The Portland daily press., 1890-10-20
The Mountain Excursion.

As many as eight orl nine hundred people
went on the Maine Central excursion through
Crawford Notch yesterday. The early
morning gave promise of at least partly clear
weather, and In the homes Of numerous la
borers active preparations were made for
the days enjoyment. At 8 o'clock, on many
a side street leading to Congress, small fami-
ly parties and otherwise were to be seen
each carrying lunch in box, bag or basket,
and all hurrylng to the horse cars. 1t was
certainly novel sight for Sunday morning.
but opportunities for this class of people to
visit the White Mountains are so rare that
most people were disposed to regard the trip
kindly, even though iG was. perhaps. hardly
an exactly proper manner in which to OBJ
serve the Lords day.
Twelve cars were loaded with passengers
at the Union Station. and promptly at 9
o'clock the long train pulled out, hauled by
two engines. A few passengers were picked
up at each Of the way stations. The crowd
was very orderly, behaving most OF the time
with decorum proper for the day. The men
promenaded good deal from car to car, but
that was an innocent amusement for them
though tiresome to the others.
At Fryeburg the rain began to descend
from clouds which had. all tie forenoon,
been threatening to spread moisture over
the mountain region. Another engine was
attached at Bartlett, being coupled on at the
rear to help push the heavy train over the
long grade to Crawfords Scurrying clouds
enveloped the mountain peaks, obscuring to
quite an extent the beautiful scenery.
The foliage is not as highly cOlored as
many had expected to see it, yellow-tinged
leaves predominating instead Of the crimson
shades which make the effect so grand. But
seen in such profusion. even the light yellow
colors give a beautiful appearance to this
landscape. AS the train slowly proceeded
up the deep cut valley, the cradle Of the Sa-
co, the windows we're opened for observa-
tion. unmindful Of the falling moisture.
Some grand views of the valley were OBJ
tained, though Of course the delights Of the
scenes we're nothing to what they would
have been had the sun been shining half
dezen stopped at Crawfords. but the majori-
ty proceeded to Fabyan's, arriving few
minutes past one. This large hotel was
closed, but all available hooks and shelters
were utilized for the spreading of lunches,
while many remained in the cars to enjoy
their picnic repasts in comfort. 1t was an
amusing spt ctacle, the entire abandon of
style and reckless use OF fingers in the dis
position Of those lunches, But all was
quietly done. 1t was serious matter par
ticularly to those whose after remarks be-
trayed the alarming facts that sheets Of jun.
bo gingerbread. double sized doughnuts
and generous mince Piles had been masticat-
ed with avidity. Whether reflections of the
excursion are now cheerful to those who
thus indulged is matter Of interesting CO
lecture. They were happy for time at any
rate.
The return was made in good time, the
tram leaving Fabyan's at 2 o'clock and ar
irving in the city about G. The exclusion was
as enjoyable as possible with such unpropl-
tious weather, which prevented any glimpse
OF Mount Washington and the other famous
Deaks