Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-08-15

Va nature nv 1'N "'~i ~
around each other in perfect twists,
some growing side by side with
limbs projecting through each other.
Trees twenty feet high abruptly
return to the roots, and trees of
that height are sometimes covered
with Towering vines. While we
rest in grape vine arbor the gol-
den robin and other gaudy birds
twittcr about us, and the weird buzz
of lOcuSts fills the woods. We pass
by little pond, glistening in its
dignity as Magnolia Lake, and cir
cling to the west Of Wildwood
come out at Anglcsea on the upper
end of the island. Some one has
gathered a bunch Of wild roses and
holly for "the good, gray poet, I"
Walt. Whitman, whom we find
here. The gruG old man is attired
in SLOUGH hat and flannel shirt, and
though feeble with age, is as fond
Of humanity in all its forms as ever
he was. His actions still repeat
his words,
80 beloved race IN all
o my breast aches with tender love for ALL
OF mourn and yet exult,
am wnpt with love for NIL"
Would that his nature and writings
we're such that we could all love
them as he loves us.
1t is dark when we start "south.
ward home" again, and we take our
path inland for the tide is high, and
as we toll through the sand which
is not hardened by the water it
drifts around it like snow, and our
journey is a dark and slow one. At
the Wildwood Breakw alter we rest
again. Here we enjoy one of the
most curious sights in nature. We
have pitched tent in the very clouds
and watched the moon climb up to
US, and have slept in deep ravines
where she peered down at us, but
we had never yet seen her come up
out of the ocean. AS we first stretch
ourselves on the breakwater we
are shrouded in darkness. 4 few
stars twinkle above, and the white.
fringed pillows are visible along the
shore, but the great body of ocean
is dark, and only the wash Of surf
disturbs the "huge and thoughtful
night" Presently the east begins
to Tighten and we know that she is
coming. All, who ever waited for
more chaste and beautiful sight
And now just the upper edge is
visible above the dark water, and
for three minutes we watch in 81.
lence, until the great red moon
seems to have risen out of old ocean.
and goes sailing up in all her glory.
at first faint Streaks of light fall on
the coast, and as she rises the CLEAN
iengthens across the water till its
silver pathway leads outward to
the very SPOT from which she rose
Tic tide is falling again as we
resume cur way, and keeping close
to the water we pass down the coast
to where our winged boat" rides
at her moorings, and there we
laugh and talk about the Jersey
coast till we grow tired, and all
agree that the wash Of waters along
the sand is good only for a season
In part, friends, laying aside all
prejudice, and speaking in very
truth | am happily forced to say
that after pitching my tent among
the Black Mountains of North
Carolina, and in the Wilds to the
very Pacific, | have missed the
Silycry lakes. Among the lakes OF
Minnesota and Michigan | have
looked for the big mountains, and
along the coast | have seen not
either, and until | can rekindle my
camp fire where | first built it in
my boyhood something will be
lacking. The true sportsman cares
not for the sea. He loves the BIG
mountains, crystal lakes and mys.
FERROUS woods. All these | shall
find when the tent has completed
its circuit and lights once more
among the Green Mountains.
GAIL Henry.
Holly Beach, N. j., Aug. S, 1890.