Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-08
MAUD.

We met by chance, of course; and
equally, Of course, it was case Of
ave at first sight. We had no
Formal introduction, no drawing
t@Om acquaintance. On one of the
oyeliest lakes in the midst of the
adirondack wilderness Maud's brown
eyes were first turned upon me
1t was two years since Tom Watkins
md l, proud of our four years expert
snces and cur brand-new sheepskins.
had left Amherst with mingled feel
Ings of JOY and regret. Tom went
Immediately into the office of fam
Dus New England morning paper,
and made his way steadily up on it's
editorial crops.
| had gone into partnership with nv
father, and worked like slave, lest
4s should be ashamed of me; for had
% immense respects for him, and
anew he despised lazjness.
Having then worked two years
without interruption, Tom and I both
5Rlt that we had earned a vacation,
&nd, by little planning, we mauag-
I'D to get off together in September of
5hs comparatively uneventfUl year
slgateen hundred and eighty.
We both voted for the mountains
instead of the sea, and for New York
instead of New Hampshire; so we
s9aFtc3 out determined to see all that
re 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 complete rest from
EGe' Use Of the pen. There would be
40 IOve-letterS to write every night
when tired and dull; and occasional
postal card, wher9Upon were scrubbed
few words 10 pencil, would sat isfy
our friends at home.
Neither did we set out witb any idea
Of meeting our fate We went to en-
JOY the woods and each other: we
rather shunned then sought society.
especially that of ladies.
After day on Lake George we took
tne. eastern route into the woods.
spolsaing night at Elizabethtown.
ThenSg we tranped to Keene, the
clear nntai ltain streams, deep, cool
woods, and land towering peaks,
more than nfakl1g up for the hard
roads and thick duse SO that, though
ired, we were more than satisfied
wa our first days experience.
As we had resolved to 900" the |
nountaias, we climbed the cloud
leayer, T2hawas; We spent shiyer- !
~ night on Whiteface, whence we |
watched Lake Placid brighten under
he morning sun; we picked four
eaved clover from John Browns
rave at North Elba; we started deer
n the Indian pass. and saw our guide !
XII it; and, to crown all, we came out /
If the woods by way of the lakes.
Our guide was why little fellow, |
too slight to carry a boat, we thought |
until we watched him in a wrestling
match. when he showed him tough as
wbip-cord and we had no more fears.
Starting irons the lower Saranac on
a dull afternoon, a georgous sunset lit
gp the clouds, and lake as we rowed
swiftly along; then, as the rich pur-
ple and crimson faded, the crescent
moon broke through the clouds, and
We had. car first experience OF car
RES IN jhis uncertain twilight. 1t
was only a short walk. however, and
then vge glided across the black waters
of Refund Lake In an utter silence,
saYesfor the plash OF the oars and the
scream of loon or ndghthawk.
Next day we wound along the
RaQuette river, whose waters were
low. and whose shores, even thus
early, glowed with autumn color.
Our nights. were spent at 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 rleh
vegetation of the carries, without
wandering even when the fire, still
raging, had obliterated every trace OF
q trail to our unaccustomed eyes.
Occasionally we heard the incon-
yruous sound of human voices other
5han own and came upon similar
boating party. Now and then we
heard the baying of dogs, and knew
thaa some poor deer was in distress.
or we saw an uncommon bird, and
listened to its wild note; but for the
raost 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 fairylike to lsng eyes
anaecustomed to such beauty!
AS we came out upon Raquette
Lake, we felt as If we were approach
ing civilization; clearings, with back
shanties or more pretentions cottages
scupied many of the points; and