Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-06-19
ATrlp to RondylIIe.

from Arlington. The weather during
the two days, June 18th and 14th, was
fine. On that beautiful morning the
company started in good spirits, enjoy
ing the weather, the scenery and occa-
sional haltsfor aydrink of cold water by
the wayside, it being ''cold water eX-
pedition." After leaving Manchester
Depot the road was unfamiliar to most
of the company. We therefore discov-
cred many points of interest. The dis
tance had been matter of much discus
sion. 1t was ascertained to be eleven
and one-half miles from Manchester
Depot. We were told by way of encour-
agement that we'd find ''hills as steep as
the roof of a house." There were only
two or three of that description, and as
the ladies "liked walking for CHANGE
we got along finely, the drivers riding
up land DOWN, these deeliyitles, appar-
emily at ease.
Most of the way the roadbed was very
good indeed, for mountain road, and
the hills, with few exceptions, not
alarming. About two miles and half
from Manchester we passed under the
Toll Gate. This was quite novel.
There was roof oyer the gate, which
was drawn up high oyer our heads,
ready to come down at moments no
tice, probably, if anyone tried to eyade
the the toll-keeper. We could wish that
a gate of some sort might suddenly de-
scend before some of our young people
whom, we fear, are in danger of turning
aside from the good old highway into
bye and forbidden paths that lead to de-
struction, that they might stop and
think and decide not to pay the heavy
toll enacted by certain alluring but de-
ceitful gatekeeper. Dear young friends,
turn to the right, and all will be well.
But to return to our journey. After
some little time we came to the old tav-
ern stand once kept by the Lelands,
since of Saratoga fame. 1t is said that
the beginning of their hotel enterprises
was here in the wilds of the Green
Mountains. Twas ''woodsy and wild
and lonesome enough, as 1t is deserted
now, but we enjoyed sitting on the steps
of the old Green Mountain house and
sharing our lunch with each other, while
the cup bearer brought cold water.
After short rest we were ready to move
on, passing occasionally a coal kiln, an
old tumbled down log-house, or farm
house occupied by 1.-THE natives" We
saw lilac bush in bloom ON the way.
Ours here were gone sometime ago. We
saw several OK teams plodding along,
drawing logs and blowing, but on the re-
tuIn trip young lady whirled by ON her
wheel, alone on that long hilly route.
We were told in Bondville that our
young townsman, Charlie Walker, had
passed that way going over the noun
tain on his cycle.
When we reached the little village of
Bondville, we were cordially met by the
ladies of the Bondville Union and those
who assisted them. The parsonage was
thrown open to the ladies as place of
rest, and soon a bountiful repast was
ready in the room used for that purpose
at the church. We found the people of
Bondville very kind and hospitable and
shall long remember our stay and the
people we met from other towns. Two
ladies from Rupert drove their own team
over the mountain alone, in order to at
tend this meeting. We thought them
quite courageous. A company also
came from Manchester. Mrs. Davidson
and Mrs. Kenyon come on the narrow
gauge road. Winhall Station is the
nearest, five miles from Bondville. In
the course of social intercourse we met a
lady who had formerly lived in this vi
cinity, and was therefore interested in
hearing about the people here, but on
relating this and that incident she would
remark: "Yes, 1 saw that in the BAN
NER." We can imagine this sheet is
welcomed in the little town where the
stage goes only every other day; espec-
tally welcome It would be in the winter.
But now for brief report of the w. C.
I. U. convention.
The church had been tastefully deco
rated with flowers. A spirit of harmo-
ny and good fellowship seemed to pre-
vail among those present, and the meet
ings were helpful, sympathetic and en-
couraging. We regretted the absence of
some of the speakers on the programme,
but those present tried to make the
meetings pleasant. Mrs. Kenyon gave
chalk talk which proved very interest
ing to the children and to the older ones.
After speaking of and drawing various
traps for animals, Mrs. Kenyon endeav-
ored to warn the young people, by word
and illustration, of the evil in some of
the many traps Satan is ever setting for
the young-among them the tobacco
pipe, the cider barrel and bad books.
Mrs. Kenyon related little incident in
which was an encouraging thought.
Ou0 Sdlu IndJ Ill u certain nOSplIdl WdS
child whom the nurse overheard enter
tanning the other children by relating an
account of something, she could not un-
derstand what. After hearing the little
girl on two or three occasions, she in
quired about it and found that the little
one had listened to zone of Mrs. Ken
yons chalk talks way up in Vermont"
and was trying to tell the children about
it. Mrs. Kenyon said that on one occa-
sion, on going to certain place to give
talk, there was no sexton, no assistant
of any sort. 1t was the Fourth of July
and that accounted for it. She felt
somewhat disheartened, but gave the
talk to the children, and when she heard
about the little girl in the hospital, she
hoped it was at that time that she had
heard her, and treasured up what she
could in her memory. So let us never
be discouraged-we do not know what
good we may do.
In the course of remarks made by the
Rev. Mr. Tucker, pastor of the church
in Bondville, he said that he was for
Prohibition, and that if men would have
sense enough to vote as they ought, the
women would not want to vote.
In the Open Parliament held near the
close of the afternoon session, many
reasons were given for BELONGING TO the