St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-08-30
A MINISTERIAL TRAMP.

lNNlNdllClI anu 'N'N 49, y D''~~ '
1t remains true, nevertheless, that
MANY are still nsatished with the
results of their experimenting, and
are open to further hints which have
in view the more complete change
and the greater rebound of energy.
Ministers walk, the most OF them,
but few make business of it. Not
one in twenty has donned the tramp
ing garb, including small bag at
his back, and walked fifteen miles tor
three successive days to study from
experience the effects OF the noble
exercise. The man with weaksh
limb and too little capacity OF lung
has probably not after due prepare
ton, conquered modest mountain,
say of five thousand feet in height to
discover what control of muscle and
fullness of breathing are to be ac-
ouired. and what delights nature
has held in store for him. The writ
er then, as labor of love, may be
permitted to outline a brief tramp
taken not a month since, in the hope
of persuading some of his needy
brethren to 90 and do likewise.
Two men starting from st.
Hubert's Inn struck into the admira-
BILE carriage road which leads four
miles through an ideal forest to the
lower Ausable lake. One of the
trampers was manufacturer accus-
toned to ride behind his spirited
BAYS but whose physical condition
required a new regimen. AT Eliza
BEETHOVEN neither party had pro-
posed mountain climbing. However,
after plain walks over mountain
roads, aggregating forty miles,
mutual desire eliminated in the more
trying ordeal. A guide was secured,
modest man of the excellent Beede
stock, who was now in the advance
with provisions for two days. An
easy walk OF ninety minutes brought
the lake to view. A grateful breeze
of purest air was Aawing its emerald
surface, breaking up the reflections
of forest and rocky precipice, which
form the environs OF this wondrous
mirror. To row the length of the
lake, traverse the carry OF more than
a mile to the second lake, and then
row to camp was the work of an
other ninety minutes. BY two
o'clock, dinner over, our travellers
are at leisure for the day in seclud
ed spot, favorite with those who love
the silence OF lake and hill in the
higher altitude.
Before eight next morning, agair
in the boat we row up the creek
which feeds these waters, two miles
to the foot of the Marcy trail. Th'
morning is fairly promising. Tit
native wildness of the banks, tn,
fresh deer tracks at every opening o
the bushes, the prospect OF testing
our physical resources, were exhilerat
I ing.
The trail opened disagreeabl,
enough with DOGGY wetness, whlc
often needed the foundation of log
and poles which the guides have pre-
n vded, Slightly higher ground wa
n soon reached, and before an hou
e had passed the path wound alon
the rising valley between the foe
Il hills of Haystack and Skyligh
d Steep ascents were few, and man
l. were the reliels of level or slight
: descending tracts. Now a gorl
r. appears on the left, down which II
It main Ausable branch tumbles ar
d where, from a projecting ledge, Il
IS peak of Marcy is boldly visible. Fl
7 two hours of the journey the novi
10 is led to believe that climbing is n,
is after all a serious matter, but t
third brings an experience. Rud
zigzag Stairways OF roots and boul
IS ers with black muck filling the int
as spaces make new demands up,
st muscle and wind. A shortening
st. steps becomes imperative. Absolu
mt stops for breath are required. 7
best man now is he who can endu
tn We are on the side of Skylight.
,r- camp appears where many tire
Use eler halts to renew his journ
Mt next day. BY 11.30 o'clock, t
ed company cross the "divide" a
Ter plant foot upon Marcy with
. shout. A mile is yet to be travers'
half of it through thick, tang
~; spruce, the remaining halt over bi
-: rock, the shoulders and head of
~ monarch of the group. Just abe
Ala fnraet l;pa wa lopk dawn ,,no,