The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-07-19
Fairlee Pond.
PILGRIMAGE TO ONE OF vERMoNT's DELIGHT
Full SUMNER RESORTS.

PILGRIMAGE TO ONE OF vERMoNT's DELIGHT.
Full SUMNER RESORTS.
Moved and instigated by d. d, Davis, of
the American Express Co., and George X.
Putnam, late of the Montpelier & Wells
River railway, party of Montpelier people
were persuaded to seek pleasure and recre-
alton in a locality which was TO them an
unknown region, Of which, though Yer
monters to the manner born, they had
never before heard, and which, though en-
tertainng the highest regard for the truth,
veracity and mental soundness of the pro
noters OF the excursion, more than half be-
lieved to be a good deal of myth. The
locality in question was in the beautiful
Connecticut valley, hardly stones throw
from the track OF the Passumpsic railway
at Fairlee. Many were called but few re-
NAMED steadfast in their purpose, and on
Saturday morning last these pilgrims re-
sponded to the roll call ID. ID. Davis and
wife, George X. Putnam, Arthur Ropes and
wife, Misses Kate and Helen Kempton,
Misses Charlotte and Laura Ropes.
The heat and sweat and dust of the itin-
eracy ended, the pilgrims, an hour before
midday, were reposing i'll the heart OF re-
gion of Arcadian beauty. AT their feet
spread the placid waters of Fairlee pond, or
Morey lake, a name with which some mis-
guided moderns are seeking to supplant the
familiar and time-honored appellation. The
pond or lake, is a jewel of diamond ray
with a setting of emerald hills No marshy
SHORES uenle llS outnhe' FROM the water
nrnl rim OF rocks anu peppIes rise uenseiy
wooded slopes on the east and the west.
At the south end the receding hills reveal
the softened outlines of distant New Hamp-
shire mountains, and away to the south
rises the misty lorlh ol plue Ascutney' 10
tne northeast, sag IN the mountain en-
NirVhilent ulscloses near az, .nauu Moosl'
iauke roCky oatIlelhehls anu Ihe IhterVen-
ing summits ana ranges across the Oonhecu-
cut. East ana west, north ana south, from
every polht OF view, the scene Is one Oh
great beauty, anu thlS characteristic olten
expands lnUo Une picturesque buJ thiS Is
not all. In the whole woe range oil shore
ana enVlronlng mountain slope there exists
not one sontary Olotch, not one single lea
ture to grleVe the eye or ofend any sense
Modern THRIFT has not ravlShed the hlllsides,
ana the ZIMMERMAN mas Ielt no unslghtly
stump-lnleSted areas or ghastly tracts OF
tre-swept land; Where the tufted wood
land Neruure does NOT ehWrap Uhe scene,
cultivated helds OF living green rise from
the waters edge, diversified by the pres
ence OF wlde-spreaulng trees ana crowned
WIN stately ioresV CROWN. lhere, lhueeu,
hard by one OF the man railway thorough,
fares OF the state, but ehectualiy secluded
by lts easterly mountain barrier, Is Arcaula,
region OF lake ana mountain ana varied
aspect where rural peace ana happiness
abide and where untroubled quiet relgns.
Not a mill exists, trade has no outpost
there, the electric wire mas not invaded tnose
siumberous precincts, not suggestion OF
the IRON sway OF the tyrahI business any
where appears TO haunt the dreams or as
turn the repose OF the rest-seeker. 10 TINS
enchanted spot the pilgrims were led, ana
they yielded submisslVely, ana even raptur-
ously, to the seductive charms OF tins noun
tain nook, confessing that their guides had
wisely chastened expectation ana lett a
wlde margin lOr nappy ulsappoihtment'
Man cannot I'VE by Dreau alone, anu es-
tneuc cnarns, however enthralllng, VIII
not alone sustain the cravings OF nature
There are TWO rustic hotelrleS on tne west
shore OF the lake-one the Pond view Ia
vlllon, near the southern end, close upon
the shore, In grove OF pines where D. L.
Haley u Brother minister TO the creature
comfort of visitors; the other, the Glen
Fails house, on breezy point midway be-
tween the extremes, has Tor It's presiding di-
vinlty Mrs Nj. 5. Davis, who holds the fort
here IN summer Tune whlle MI DAVIS
maintains his tavern in the dusty purlieus
OF traffic at Hartford. In the hostess the
eternal fitness OF things is observed. She
suits the surroundings ana she SUITS her
guests. Bright and affable, plentiful pro-
WIDER as well as an agreeable hostess, a
competent executive as well as pleasant
lady, she makes her rustic inn palace OF
serene enjoyment. spacious pavilion
toward the water. In this, famed by the
perennial breeze, visitors lounge or Toll in
hammocks, and sleep dull care away or
gaze on the enhancing scenery. Above
the pavilion are dormitories whose win
dows command the varied views OF the
lake and hills. Boats for tishing rowing
or sailing are provided, or, If one is too in
dolent or unskilled in the handling OF water
craft, steamer is at his service. Novelty
seems TO characterize everything about
Fairlee pond. The pleasure fleet is sup
plemented by capacious barge with roof
for protection from sun or rain, and piano
whose marvellous notes charm the fauns
and bring them to the shore i'll tiocks, and
summon the mermaids in shoals from their
crystal pools Moored to the side of the
spunky little steamer, this floating pavilion
carries large parties around the lake, or,
anchored above the fishing grounds, affords
comfortable refuge for the patient angler
and patience is virtue the anglers among
the pilgrims assidously cultivated. as the
fish seemed to be on a strike or had fol
lowed McGinty to cooler retreats. Captain
Ed. Lucas is prudent skipper, and as
obiging as the days and nights are long.
BY way of side-shows, there is Bracy, the
artist, and an all-round genius, with his col
lection of pictures and curiosities pertain
ing to the locality, his store of local history
and incident and his delightful phono'