The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-05-31

b7 the rush Of waves about their
roots. spruce, birch, laurel, moss,
tangled vines and plants 70
the waters very edge. A giant OF
picturesque foot-bridge, and q
smaller tree alongside shared the
same fate as hand-rail. On the op-
DOsite side from our road was the
most superb maple, its exquisite gray
bark adorned with patches OF lichen.
its gnarled roots defying the force
Of the water about them, and It's
splendid shade coming far across the
stream. The breeze was just enough
to stir its flaming crimson leaves like
a gorgeous banner waving against
q blue sky. Blooming near every
we saw quantities Of our love-
Iy frost flower, dark blue gentlan,
and the paler varieties were abun-
dant on each roadside bank. Witch
hazel. with its quaint, greenish yell
low flowers along its bare stems.
partridSe-yine. showing its bright
red berries. and richly colored bram-
bles were sprawling in %riotous pro-
fusion.
Shortly after leaving this enchant-
I'd spot we entered the wonderful pre-
serve Of Mr.. Vanderbilt. After driv-
ing some miles through an almost
virgin forest Of valuable timber, we
stopped near a hurrying mountain
stream for dinner. Oh. but every
thing was delicious. Surely chicken,
ham,, biscuits preserves. pickles, eggs.
cake and candy never disappeared SO
rapidly. Then that water. no fear of
germs or microbes III its sparkling
GOODNESS. We rested for an hour or
more. giving our good horses time
to slowly enjoy their corn and hay,
while we made the VOC ring with
our appreciation of everything. h
Botanist promptly began securing
specimens, Mary and Martha sat con
tentedly upon some rocks, the Relia-
bic man made a thorough examina-
ton of the harness. Lila, with her
usual thrift. carefully put away the
remains Of the lunch, and well,
/ talked. Again we started. going
ever up, and deeper and deeper into
the forest. Innumerable curves, and
winding ascents brought us from the
crest Of one peak to another. Often
we stopped to look at some grand ex-
panse of valley, some superb view
OF towering heights. some racing,
foaming stream in its mad rush and
wild leaps toward the sea. Occos-
ionally We paused in a grove of
heaven-pointing spruce to admire
their symmetry and numbers, or to
behold with surprise some huge moss
grown boulder surrounded by acres
OF luxuriant galax. The song Of a
bird. the rustling Of a rabbit. the
drum Of the pheasant. the call Of the
partridge could be heard so far il
that intense stiffness Of the woods.
Toward evening we knew that we
were approaching our goal by the
many g~uide-boards directing one tc
ThompsOn's trail. Weston's trail, Vel
low trail. ana 50 on. Coming to ar
open space We decided to camp, and
soon all were busy in preparations
for the night. The Reliable mar and
Alonzo made a roaring fire. and die
not the hot coffee. broiled bacon anc
roasted potatoes send forth an ap.
petizing odor? About 10 O'Clock
Mary and I went to our apartment
IL the wagon, Lila rolled in a blanke
under a big tree. Martha, the Bot
tanist and the Reliable man remained
near the camp fire, which our faith
ful AloIzo kept burning brlillantl.
ali night. Really he was a grea
comfort. Through the hours OF dark
ness l constantly heard his steps d
he brought wood for those cneeI.
flames. 1t seemed to me as | lay II
the wagon. that a special exn'D1lio'
was being given in the skies Tor GU
benefit. The stars actually chase'
Zach other across the field OF limit
less blue, sometimes dropping iron
the race to fall into a place peyoT'
mortal vision. From the SKIES
would come back to this mundah
snbare n hear the occasional staml
Of our horse. or Alonzo's stead
tramp as he brought a supply Q
: wood. The ~plaintive cry or an Q"
was frequently near US, and the mars
cry of a wildcat scared Mary near
-. About 4 o'clock