Morning journal and courier., 1889-09-27
A TOURNEY ON FOOT.
From New Haven to che Berkshires-'
 Intersssing Events on she way.

A JOURNEY ON FOOT. From New Haven to the Berkshires--
 Interssting Events on she way. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 We had planned to leave the City Of Films for the Berkshire hills on Thursday, August 1st, and although the weather had been rainy for weeks previous, off we started ct lo;4o m the morning for our first days trip. Thirty one miles was the programme, and up the Cheshire turnpike we travelled towards the Sleeping Giant seven miles distant. Thunder mon our left did not deter us, for we were bound to make Pennington the first day. On account of the excessive rains the night be- fore, all the streams were greatly swollen, and in several places had submerged the roads. Shortly after leaving Mount Carmel we took the track to avoid such road but soon came to another, where we wasted no time but went through water knee deep. Reaching the other side in ten minutes we continued our journey barefooted for four miles, and were highly benefited thereby: The afternoon turned out beautifully ana our course through Cheshire, Southington and Plainville was very pleasant. Owing to the lateness of our starting and the showers which detained us we reached Farmington just as the curfew was ringing out It's good night. Here we passed the first night. Fri day was very warm so we didn't leave till o'colck. As our trip was to be twentysone miles this afternoon our travel was quite rapid. With the Pennington river upon the left as far as Avon, and upon the right to Simsbury, we continued on to South wick. The road from Granby to the Massa- chusetts line was very dark, for 1t passes kk~ou uo1 kl.a and ot tbfa Iata hnur VI could see hardly @ foot ahead of us. Travel | ing four or Ave miles an hour, suddenly we would slide into @ mud puddle and then strike . rock or bush. The moon of three or | four days old just cast 6 feeble ray upon the open pathway, but in the woods her light was dim. It was just 10:S0 when we halted at the Southwick inn, we'll inside the Massa- ohusetts line. Leaving Southwick at nine o'clock next morning our course lay through Westfeld. The approach to this place from | the south is very pretty, and to us the town itself was delightful. This is quite a rail- road center and very busy place 1t seems as one passes through 1t. As one days trip hurry, SO waited from Il to 9 o'clock, when we passed over the sandy and level road to- wards Southampton. This village, lying as 1t does in valley sncircled by high hills, presented picture of repose to us that warm afternoon as we rounded @ curve at 4 | o'clock and saw the church spire above the trees. Four miles further and we were in the town of Easthampton, where. we stayed | till Monday with the exception of an after noon walk over to Northampton on Sunday for health's sake. The shady streets and fine buildings of Northampton are very pleasing and invite the traveller to come again and make farther acquaintance with 1t.
 FARM HOUSE.
 It was our intention to leave Easthampton for the Berkshires on Monday and make the trip to Pittsfeld. 40 miles, in two days. What we really did, however, will appear hereafter. A gloomy morning succeeded splendid eve- ming, but rain could not break our purpose, even though we had no umbrella-we carry no unnecessary luggage with us. Our course from Easthampton was westerly through the towns of Florence and Northampton. Twice | we took refuge from heavy rain in the woods, and, as bad weather continued, we came to . farm house where two young ladies took good care of us and made us feel at home quickly. Jn the meantime the rain increased, but din- ner was evidently preparing in the next | room, two circumstances not at all unfavor- able to us, after having finished the ninth | mile. Mir. - soon came in, and placing his chair by the table exclaimed. 'I suppose you'd like some dinner, wouldn't youi' to which we responded "yes," and did justice to the neal But what time we hadi The old Newfoundland Philip, whose every mo- tion is accompanied bya groan, was an obs ject of some amusement, and Miss - called him out. Suddenly our host made the remark that that young. man reminded him of cousin in l which one he referred to, said in farm ter mology "the of one." Knowing something of our sunburned appearance, this fact, to- gether with the allusion to South Africa con- vulsed us, and our apologies for excessive hi- larity were doubtless rather poor.
 The rain was over by two o'clock and bid ding our friends goodbye, who asked our | the mud we went barefooted for three hours. Our courseswas four miles up hill, and by a most charming road which curves in and out afording delightful views. There are lofty hills thereon, meadows stretching away towards more distant ones. The sound of water Is ever present. No soon- CT were VIC out of the sound of one brook when the roar of another would greet our ears. Suddenly pretty brook upon our | right trembling over rocks would appear, then one on the left. Fine trees above us and on either side of the road form treat down these hills the ride must be splendid. It was at twenty minutes after three, when reaching the summit of the four mile ascent a glorious view burst upon us. The sun had appeared and the clouds were hurrying away before sun- set thus assisting in forming picture which we can never forget. Beneath this radiance, light blue and darker alternating, rising one behind the other, the ridges of the Berkshires stood forth stretching north and south. Here we paused to refresh ourselves with the sight before descending. A mile farther and VIC began to rise again well on the way to Ches terfeld. The sky was clear, as mounting 6 high hill we entered this elevated town Upon leaving the grocery store an old farmer exclaimed, "You have to have license tc walk through this town barefooted." Now we had to descend again and soon put on oul shoes after walk of nine miles without them. From here to Worthington the road for the most part is less hilly and very beau. tifol. Turning curve the golden sunlight would strike us, and then the effect of the light and shadow as we entered the wood wal splendid. Here, too, numerous branches of the Westfeld river, as they tumble down the hills, assisted in making the walk most pleasing. Just before entering Worthington very steep hill must bs climbed. which is . mile long. While such a sudden ascent was not very pleasant, still we were well repaid for the efort: Away to the east seven miles Chesterfield hill was glistening in the sunlight and the rolling country of Hsmp- shire northward toward Cummington partly in the sunlight and partly in shadow, for it was about sundown, presented grand view Wishing to buy quart of milk here young lady brought us @ generous amount, saying al the same time, "You may have It." Thus reinforced, we kept on up some easy grades determined to make Dalton, thirty-six miles from Northampton, ,and. .now we were but three miles from Berkshire county at the farthest The road desoends rapidly with fine views to the west. Here the sun left us and soon we were greeted by Pittsfeld guide posi-
 which pleased ub not little. The moor was bright in the evening and we were thus enabled to make good time over indifferent roads, rendered still poorer by the recent heavy rains.
 Perchsd upon lofty hill stands the Peru Congregational church with it's old fashioned box pews. So fiercely do the wintry winds blow over this bleak summit that the spire is held firmly by iron cables ranning into the rock bed. It is also an interesting fact that the rain falling off the east side of the church finds its way to the Connecticut river, while that running off the west eide enters the Housatonio waters.
 Peru as the name suggests Is tho highest inhabited place in Massachusetts. This town commands a magnificent view of tht country in all directions for miles around We passed the church at 8:25 and then be gan to descend gradually.
 II A AsrARTLINa SCENE.
 At twenty minutes to nine our course wal suddenly interrupted by barricade across the roadway. Crossing this, fallen treel which had evidently been lately cut wer. discovered in the road, and moment latel | Al