The Southern herald., 1913-07-18
TpIcAL HoUN1AINEHR's HoNE

- NE Of the most interesting re-
gions In the United States Is
the southern Appalachians. 1t
w is a land of giants and patri-
archal families and of isolated
simplicities in life which have deep
human interest. One can explore on
horseback this fascinating region,
travelling through the western part Of
Virginia and North Carolina and the
eastern districts Of Tennessee and
Kentucky. You can stop OF any
where you happen to get tired and
board, indefinitely and sumptuously.
for $40 week. These mountain
folk are rich In the material things II
poor in the gimcrack Injuries the out
er world esteems needful. They are
still shut in their fastnesses; but con-
ditions are changing now from the alb
solute isolation that existed before the
civil war.
In following one of the mountain
trails the traveller is well paid.
Throughout these ranges are bride
paths, where notches are cut in the
rock on the steep mountainside for
the horse or mule to secure good foot
ing. A traveller can find nowhere such
a variety of scenery. He starts at
the foothills, along the banks Of some
stream. The cliffs are completely
covered with moss and ferns, watered
by innumerable springs, which in sum-
mer form a hanging garden of fol-
iage.
Following one Of these cataracts be-
tween mountains, one discovers all Of
a sudden that the trail he is in comes
to an end. Looking to the left he dis
covers a path leading off up the noun
tain. BY a modified climb, placing
one foot above the other, one can
reach a high cliff and stop for a rest.
Only a few feet below is the trail, q
switchback, and to gain one-fourth Of
q mile you climb whole one,
In the Evergreens.
Rarely could one find 80 fascinating
a picture of mountain grandeur, all in
contrast with the enticing charms Of
the valley below, where hundreds Of
cattle are peacefully grazing on vast
fields of blue grass. You are on the
edge Of the evergreen timber, called
the hemlock belt.
Once in the evergreen timber, the
view is entirely shut of, except now
and then where the trail leads over
some cliff; then the glimpse is Just for
an instant. There are forests of laurel
so thick in places that one cannot see
two feet away. The laurel trees are
from IS to rs feet high, some measur.
ing eight inches in diameter
You rest again and hear sounds that
tell of some habitation. Listen! Yes,
you can hear dogs bark. You resume
the Journey, and through open places
in the timber you can now see fields
Soon you come to log fence, and
afterward the trail leads of into a
cove.
A cabin appears, built of logs, fire
place on the outside and split oak
roof. A short distance away is the
spring Just back Of the cabin lies
the peach orchard, and alongside the
path leading to the barn are the
grape vines and ounces and Other
fruits. such as apples, pears and paw
paw.
This is the land of milk and honey
You can count over so hives Of bees
or "gums"-a hollow tree sawed It
two, then set on end on hewn timber
and covered with a slab split from {
log. Away In the distant WOODLAND
one hears the "tIng, ting" Of the COW
bell.
man about six fet four inches II
hight emerges from the door.
How d'you do. stranger?" is bill
greeting.
You give him the usuad handshake
which is the custom Of the country
and commence to tell your story. Blu
before It is finished he says "Step IA
sab, brother" afN
YcG enter tho door bsfora yous hosl
Shtah = customary smonE mountai