The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 1864: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 1864: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Thus far, our only fellow traveller had been a school girl, going home
for the summer vacation. At Keene our number was increased by the
addition of another damsel, with accompaniment of two hounds, Spart and
Prince, bound for Saranac. When first fastened behind the open wagon
(our stage), they began a vigorous quarrel, which struck us very much as
a matrimonial squabble, both tied, and neither having a fair chance for
a free fight. Our driver, an excellent specimen of the upright and
intelligent man of Northern New York, cracked his whip, increased the
existing merriment by calling out, 'Wal, dogs, hev ye done fightin'?'
and started up the long declivity leading over the Adirondac range,
through Pitch-off Mountain (another pass), to the plains of North Elba.
The hill is a long one, the cliffs of the mountain pass exceedingly
picturesque, and the black tarn under the beetling crags suggestive of
Poe's 'House of Usher.' Long, however, ere we reached this point, Spart
had gnawed through his rope, and was trotting beside the wagon. Our
driver vainly endeavored to refasten him. Although mild of visage, and
apparently good-natured, he showed so formidable a set of teeth, that it
was thought prudent to desist, and trust to his following his companion,
who still trotted along, coughing and choking, and almost stifled by our
own dust, blown after us by the east wind. After this attempt, Spart
evidently played shy of our whole party, and, having raced ahead during
a few miles, finally disappeared in the woods, probably attracted by the
scent of game.
We reached North Elba (twelve miles from Keene) about noon, and there
stopped to dine at Scott's, a place widely and favorably known to
travellers in that section of country. Round the plain of North Elba
tower the very highest peaks of the Adirondacs; Tahawus (Marcy), Golden,
McIntire, and the beautiful gateway of the Indian Pass to the south, and
to the north the scarred sides of Whiteface and the bold forms of the
mountains bordering the Wilmington notch. Descending the plain into the
village, we came to the West Branch of the Au Sable, which rises in the
Indian Pass, and flows past the former dwelling of John Brown. The
little wooden tenement is in full view from the road, and stands in the
midst of the clearing made by old John himself, with the aid of his
sons. His grave is in the garden near the house, beside a huge rock. The
place is of his own selection, and is now visited by many who, while
reprehending the means taken by the gray-haired enthusiast for the
accomplishment of his designs, cannot but rejoice that the final freedom
of every human being within the limits of our country seems so probable
a result of the present struggle. The neighbors--even those of opposing
political creeds--give John Brown an excellent character for integrity
and charitable deeds. His family have all left the region, and are, I
believe, scattered through the great West.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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