Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-05-22

by George Underhill. Mr.. Underhill's
farm lay up in basin of the high noun
tain back of Dorset. The Judson horse
was foaled about 1921 and sold about
1880 to Nathan Judson of Pawlet, who
kept him the remainder of his life.
We saw, too, at Dorset signs of the
marble industry, which has existed there
for many years. At East Dorset we
crossed the railroad that runs from Rut-
land to Bennington and directly after
commenced the ascent of the nam range
of the Green Mountains. From the coun-
try of handsome dwellings and fertile
fields we passed now to one of continu
Gus mountain ascent and sparse settle
ments. a trout stream came from the
heights above and was full of story of
the wonderful country it had left. Trees
adorned the mountain side, although
they were largely cut away, and as
we went higher all had been cut for char
coal. Three miles of pretty constant as
cent brought u to that region which the
brook had told of, a land now in part of
deserted farms. The air grew colder,
snoWdrfts appeared, and country
which has been cultivated for many
years, the wonder being not that it is
now deserted. but that 1t was ever cult
waited at all; but this very top of the
Green Mountains seems to have been
quite attractive to settlers. We were
now in the town of Peru, and skirting a
high mountain to the north that rose
above the general level, we came with
gradual descent to the hotel
This was to me a new part of Vermont
gore big enough for a dozen towns,
that swells up on to the highest range of
Green Mountains at the west, and falls
from a heavy line of hills to the
east 1t ends at the north at Mt.
Holly, where the two ranges of hills
divide. 1t is a fitting addition to
the mountainous character of Vermont,
though not an especially productive one.
1t is as we understand a favorite region
of deserted farms and made the eyes of
Mr.. Valentine, our late deserted farm
historian and secretary. water with de-
light The landlord tells me that he APP
peared on the scene, flanked by Gov
Page and Ex-Governor Dillingham;, and
allotted farms by the dozen to band OF
Swedes imported for this purpose, who
were poor enough when they came and 6
good deal poorer when they left. These
farms were of the finest deserted farm
variety. For whoever settles on them i;
Immediately subjected to the starving of
: process, and then the farm, again de
serted, fastens its mournful eyes, so t.
, speak, upon Mr.. Valentine. or did befor,
, the last legislature cruelty abolished tn,
, deserted farm bureau. Now they ar,
= left to consider, and one of them told m,
! that if a change in the tariff would com,
, and the farmers cease to pay manufac
1 turers for doing business, in other words
cease to support the manufacturers a
well as themselves, he thought the risin!
tide of demand for land would agaii
2 cover the deserted farms. Probably Mr.
2 Valentine never thought of this. a MAJ
/ with hobby, or looking for an office
| isn't apt to think of things that vii
. prevent him getting that office. Blu
4 possibly the farmers will think of it NOR
and more.
The hotel at Peru is kept by Mr.
5 Davis, who is renowned both as an auc
1 tioneer and hotel keeper. He gave u
e the best meals of the trip, and an excel
e lent bed and bedroom. There was here
f too, an old gentleman who had lived il
= New York city, going there in 1880. II
: was born at Westminster, VT, and ha
= returned now apparently to end his day
Dr., in the old State. He kept his horses an
Y carriage, and was said to be we'll of
n He had an unusually shrewd and pleasan
5 eye, and also unfortunately was quit
: well supplied with rheumatism.
o Mr.. Davis was quite a horseman a
: well as auctioneer.
=, We had now come from Rutland som
- 60 miles, with 80 miles or more remain
- ing to return. The usual breakfast a
seven oyer, we started, our first stop o
= hill AT farm house that commanded
y very beautiful view Of the whole basin
', and in front rose the mountains, proud
" beautiful and grand. TO the south SUI
p, ton mountain on the same range showe
finely. Within was a well organize
y family consisting of grandmother
: daughter and children, all of them bull
" well physically, intelligent and polite.
= gave the children, who were about goin
, to school, silver dollar, They turned
over and over. their surprise seeming t
increase with every turn, but the CRANE
=, mother was bright enough to catch OF
|" She didn't like to talk horse before, bU
y now got as complete history of tn
- old mare, whose blood goes into the yer
> fastest of trottins records, as she wa
] l. L.