New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-05
WHERE POETIC FANcIES ARISE.
A GLIMPSE AT TREES AND STREAMS AND HILLS

IN THE COUNTRY
The Long Island man, travelling through New
Jersey and the adjacent parts of New-York State
cannot fail TO notice the difference between them,
though they are only few miles apart The scenery OF
Long Island is cheerful open and lovely That OF
NewJersey and New-York is stern, melancholy and
Wild Long Islands horizon is clear and free, and its
skies meet embracing New-Jersey's skies are
broken by pine and hemIocke clad mountains and It's
woods are tangled and forbdding The effect Of the
scenery monotOnous only in its general character,
and ever charming in its details, is TO create
sense of loniness which is enhanted by trip through
those silent woods, that often stretch for
miles unbroken save by occasional farms. To him
who has never travelled through some Of these parts Of
NewJersey and New York except In the cars, tramp
on foot would bring revelations Men rush OIL 70 dis
tant wids daily and the value Of their pleas
trips by the number Of miles covered in reaching
their destination. when solitude, picturesque scenery
and In many ceses good sport with rod and gun can
be obtained within fifty miles Of New-Yorb.
Qusspeake Valley is place of this character. You
may look for it on the best maps published without
finding IT, though il Is within thirty miles of the City
Hail. When the Indians reigned unacQuanted with
the thunder Of powder and bullet they called it with
their natural poetic instinct and 10 was LETT for the
civilized to give it a heather name. like many
beautiful spots which must ever bear the burden Oh
such names as SmlthstOwn and HcksviHe.
The serene Ramapo Mountains look down on 10,
and from their heights send laughing brooks TO splash
through the sounding woods. Cascade follows cas-
cade and below them STILL black pools reflect the ferns
and flowers around the bank, while rabbits look
curiously and fearfully from the distant bush with
large liquid eyes and extended quivering You
NAV wander all day from woods to meadows, rocks
and through tangled, tborny underbrush without meet
ing living being, save sometimes an angler. who
cautiously and silently whips the brook.
To one who has never seen good Ay-caster at
work. the sight is most interesting. Every motion of
man and rod is perfect in its beauty. Cautiously he
approaches to within about thirty feet OF the brink
then Yields his rod with short whiplike motions; so
fast flies the line with the feathered deception at its
end that almost ere the eye follow it is heightened
ont forty feet behind him. Another swift notion
and the bright flies drop in the very centre OF the
pool dantlly and lightly, and Just escaping the
overhanging root, perfect is the casters Skill II
there Is no rise he casts again and again. covering
every foot If likely Suddenly something NASH
ing and strong, and quick breaks from the cover OF
the bank with mighty burst Of water the roo
curves I'm springng semi circle, and the reel shreks
a- the line rapidly leaves it. The lucky angler ods
the rod high and braces himself securely for this IS
no baby trout that tugs with such fierce strength.
Now he breaks clear from the water twelve incheS OF
determined fish, each inch snewy and compact each
inch in angry fight against the BIT OF steel that nc
NAV not shake loose and against the thin line ana
rod that he may not break, try he will, leap as
he NAV As he heads upstream the strain turns MIN
IN the hank there is violent tapping rs ne strikes
The shallow and then ne lies on the grass with MS
snotted sides shining in silent protest against the
beautiful life about 10 be ended. -. III,
Walk on a bit, and from under your very feet VII
dart a grouse with mighty whlr OF WthSs, 50 iaSt
that the eve is con sccus only Of line Of brown that
marks the fight Of this feathered bullet among the
trees or a covey Of quail will Jump from under your
feet like leaves blown up by the wind; --- Adj,
As the evening closes In over the hills, crows nock
horeward from the fields with their discOnsoate harsh
cries ringing loudly from the quiet sky and II YOU are
particularly lucky you may see gliding, 1.-the, DOG
like animal steal cautiously along the edge OF the woods
70 visit some heDroOst. And II you have any poetry
in your soul you will not welcome the red eye OF me
train that 70 carry You back TO paVenenIs anu