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

distance. we halted at Thompson's
trail. Here we left the vehicles and
all Of our belongings, knowing hat
they would be safe in that lonely
solitude. No, that is a mistake:
ITO sit on rocks to muse Ger flood
and fell
To slowly trace the forests shady
scene,
Where things that own not mans do
minion dwell,
And mortal foot hath n'er, or rarely
been;
To climb the trackless mountain all
With the wild flock that never
needs a fold.
Alone DER sleeps and foaring falls
to lean,
This is not solitude; It's but to hold
Converse with Natures charms, and
view her stores unrolled."
Eight miles lay before us to climb,
and such a climb, now ~clambering
over rocks, then along the edge OF
q %ravine, here pulling up an almost
perpendicular bank, slipping. pant
ing, struggling, we made it. Part Of
the way we rode our sure-footed
horses. no saddles, only a cloth strap
! ped about them. We were sights
for gods and men. 7 should have
preferred the former. but as it was
I was thankful that nobody had a
kodak. / wore stout shoes, q kakai
sirt, a red sweater, and a small
brown hat. Dixie, my horse was an
immense creature. Did you ever go
to q trained animal show, and see a
little. gaiiy dressed monkey riding a
horse? Well, I felt like that, and
I know I looked the part. Mary, on
Dick looked lie a perry, little hum
ming bird, and Martha, with a wide
hat tilted back, had a wild west air.
Lila refused TO ride at all, and climb
ed as fast as deer. Every now and
then the Botanist stopped for the
ostensible purpose of getting a spe-
cirnen. but honestly believe it was
to get his breath. Once the Relia-
bic man fell by the wayside for a
brief rest, and once he slipped on
some loose rocks [ hin he said
d, but am not sure, maybe he said
they were that kind Of rocks. AS
We neared the top Of Little Bald, a
splendid eagle scared quite near us,
and then steadily and majestically up
ward until he disappeared into the
very heart of the sun. 1t was a fine
sight, truly he is a kingly bird. AS
we climbed. the aspect of the woods
gradually changed. The trees grew
small and in their stunted trunks and
AuCCA AaA ups. L SCdICcIy tcOSu1Zeu
them as belonging to the same fam
lily as the sturdy oaks below. After
about five miles we reached a spring,
a moss hung, tiny basin, sending a
silver thread to disappear under some
balsams and tangled vines. Here we
were all willing to rest. and be re-
freshed for the last few miles. For
some distance there were very few
trees, perhaps a forest fire had de-
stroyed them. but l do not know. A
thick sedge, almost ankle-deep, COW
cred the ground. Once more we
started up, and presently made a
Slight detour from the trail to see a
wonderful view from the top Of Little
Bald. How ~unending seemed the
mountains. how deep and long the
valleys. Then the gorgeous hues of
autumn, SO beautifully blended and
interviewer, like some rarely designed
Persian rug. A short distance be-
yond and Plsgah rose before us. T
cannot describe it's solitary dignity ;+s
towering immensely and IFS inonosi,1
majesty. Never was l SO IMPRESSED
with my own lnsigniicance. and RI
myself l said, What is man tb.t
thou art mindful of him?' Again Wa
continued our tramp, and now through
the most exquisite galax I ever So
acres and acres Of it COVERING GO,
inch OF ground, wonderful alike for
it's beauty OF %co1Oring and tic ~,
sual size. It fairly revelled in 49,
bleak. storm swept exposure. A few
minutes more and we were AZ -.
lodge A log house, it is TRIO ny
such a log house. There must ~
, twelve or fifteen rooms. and 49, pe
? from the exterior of one of tha 49,
chimneys. it would take two men to
| carry loss 70 ut its fireplace. Ample
7 by a pretty. rustic covered va aS.
[ next TO these are substantial stahIa.
for horses. no vehicles can pot tLoN~
3 An abundant supply of water :.
: o'ougni ~ lee-i'ke GOODNESS from the
from the lodge piazza thev oeop
: almost endiessly, and if picked ia al!
: all. certainly in pieces ~ op at