Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-08-21
AUsABLE CHAsM.
West Rando,ph. A

Nest hunuOipni aug z, w.
/ Ausable Chasm in the Adirondack
mountains was the destination of a party
OF fifty-tive excursionists who started
Wednesday morning from this town by
way of the Central Vermont railroad. A
private car had been placed at their dis
posal and the morning train took them
quickly into Burlington where they put
up at the Van Ness House. The afternoon
was spent in driving about the city. The
sun sent down his rays with all his might
and the mercury climbed higher and high
er until the temperature had become al
most uncomfortable. The guests at the Van
Ness however, were comfortably lodged
in the roomy old mansion across the
street. Promptly at half past eight the
next morning the party boarded one of
the trim little Lake Champlain steamers,
1.-The Chateaugay" and were soon steam
ing swiftly toward the New York shore of
this beautiful body OF fresh water. The
contour OF the famous York State noun
tains was dimly discernible through the
misty atmosphere that hung like brides
veil over the wavy surface of the lake. A
delightful sail OF an hour brought the par
ty to Port Kent. A special car on the
Delaware and Hudson Canal Co.'S. railroad
was in waiting to convey the excursion
lists to Ausable station. Through the kind
ness OF Mr.. Tracy of the Lake View House
the whole party was transferred from the
station to the Chasm. Much has been
already written of the weird impressive
ness of this noted Eastern canon, but no
idea can be had of its magnificent pict-
uresqueness without actually seeing it.
~ III IL
embroideries of green foliage, spangled
with goldenrod and purple harebells, rise
perpendicularly to height OF three hun
dred feet. The inky little stream runs
wildly along its way chattering and Cos
siping with the echoes that ceaselessly re-
peat its foolish little sayings to one an
other. Little foamy waterfalls roar them
selves hoarse and then suddenly becom-
ing dumb and melancholy, run smooth
and dark along a narrow pathway. In
some places the stream is hardly ten feet
wide while its depth is said to be sixty
feet or more. During the tramp through
this sombel Dantesque cliff in the eternal
hills terrific fall OF rain came down on
the unoffending heads OF the travellers who
were, however almost ready to welcome
the discomfort in the added grandeur OF
the scene. At the lower end of the Chasm
the party was divided and taken a dozen
at a time in a row boat through the rap
ids. A delightful drive thro woods redo
lent with the perfume of wet blossoms
brought the party back to the Lake View.
By this time the travellers were in good
appetite and were glad enough to sit down
to a good dinner well served. The genial
Mr.. Tracy, proprietor OF the Lake View
spared no pains to make himself remem-
bered by his guests by his kindness and
courtesy. The hotel is situated on high
ground, FIVE hundred feet above the sur
face of the lake and overlooks that lovely
sheet of water and the Green Mountains
beyond. 1t is beautifully kept and one
would go far to find a more ENJOYABLE
place in which to spend a few idle days.
The sail back across the beautiful lake
was no less delightful than it had been in
the morning. On landing at Burlington
the special car of the tourists was found
waiting at the pier. The evening train
conveyed the car and its well pleased oc-
cupants back to Randolph, the entire trip
having consumed only thirty-six hours
The trip was an exceptionally ENJOYABLE
one owing to the uRtiring efforts OF the
two projectors, Mr.. Howells and Mr..
Story and no feeling of responsibility
weighed down the spirits lof the partici-
pants, thanks to their able management.
II at any future time a like excursion
should be contemplated there are fifty
five names which will go down on the list
without any hesitation.