The Somerset reporter., 1898-06-23
Here and There. No. Ia.

bright program, for that included the
sun as chief actor and he positively de.
clines to take the part assigned, to light
up certain rock masses of Mt. Biglow.
HAPPY we have been over daring and
presuming in our admiration, forgetting
that 1t is quite the rule with mountain
majesties to reign in silent, solemn state,
regardless of mortals, even adoring NOR
tails, who dwell so far below. Perhaps
we have been too importunate also in our
request for continuous sunshine and if
SO, we will remember with gratitude
yesterday, when the approach to this
mountain was attended with such clear,
glorious sunlight. Even more impress
i've is the picture as the misty cloud
veil, now hides, now reveals the grand
face of the mountain. There is nothing
of gloom here in this grassy plain where
we'll titled fields are varied by the gar
den trees and sweet flowers. Best of
all is the sight of gay happy children
and one, sweetly sings as she wanders
over the hotel lawn seeming in perfect
accord with young Summer.
The prospect for fair weather is not
good, neither is it sure to rain, SO we
are told. Starting early we drive
briskly away for our second days pleas
uring. On we go through the plant.
alton and coming very soon to the river
which gives it its name. Not in glori-
Gus sunny morning does it first salute
US, but it is itself full of life and very
glad we are to meet it. Deep River it
should have been named and very likely
if we could follow out the good rivers
early history we should find that it was
just this quality, depth that caused its
usual silence and apparent inactivity.
The river was so utterly misunder-
stood that its very best characteristic
! has cost it dear. We are more and
more confirmed in this view for, though
it glistens and sparkles here and there,
though its strength and power are evil
dent as we approach the rapids, yet for
the most part it is deep, silent river.
In the world of rivers it surely has
place and does its work we'll, untroubled
though it has not long line of descent
and has small chance of distinguishing
itself in its brief future att east, under its
own name.
Farms are seen with busy workers,
merry voices are leaving for the day.
Books and dinner baskets assure us that
they are bound for the pretty white
school house we have already passed
With many turn our road leads on,
green meadows connecting the mount
ain and river and fine noble trees en-
bellish the scene Gratefully we well
come the mountain laurel which lights
up the dark morning wondrously.
Growing in great profusion with its rose
colored blossoms it suggests the August
wild rose, which also is found in divers
strange and unthoughtof rough places
Very beautiful is the laurel here with
the evergreen trees for back ground
one can hardly escape thinking of the
carefully tended and valued aZalia, in
my lady's" home, and always these ma
ture nurtured laurals have the adyan.
tage over their city relations.
Flagstaff with it's two hotels is all
ready to entertain summer tourists and
their pleasant lake, filled with trout
where pleasure boats await the visitors,
is surely very attractive. Mountain
climbing, it seems, is an added induce
ment and only yesterday several deer
were seen quietly feeding near by the
lake. We had pointed out to us the
exact spot where Benedict Arnold erect
ed the national standard, where he
with his forces encamped for weeks.
How many suggestions of war we
have when war is upon us, rather how
quickly we respond to the slightest
thought in that direction and all along
the way we had thought of that wonder
full expedition of Arnold 's-1Ow so far
away. Flagstaff is the farthest point
we intend to take on this trip and we
leave, bound for home by another route,
all new country, after. telephoning at
the Lake House to the home town
which is forty-nine miles away.
Driving on we leave our own county
and by curiously winding road which
is most pleasant we enter Franklin
county and soon see in the distance the
picturesque village of Stratton. Strait
on stream is a fine dashing stream and
we drive first of all on through the
village crossing the fine bridge and find
the second nearer view equally attract
i've. Given fair smiling fields with
mountain towering above to meet the
sky, church and academy, lovely homes
with their gardens, busy streets with
their stores and manufactures one may
be sure of a delectable New England
picture We can also speak warmly of
the Stratton hospitality. Mr.. and Mrs.
Durrell, formerly of Skowhegan, now
at the Blanchard House, fully under
stand how to make the traveller comfort
able and the airy flower decorated din
ing room is as pleasant as the parlor.
After a good dinner well served, we
drive on through gathering clouds
which all the morning have threat
ened rain. From the upper piazza
of the Blanchard House we had seen
the quickly changing cloud wreaths
moving lower and still lower on Mount
Bigelow. The words came forcibly to
mind "Thou art clothed with honor and
majesty-who stretchest out the heav-
ems like curtain-who makest the
clouds his chariot"
There is no real discomfort in gentle
summer rain to the well prepared trav-
eler but rather much of inspiration and
enjoyment in wild nature, for now and
then the clouds will lift and the sun
seems to struggle for the victory. In
this contest natures power and grandeur
is wondrously apparent in the hurry
ing shadows, now sweeping ON with
ever increasing swiftness, now like
vast army at rest and as suddenly dis
appearing. The trees stand out with
wonderful strength and clearness as the
storm comes on and most of the flowers
gaze at us with eyes wide open and
never seem to mind the weather Ma
ture should tell us her secret as to keep
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