Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-23
CHAPTER IL

when was o young man Of nineteen or
twenty, paid visit to friend who resided
at town on the sea-coast 1t was most TO-
mantio spot; beyond the town lofty range Of
cliffs stretched for miles both to the right and
left The sea, at high water, dashed against
the base OF these cliffs with q laundering
sound which could be distinctly heard in the
town, and which, until became accustomel
10 IT, prevented me from sleeping; but, at low
water, there was o narrow strip OF sandy
beach between the base of the cliffs and the
sea- These cliffs were precipitous as we'll as
lofty, rugged crags in some places jQlting over
in such manner ~ To terrliy strangers, and
lead them to imagine that the rocks were
about to fall and crush them. The 0onstant
action Of the weather had worn these rocks
into every conceivable shape; and in many
places there were huge cavernous openings in
the sides of the cliffs, which appeared az II they
might penetrate 10 q considerable distance,
though all that could be discerned from the
shore was the dark, gloomy opening. Toward
nightfall the seab rd5 resorted to the cliffs in
great numbers and, after whirling for several
minutes in clrcuitous flight, utterlng the while
the most discordant screams, they would dis
appear into these caves, where, doubtless,
they had their nests Even as a boy, 1 was
fond of fine scenery, whether Of domestic or
romantic character, and nothing pleased me
better than 10 stroll along the seashore be-
neath these battling preclpices; or, when the
tide was high, to roam along the rugged path
which dashed them, sometimes seeming TO
cause them to tremb'e with its mighty force,
AMI often sending the salt spray in showers,
even TO the height at which stood and gazed
Il have observed that was and am fond OF
beautiful scenery; but have fancy Of my
own that different descriptions Of scenery re-
auire different conditions Of the weather in
order TO be seen 10 perfection. The fields, and
woods, and pasture-lands, and the country viii
la0a. situated in the fertile valley, with the
pointed spire OF the church, towering above
the surrounding trees; the farmhouse, with
Its barns and oHthouses, and graDaries-in q
word, domestic scenery Of every description
when It IL gildsd by the bright warm sun
shine: but the lofty mountain range, with the
Jagged pinnacles towering above the clQnds,
and capped with perpetual snow, or the rug
god, precipitous cliffs which grid tho sea- SHORE
alike romantic and terrible should be seen
when the wind IL high and the sky II lowering,
when tho storm RACES and the thunder rolls
above and around thom, and the forked light
ming plays in their m It in order that their
might and grandeur may be fully appreciated
Il usually chose q dark, dull, gloomy day for
my rsmbles on the coast, and, on one occasion,
having startad earlier than usual, prolonged
my walk toe gresteF distance than ever 1 had
done before, A keen soHtheasterly wind was
blowing, and IN sty rain was falling when l
set out shiyered ~ drew my cloak more
closely around mo; but by walking rapidly,
soon acquired suific.ent warmth, and when
reached the seashoro. and stood watching the
angry waves rising and foaming, and rolling
broke upon the beach with o noise like
thunder, and dashel the secthing surf against
the rocky precipices while the sea-birds,
frightened from their nests, rushed out with
discOrdant screams, and circling round seemed
like the spirits that guided the storm. l felt