The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-06-13

Suffered no discomfort from rain or mud
dy roads. For with two swift, strong
horses and one We can always count on
a safe we, could and lii laugh At the
storm.
We drive on To Madison Centre, wien
passing HAYDEN Lake and pau,ins for a
word Of explanation TO our Augusta
friends we are much sratidcd At their
surprise and delight, a~ this beautiful
sheet Of walrr. surrounded by noble
forest trees and green cultivated fields,
Vas now for tAr first time seen. The
farms here aud there, on orr way
through Madison. Solon and Bingham in
fact all through eur route attracted GOV.
Burlcigh> attention, who * HOW ST.
M for the hr~t time this section Of
Somerset County. The good land with
growing crops large barns pleasant
thrifty homes With the sure evidences Of
taste and Refinement in the shrubs ard
howcr- that even a swift passing glance
Zivrs are completed and made perfect by
he picture 50 often presented Of the
beautiful happy faces Of the children. the
GROWING joy of home.
And not oulY fields, level and emerald
green, stretching far and wide to reach
he forest greet our eyes, but to these are
added the view of hills and distant mount
aims, blue and irregular. Leaving Madi-
son, and when about two miles from
Scion village, we come upon picture
unsurpassed for at least miles around as
IN hill a bal. is called and the rain ccas-
ing for time, we enjoy this wondruus
view. Mountains blue in the dis
lance at our left. hills clad in freshest
green, the forest, far reaching and sol
emn, the cultivated fields coming to an
abrupt pause or gently slopng down to
greet the noble, bcncliccnt kenuebec,
lowing swiftly ~ though Christening
from the town it has so richly blest.
Far distant the cleaning white, with
soft grey roofs. or brighter colorS of the
village houses, the gardens and orchards,
with the varying shades of evergreen
trees defining the streets, the sky from
deepest grey To softe,t pearl and blue
yelled with drifting white looking down
upon the lovely picture 1t so often Sees
and has helped to make. Would this
scene from daily or at least frequent
witnessing become more or less wonder
tui and lmpressive-we ponder the sub
ject and now decide one way aud now
another as we wind slowly down to Solon
village, where we cannot stay for din
ncr awaits US at the next town.
And now the sharp click of the horses
hoofs on tho hard firm streets is exehang-
ed for the frequent plunge of the wheels
into the soft mud and the splash Of water
As quickened time is made. Not only the
recent rains but road repairing make the
- linn Ia Il tttsnlt In nlups. and
gather from frequent observations Of the
gentlemen of our party that road mend
lng is a good deal like house cleaning. it
is inevitable but the right time-tie per
fectly convenient season-to attend TO it,
never seems to come, But next Autumn
Is the traveller bowls along over the
smooth firm roadway the good will be
more apparent
We are gradually leaving behind the
smooth level meadows which AS we ap-
proacks Bingham are broken up into
picturesque bits of grassy bank fringcd
with tall trees aud graceful shrubs and
always the beautiful river. Quite dcccp-
i've is our view of the village as To dIs-
lance plainly seen are the stores, houses
aud church while we are so far away as
to hear no hum or stir of business, far
few moments to the peaceful village be-
low. And as we drive on tantalized
with the enchanting views of the village
so near and yet 50 far" now entering
The deep slumberous wood where the
brooklet claims our attention
for moment having lost sight of our
river, we question the reality of our vii
Iage. Lovely as fancy can picture,
n1A 4 /
itself real stirring reality a. it bursts up
IN Us and we are driving up to the Stage
House
We note the fact that in the mornings
lrivc Of twenty three miles we have only
PASSED one deserted Ii use, which speaks
well for our Somerset County.
We have a good dinner, to which has
lecn added Parlin Pond trout and while
Se bless the people who sent the deli
,ious treat little guess we may on the
morrow meet and thank the California
.ourlsts who will soon follow their
hamper of trout. While resting our
lorses we chat on the probable or possible
urn the weather may take and the Bing
IAN people near by come in to see Gov.
iurlcigh or he strolls about the streets
old acquaintance or greeting
lew ones who are impressed with the
anne frank sincere manner, which has
lnly grown little older and which call
ii forth from his friends in boyhood the
aging "he is always the same We are
eminded of remark of his on this very
morning when to the proposal to start
ven in the rain, we left the decision
With him, he said, IL do not care so much
or the fishing but | would like to meet
the people" The fishing rod was not
sed for the lack of time and the abun-
ance of rain prevented, but the Cover
lor did make it possible to see great
many people in their homes, or shops
n on the streets.
Again we are of and the rain having
cased we point out as we drive out OF the
illage some fayorite views and try to
rcpare the minds of our friends who
ave never been over the ground for what
5 before them. The drive is full of in
crest whether winding through the valley
+. creeping up some ascent and now we
all the appearance of the red columbine
nd WE ladies are presented with gener-
us boquets by the gentlemen of the par
y. Watching the cloud shadows with
heir curious play of light and shade, we
re suddenly made aware Of the fact that
he grandeur of storm in Il narrow
mountain pass is to be added to the won
ers of the day. We can hardly see
ometimes for the binding rain but this /
My disturbs us on our horses account
nd they mind it very little although one
Gentleman remarks that should the hail
ollUw We should be in a difficult position
IS the road in some places is exceedingly |
narrow and a hail storm is quite terrifying
. horse on familiar road, even
Thunder and tightening accompany the
ain and seem in harmony with this
Grand scene so much of natures work, So
title around to tell of man.
In Moscow we had missed the old land
mark Carncy'S Hotel, destroyed by fire
hort time ago. one of our party found
he old hearthstone and proceeded to
.ather the bright memories of a moon
light drive of some ten years since, when
cheerful fire was lighted on that now
old and deserted hearth
What tales of good cheer and happy
hearts, rs well as of weird, sad histories
'ould this silent stone relate. Let US
Iere pause and listen moment while
hey speak of the former owner Carney,
If his hearty welcome, his kind good bye
a the passing traveller,
One mile and half above Carney's We
'ome to Carrying Place, rendered famous
~ Arnold's expedition in the autumn of
10. Here you ferry across if you wish
o 20 in to Carry Pond noted fishing
,round. But we drive on through Cara
unk thriving place with neat houses,
'arns and gardens. We drive through
With the same promise we made to our
elves at Scion that we would call on our
eturn. On we go noting again and again
he advantage of the telephone, not only
o the inhabitants all along the river but
% the travelling public, extending five
niles above the Forks.
The lighted windows of the Forks Ho-
eel CLEAN out of the trees and over the
,road river. J. IL. Frame the landlord
,reets us cordially. We ladies' dress for
ga, which means the Encouragement of