness.
Having then worked two years
without interruption, Tom and | both
felt that we had earned a vacation,
and by little planning, we mauag-
ed to get off together in September OF
the comparatively uneyentful year
eighteen hundred and eighty.
We both voted for the MOI ntains
instead Of the sea, and for New York
instead of New Hampshire; SO we
start out determined to SEQ all that
we could of the North woods.
AS We had both logged on thus far
through life without meeting any
young woman who seemed absolutely
essential to our happiness, we could
look forward to II complete rest from
the use of the pen. There would be
no love letters To write every night
when tired and dull and occasional
POSTAL card, whereupon were scrubbed
few words in pencil, would sat isfy
our friends at home.
Neither did we sci out with any IDEA
of meeting our fate. We went TO CT
10y the woods and each other we
rather summed then sought society,
especially that Of ladies'
After day on Lake George we took
the eastern route INTO the woods,
spending night at Elizabethtown.
Thence we tramped to keene, the
clear mountain streams, deep, cool
woods, and grand towering peaks,
more than making up for the hard
roads and thick dust, so that, though
tired, we were more than satisfied
with our first days experience.
As we had resolved to "do" the
mountains, we climbed the cloud
cleaver, Tahawas; W. spent II SILVER.
ing night on Whitefacc, whe&ee we
watched Lake Placid brighten under
the morning sun; we picked four
leavCd clover from John Browns
grave at North Elba we started deer
in the Indian pass. and saw our guide
kill it; and, TO crown all, we came out
of the woods by way Of the lakes.
Our guide was wiry little fellow,
too slight to carry a boat, ne thought
nntil we watched him in wrestling
match, when he showed him tough rs
whip cord and we had no more fears.
Starting FROM the lower Saranac on
a dull afternoon, Il georgous sunset lit
up the clouds and lake as We rowed
swiftly along; then, as the rich pur
Pile and crimson faded, the crescent
moon broke through the clouds, and
we had our first experience Of car
RES IN this uncertain twilight 1t
was only short walk. however, and
then we glidcd across the black waters
Of Round Lake IN an utter silence,
save for the pIash 0f the oars and the
scream OF loon or nlghthawk.
Next day we wound along the
RaquCtte river, whose waters were
low, and whose shores, even thus
early, glowcd with autumn color.
Our nights were spent mt hotels,
which we reached late and left early :;
our days, in rowing and carrying.
Almost lost under the inverted boat,
our guide led us through the rich
vegetation Of the carries, without
wandering even when the lire, still
raging, had oblitcrated every trace of
a trail to our unaccuStomed eyes.
Occasionally we heard the iucOn-
gruous sound OF human voices other
than own and came upon a similar
boating party. Now and then we
heard the baying of dogs, and knew
that some poor GeCr was in distress.
or we saw an uncommon bird, and
listened to its TIld note: but for the
most part, there were few signs of life
of any kind, and the silence was
complete; the sense of loneliness, in
tense.
What wonder, than, thAt Maud
seemed almost fairy like to long eyes
uuaCcuStOmed to such beauty.
As we came out upon Raquette
Lake, we felt as il we were approach
ing civilization; cleSriuEs. with back
shautleS cor more precautions cottages
coupled many of the points; and,
bark! what sount: is that3 No heron'S
scream, or wild ducks screech, but q
yeritable steam whistle; and, ia the
distance, we can just distinguish 4
little tug standing at the deck. Pres
emily. coming nearer, we had q view
of the passengers, among whom, with
the September sun gliding her brown
kair, we first saw Maud.
Il say 1--WE" for Toms subduea
whistle told me that his heart had
been smitten by this nut-brown maid
as well as NINE. She was chatting
merrily with her brother and father,
who stood close by. We could hear
their voices, and distinguish the
names, Maud and Jack, by which the
brother and sister addressed each
other, but nothing more. Apparently,
however, they were talking Of us; fer,
the little tug having started just as we
came alongside, our plucky little guide
determined on a race. The wind was
against him, but he held his own
and, though the steamer passed ahead
of us into the narrow Marion river,
the cheer of the passengers showed
that they considered him victorious,
while Maud beamed upon him in a
way that made us both wish that we
held the oars.
She stood ON the bow of the little
steamer with the venerable woods be-
hind her; but their green branches
and shadowy space were, for me, only
background 10 intensity the picture
OF her youth and beauty. With the
sight of her l felt that l had had
enough of loneliness, and longing
came over me, such as l had some
times felt in college. when the soft
tone of a woman's voice reminded me
of home.
As we sped among the lily-pads,