The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-01-23
AND DEMOCRAT, BTOOMsBURG COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA

more salubrious climate could not easily
he found It contains no mining districts
nor railroad facilities at present, but there
are fair prospects for both in the near fu-
ture. We will now return to our first sub.
| iect and add other features to the narrative.
From the summit of Mob Mountain which
overlooks the entire valley, bounded by
these mighty mountain walls, and the hor-
izon, the votary of scenery and pleasure
| has rare view, picturesque, romantic and
grand beyond description, which cannot
well be surpassed in grandeur and beauty
Here the whole valley opens to view its en-
| tire length and breadth. The numerous
wales and dales, hills and sides, slopes and
gorges present pleasing aspect The
| cultivated fields, patches of woods farm
buildings and towns add to its splendor
Here the poet has rapturous field, and
transporting prospect. Each particular
season has its peculiar charms. In the
Spring all nature fresh and alive with the
warble of birds and the gentle zephyrs, the
orchards and trees in full bloom, the foli-
age fairly started, the grain fields and
meadows green from the congenial rays of
the sun, the bcholder is transported in i'm.
agination to state of new existence. In
the Summer the busy, toilipg masses may
be seen preparing the soil for the reception
Of seeds and the gathering OF the rich and
bountful crops so common, for this ia.
nous and historic section of country. In
the "balmy, smoky days" Of Autumn and
days of 'many colored leaves" the hazy
atmosphere renders double beauty to all
objects seen through its partial obscurity
and dimncss. And during its frosty morn
ings come laundering upa confusion of
mingled sounds from the report of the
sportsman's gun, whacll of the axe, pound.
ing with the threshers fail or mechanics
hammer and rumbling OF wheels and other
causes from the busy populace below. In
the evening, when all objects fade in the
| twilight, and the mantle Of darkness en-.
| shrouds all nature in obscurity, aud every
| thing is hushed in rcpose, and the silence
only broken by the occasional hootng of
the owl, or cry of the will beast, it is not
without its attractions. The lonely ohser-
yer in the socmnity OF night in solitude
| from the mountains height is greeted with
an almost innumerable host of gimmering
| lights streaming forth from the lamps OF
every dwelling, like beacon lights signal
| ing the wanderers home, or to warn them
of approaching danger. But the home cir
| Gle, with all its eudearments, charms, at
fractions, domestic duties, family chats
| and jokes, and other evening employments
| with childish amusemeuts, and all things
else worth living for are represented by
every light that ponetrates the darkness
! ALI q! it is scene that needs the guardian
care of angels. Still later on in the night
as one after another flickers away and dis
| appears, he may well conclude from
tie few remaining lights what careful
watching with anxiety aud fear, lest ma.
| lignant diseases, suffering, and perhaps
| death have entered some humble homes
and rendered some of them broken, dis
consulate and unhappy. And, oh =! what
sympathy they need.
Winter is not without its charms, though
its frigdity will not permit much of obser-
walton. Its sports and pleasures are more
attractive than its sceneries But, to
crown all-in Il densely foggy morning, as
one ascends its heights, and gradually
! rises above the fog, as though emerging
| from the depths of the sea, until he enters
into the clear sunshine of day, above the
| even surface of the mist What pros
pect! What sight! and what a thought.
An apparition of a beautiful, broad and eX-
tensive lake, without sign of vessel on
| its white sheet, and bounded by the shores,
| viz: the tops of Mob and North Noun
tains, with all the inhabitants and every
thing he left behind engulfed beneath its
bosom. 1t reminds one of Lot fleeing
from the cities of destruction. And as
the sound of the hum and drum of the bus
mess of the sturdy yeomanry from below
comes through its depths he is struck
with astonishment, wonder ave-
BENTON.