Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-10

Inc MOSES and l1chenS are worthy
of weeks of study because of their
wonderful variety and richness. Some
are like bits of old brocade or Genoa
velvet shot with bright threads soften
ed and mellowed by age, They cover
the rocks with an exquisite tapestry
human skill cannot initiate. But the Ii
chcns of black, brown leaf form, COW
ering the great cliffs, clnging stub
bornly to their angles and rude. brok
en- surfaces, seem like creations of a
primitive world They appear to be
in the process of fossilizing, and yet
they have IN them a curious life. They
cover the great stone masses like q
tapestry. and impart dark purple
and brown shade to the whltish sur
face. The beautiful little lake, we are
told, was dug in the mountains to a
great depth, perhaps in the ice age,
and there is no one to inform us when
this vegetable mantle Of the rocks
came into being.
We come into the mountains. aside
from the blessings of GOODNESS and
rest, principally to enjoy views and to
take them in from various points.
There are studies in the infinite and
in the infinitesimal. And the study of
the cunning ways of nature in small
things is well used in filling up the in
terStices between obvious pleasures.
When did the fern family come into
being? So long ago we cannot esti-
mate its age. 1t has a joyous life up
here in the mountains, and we think
back to the time when its progenitors
w orr JaT ct ct in
the tropics in tall forests of exquisite
fronds and wide, expanded feathery
branches. But here in many varieties
they are the nesting clinging plants
that live in colonies among the stumps
and great powders that carry a mar
velous history on their scored sides.
The pines and hemlocks are more in
teresting and individual than below.
On the cliffs the wind has contorted
them. bent their trunks, twisted their
limbs into strange shapes; but still
with all the disadvantages of their ex-
istence they have a vigorous life. You
honor in them the persistence of ma
ture, the toughness of her fiber and
the courage with which she plants her
green flag in the most uncongenial
places. a-
The mountains are an object lesson
i'll the earth's zones and climates A
few thousand feet in the air furnish Il
notice where the fruit trees curtsey to
you and say good-b by, where the ma
pie and elm take their leave with
waving boughs, where the sturdy oak
comes to a standstill and can climb no
further with its strong feet. What a
mystery, what a wonder these simple
facts enfold, and the why is still un-
answered in spite of all theories.
You come at last to lake hidden in
the evergreen forest, thing of sur
prises and wonder. the hills kept hid
den in their bosom like glittering
gem for long ages. 1t is fenced by
fine cliffs, interspersed on slopes and
terraces with thick forest growth. AS
is supposed, this lovely little body of
water was ground out, chiseled and
engraved in the great fee age. 1t is
small but exquisite, and of faseinat-
ing variety of color, and mood that
makes ii well worth study, for in
way ii differs from other small bodies
Of water by its great depth and its
infinite variety of changes. 1t is like
a Fascinating, capricious beauty, who
continually watches the changes of
her face in her firing glass. Every
hour, every moment, it is transformed.
and the tricks of it's reflections are
wonderful; YOU never see them twice
alike. All such bodies of water are
sympathetic with sky. clouds, light
and shadow; but this one has life
not only in the caprices of it's refiec-
tons but above all in the richness
and splendor of it's color. Sunk deep
between its forest and rock lodges, it
takes on the deepest, darkest blue, Of
ten of velvety blackness, shot with
gleames OF green. purple and of colors
not To be described, At times the oar
gliding through it seems to spray off
millions of saprhircs in the sun.
on contemplative, mild evening a
rosy tint flushes the rocks and tinges
with ineffable softness the serried
ranks of pines. some delicate fingered
nereid seems to have spun wells of soft
color over it. Then the mystic shadows
and reflections grow more wonderful
aud plunge to interminable depths
The solid rocks change, dissolve, and
are reformed in most precious sub
stance The vivid green's melt to pale
violet and rose. The bouts move over
tie little lake in dream The low
lying valley in the distance inTelts and
fades INTO a fairy country, The
farms, homesteads. and bits of wood
change To the delicate brush work of
divine artist.
The story of old earth in its phan oeG
and transformations is wonderful. 1t
lies under our feet in the air around
us; but the secret of beauty spread 50
laNisEly everywhere is more wonder
full still.--Christian Register.