The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-07-22
MAUD'S ADMIRERS.

lakes in the midst of the Adirondack
wilderness Maud's beautiful eyes
we're first turned upon me.
1t was two years ago since Tom
Watkins aud I, proud of our four
years ex perience and our brand-new
sheepskins, had left Amherst with
mingled feelings of Joy and regret.
Tom went Immediately into the Office
of famous New England morning
paper, and made his way steadily up
on its editorial corps.
had gone into partnership with
my father, and worked like q slave,
lest he should be ashamed of me for
l had an immense respect for him, and
l knew he despised laziness.
Having worked two years without
interruption, Tom and both felt that
we had earned vacation, and, by
little planning, we managed to get off
together in September of the compare
lively uneventful year eighteen hum
dred and eighty.
We both voted for the mountain in
stead of the sea, and for New York in
stead of New Hampshire; 80 We
started ont determined to see all that
we could of the North woods.
After day on Lake George we took
the eastern route to the woods, spend"
ing night at Elizabethtown. Thence
we tramped to Keene, the clear
mountain streams, deep, cool woods, and
grand towering peaks, more than maxi
ing up for the hard roads and thick
dust, so that, though tired, we were
more than satisfied with our first days
experiences.
As we resolved "to do" the noun
tains, we climbed the -cleaver,
Tahawas; we spent shivering night
on Whiteface; whence we watched
Lake Placid brighten under the morn
ing sun; we picked four-leaved clo-
yer from John Browns grave at North
Elba; we started deer in the Indian
pass, and saw our guide kill it; and,
to crown all, we came out of the
woods by way of the lakes.
Our guide was a wiry little fellow
too slight to carry boat, we thought
until We watched him in a wrestling
match, when he showed himself tough
as whip-cord, and we had no fears.
Starting from the lower Saranac on
a dull afternoon, n gorgeous sunset lit
up the clouds and lakes as we rowed
swiftly along; then, as the rich purple
and crimson faded, the crescent moon
broke through the clouds, and we had
our first experience of "carries" in
this uncertain twilight 1t was only
q short walk, however, and then we
glided across the black waters of
Round Lake in an utter silence, save
for the splash OF the oars and the
scream of the loon or nighthawk.
Next day We wound along the Ra.
| quette river, whose waters were low,
and whose shores, even thus early,
glowed with autumn color.
Our nights were spent at hotels,
which we reached late and left early I;
our days, in rowing and carrying. "
Almost lost under the inverted boat,
our guide led us through the rich
vegetation of the carries, without
wandering even when the fire, still
raging, had obliterated every trace OF
a trail to our unaccustomed eyes.
Occasionally We heard the incon-
gruous sound of human voices other
than our own and came upon SINH
lar boating party. Now and then we
heard the baying of dogs, and knew
that some poor deer was in distress,
or We saw an uncommon bird, and
listened to its wild note, but for the
most part, there were few signs Of life
OF any kind. and the silence was com.
plete; the sense of loneliness, intense.
What wonder, then, that Maud
seemed almost fairy-like to eyes long
unaccustomed to such beauty.
As we came out upon Raquette lake
we feltIas if we were approaching civil
ization; clearings, with back shanties
or more pretentious cottages occupied
many Of the points; and harkl what
sound is that? No heron's screams,
or wild ducks screech. but veritable