The Springfield herald., 1913-06-27

AVE of the most interesting re-
gions in the United States is
the southern Appalachians. 1t
is a land of giants and patri-
archal families and OF isolated
simplicites 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 $240 a 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 Businesses; 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 IL we'll paid.
Throughout these ranges are bride
paths, where notches are cut in the
the horse or mule to secure good foot
ing. A traveller can find nowhere such
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 on 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 few feet below Is the trail, a
switchback, and to gain one-fourth Of
mile you climb a whole one.
In the Everoreens.
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 18 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 a 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 hollow tree sawed in
two. then set on end on hewn timber
and covered with slab split from
log. Away in the distant woodland
one hears the ting. ting" of the cow
bell.
A man about six fet four inches in
hight energies from the door.
How d'you do. stranger" is his
greeting.
You give him the usuad handshake.
which is the custom Of the country,
and commence to tell your story. But
before 1t is finished he says. step in.
sab, brother"
You enter the door before your host.
which is customary among mountain