The Portland daily press., 1894-04-24
A STRAW RIDE.

CufSlOn onJOyeu 50 1nuCl nOWaQdyS netu etu
ancient and necessary origin. 1t is prob
able, however, that as much fun and laugh
ter accompanied the straw ride then as
now, for young people are alike in all ages
and the world over.
When our English forefathers settled
first in the New England states, especially
Vermont and New Hampshire, they estab-
lished their homes upon the highlands, be-
cause, strange as it now seems, the larger
lakes, ponds and rivers, where the beauti-
full meadows now are, were comprised
about with miles and miles of thickly
wooded swamps, which were almost i'm
passable even in summer.
Last summer I climbed the mountain
which is the scene of this story, and I
counted there 40 old cellar holes, over
grown with grass and brush, but indispu-
table evidence of former homes.
1 asked stupidly-feeling certain the an
swer would be, KILLED by Indians or de-
voured by wild beasts Where did all
the people go to who once lived here?"
The practical one of our party answered,
'.Oh, they moved down gradually, for as
the woods were cut off the swamps dried
up"
A hundred years ago the settlers on the
mountain made nothing of the deep SHOWS
which in winter covered all that country,
but turned out with shovels and OK sleds,
the only vehicles known in the noun
tains in those ti1nez, and manfully broke
roads, in order that their social intercourse
with their 'Notchite'' friends might not
be interrupted.
Especially was this the case in certain
winter, when Mr.. Stevens, the most fore
handed of them all, ha6 built frame
mansion and was going to give house
warming ball. A string of OK teams was
sent over the rough, drifted road, and all
was ready for the jewellers.
There were enough young people to fill
two sleds, and Thad Waldo and Freeman
Eddy, each of whom owned two yoke of
oxen, were chosen as teamsters. Their
sleds were filled with straw and blankets,
ready for their respective loads, and they
started merrily off at 4 O'Clock, reaching
their destination before dark. They staid
there until in the morning, gayly dane
ing and feasting, with never a thought
of danger.
When the teamsters went out to tackle
up' for the return home, they found the
sky heavy with dark clouds and much
warmer than when they came over.
"Guess we're going to have our Janu-
airy thaw," remarked young Waldo.
And I'm afraid we'll get slump over
the south SIDE 1t won't be very easy rid
ing over those stumps and stones, return
ed Eddy.
For mile or so the high spirits of the
party made the woods and mountains ring
with song and laughter, but by the time
they reached the heights the fatigue of
the dance began to tell upon them, and the
younger of them commenced making pill
lows of the laps of their elders, who also
soon became silent
Waldo and Eddy, as they reached the
notch, jumped from their sleds to better
guide their teams down the mountain and
the latter shouted as he reached the road,
"Old Buck and Bright will be more lively
company than that sleepy crowd"
The drowsy ripple of laughter which
followed this sally was suddenly drowned
by horrible scream which seemed to fair
ly fill the pass, echoing and re-echoing
among the mountains as if being answer
ed by hundred others.
The two teamsters sprang quickly to the
heads Of their teams, now trembling and
cuddling up to each other in fright. The
men knew that they had but moment to
prevent a wild stampede down the noun
tain, for as soon as the poor oxen should
recover from their first alarm they would
seek safety in fight, when it seemed i'm
possible that the whole party could escape
being dashed to pieces.
Every person in the company, from the
Oldest to the youngest, fully appreciated
their double danger. They knew that that
defiant scream came from hungry pan
ther-and that it meant death.
Instantly every young man on the sleds
had his gun to his shoulder-they never
went without them in ''those good old
days"-peering sharply among the hem
locks which lined the road for the two
fiery eyes, the only part of the ugly beast
which they expected to see in the cloudy
darkness. Failing a shot, they knew that
he would jump for them when they passed
under the tree where he had lodged, when
he gave his warning scream. Should he
miss it would in no wise end the chase, for
they knew that by his huge, vaulting
springs he could soon forge ahead to van
tage ground in another tree.
The road through which these hapless
young people took their fearful ride is
nearly obliterated now by sturdy growth
of young trees, except the Three Lodges
around which the road ran. No trees can
ever cover those cruel rocks Here was the
fearful climax which must end such a
race, even should they keep together until
they reached the lodges.
In 30 seconds, quick witted Waldo had
unhitched his leading oxen and turned
them into the deep snow, hoping that they
might possibly attract the panther. Thus
he obtained also a better chance to control
the others. By this time second scream,
more defiant than the other, rang through
the woods.
This second scream came from behind
them over through the notch and was i'm
mediately answered by the first, making
the poor, trembling oxen fairly bound with
fright, and this time sending them off on
a mad gallop. The teamsters instinctively
Taught hold of yoke and horn. Young
Waldo shouted back to those in the sleds,
Hold on for your lives!''
1t was an almost useless warning. The
young men who had risen were thrown
among those who had not, their extended
guns dealing cruel blows as they fell. But
not word of fear or complaint was uttered
by the hardy young settlers, and no sound
was heard for a few minutes except Wal
dos and Eddy's shouts in their endeavors
~