The Republican journal., 1896-07-23
Around the RangeIeys.
In Camps and Forests, the Resorts of Sports.
men. An Unique Railway station and a ride
over the new Railroad.

The intense heat of the day had dampened
our enthusiasm in regard to our projected
trip to Rangeley, and at four O'Clock p. III.
we We're still undecided whether to con
tinue our journey or to remain at Farming
ton over night. Old Calamity, however, de-
cided to pitch a copper, with heads for
Rangeley. Rangeley won, and in fifteen
minutes we We're steaming out of the red
hot station at Pennington on our way to the
mountains. Previous to our leaving home
friend had said to us: EFF you can induce
the baggage master to allow you to ride in
the baggage car and sit at the big open
doors, you will not only escape the discom-
fort of long ride in a miniature furnace,
but you will also see some of the most de-
lightful scenery in Maine" Acting upon
his suggestion we interviewed the obliging
railroad official and as result we checked
ourselves as baggage for Rangeley and We're
comfortably seated by the open doors. We
soon entered upon an ever-changing piano.
rama of mountain scenery Mountains in
the distance came nearer, passed us by and
dwjndled into large hills. These were in
turn succeeded by others, that came only to
disclose new beauties in the distance. We
climbed very steadily up this long incline
until we reached Spruce Hill, where we We're
told that we had attained an elevation of
l, l5O feet in fourteen miles of road From
this point on our left, spreads broad field
of deep and delicate tints of green at whose
termination rises a lofty mountain we'll
wooded to its very summit. For a moment
we could not realize that the sea of emerald
tints at our feet was indeed great area of
tree tops, and that we We're poised far above
their level and were looking down into "the
homes where the breezes ever play" A
broad track, like the path of cyclone,
crosses this deep indenture, and ever and
anon we caught gimpses of the Sandy river
far below US as it slips and slides around
the huge powders or prattles and purls
over the lesser rocks that lie 80 closely in
the bed of this bright, active little river. In
many places the railroad cuts are very deep.
The soil is yellow and SOFT and the trees
and powders are easily dislodged. There
is sharp watch kept that there may be
none lying in the way of the on-coming
train. saw many large trees that in lean
ing over to look down on the upward bound
train had lost their balance and tumbled
over, plunging their heads into the soil,
leaving their great roots standing almost
skyward. A noble pine had, through its
curiosity thus sacrificed itself and lay with
its graceful green tassels almost brushing
the rails. The road has many twists and
turns, frst to the right, then to the left, 80
that the tourist gets the benefit of the sur
rounding scenery with very little trouble to
himself. We made the break through the
mountains at the most opportune moment,
for just as we drove across from the station
to the hotel at Rangeley, the sun was going
down beyond the lake. The lights and
shades were perfectly lovely, while the
waters We're roseate in hue and as still and
glistening as FURNISHED glass. Rangeley lies
at an elevation of two thousand feet above
the level of the sea. The village of Range
ley lies close to the lake on its eastern
shore. The Rangeley Lake House is on the
east bank Of Rangeley Lake, short distance
from the village. Previous to this year it
had occupied site in the village, but last
winter it was moved to its present place,
much enlarged and improved, and well
supplied with all modern conveniences. 1t
contains about 1875 rooms and is fairly well
filled with guests. The dining room over
looks the lake and is very pleasant apart
ment in every sense. The food is well pre-
pared, the mattresses are polite and atten-
tive, and the guests at the Rangeley Lake
House evidently are not connected with the
Little Big families that one sometimes meets
at summer hotels. The hotel is surrounded
by broad covered veranda we'll furnished
with easy chairs, while in shady hooks and
corners swings the ubiquitous hammock.
There are several small steamers on this
lake, while the names of the row-boats are
legion. On leaving Pennington for Range
y I