Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-08-20
HERE. THERE AND ELSEWHERE.
PART 2.

Though an unexplanable fascination
causes one to linger long at this spot,
the ever surging throng of sightseers
makes it incumbent upon each and every
one to eschew monopoly, so another point
of interest is sought.
Guided by the call "Here is the place
to get your tickets for trip on the Maid
of the Mist" we buy the necessary bit
of paper as we enter the doorway and
are shown long stairway which leads
down, down, down 25l steps. Here is
found trim little steamer. Crossing
the gangplank and entering the cabin we
are Immediately approached by courte-
Gus attendant with long, very heavy,
waterproof coat. After this is donned,
a heavy rubber cap with deep, circular
cape which reaches out over the should
ers and protects the chest, is placed over
the head so that only glimpse of the
eyes and upper part of the face can be
seen. You then attempt to walk grace
fully to the upper deck part of which is
covered with stationary awning and
furnished with chairs, stools and benches
but you only succeedin stumbling to your
destination as all the rest have done. All
the costumes being similar it is impossi~
to tell your uncle from your aunt, your
friend from your foe, among figures that
look like animated tree trunks.
If the full fun of the trip is desired it
is well to go out on the open part of the
deck having a care to first remove your
glasses, if you wear any, 50 that the
spray does not becloud them and shut out
the grandeur of the sight.
Slowly and with great precaution the
maid approaches the American Falls
near it's base and gets so close that the
spray showers over the boat like very
heavy rain and runs in streams along the
deck. A halt is made for the tourist to
get better conception, a more definite
idea, of the magnitude of this great Won
der as you gaze upwards for 1877 feet at
breadth of water 100 feet wide with a
precipitation of 1900, 600 gallons each
second Then we sail on to nearer
view of the Horseshoe Falls which is not
quite so high but the water is said to be
20 feet deep where it plunges over thc
precipice. AS the water in the river
seems more turbulent we do not get quite
SO near but still the terrific roar caused
by the vast downpour renders CONVERSE
ton impossible.
AS time moves on so must we. When
our steamer reached the Canadian shore
we disembarked, rode up the $50 foot in
clined railway and set feet on foreign soil
1t may have been only vivid imagina-
ton born of the knowledge that we We're
not in the United States which caused US
to think that there was nameless differ
ence which seemed apparent to the inner
though difficult to particu-
larize. For 10 cents you have the privi-
lege of walking across the Suspension
Bridge and once more finding yourself
under the protecting care Of "Teddy'.
Another feature which should not be
missed by any visitor to Niagara Falls is
a trip on the Niagara Belt Line as in ~
other way can the true beauties and gran
deur of the magnificent scenery of this
word-famous spot be most fully appre-
ciated in the avishness of its display.
Starting in the city of Niagara Fa in
a Belt Line Observation ear we cross the
Bridge a few hundred feet
north of the Falls and from which one of
the most perfect views Of this great Won
der is obtained. Reac hing Canada the
car turns to the left and runs along the
bank Of the river the distance of nearly
a mile on a level with the brink of both
Falls thus atfording a constant and fasci-
mating change of scene with each new
point of vantage until the car reaches Ia
bic Rock almost at the verge Of Horse
shoe Falls. This is the first OF number
of stopping points at which the tourist
can linger from one car to the next if he
oO dCoiiS llClC IiIc Idl NtSCIlpSS Il lDDI
and returns on the Canadian side to
Queenston distance Of nearly nine miles
with the river and gorge constantly in
view.
Between the suspension brid re and two
great railroad bridges, built by the Grand
Trunk Railway and the Michigan Central
'airoad, distance of two miles farther
north, the water seems very quiet but an
Of great swiftness is per-
.eptible giving some intmation of the
,reacherous depths beneath. Then once
again the waters begin leaping and hiss
ng in dire confusion until the Whirlpool |
Rapids "is reached at point where the
,orge is so narrow that the vast flow of |
water is brought suddenly into aconstric-
led space, which by the rapid current is
ausel to leap fully 30 feet above the
latural river level The noise of this
ossing, swirling, foaming struggle of
naddened waters, descending at grade
# 100 feet to the mile, and depth of |
100 feet is truly appalling as we'll as
Ieafening."
Continued next week.