41


AL
4317
40
WIDENER LIBRARY
HX 51RY V



L4317.400
NOV: ANGL
CHRISTO
650
SIGILL
UN
ΛΟΝ
26
COLL
THE GIFT OF
OF
ECCLESIAE
vvo
SAMUEL ABBOTT GREEN, M.D.,
BOSTON
(Class of 1851),
HARVARD
2
July, 1886.
Gu



05
Crven
TV 2245
The Hermit
of the Lake
or
sland 2
Princess
inding Co.
Miberty
RESENTED BY THE
PASSUMPSIC
RAILROAD.
26-7-86





0
THE
HERMIT OF THE LAKE;
W.&J.
OR,
THE ISLAND PRINCESS.

A STORY OF LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG AND THE SOUTHWEST.
Presented by the
CONNECTICUT VALLEY & PASSUMPSIC RAILROADS.
Season of 1886.


AL 4317.xo
کوئی ڈرتے ہو
1886 July 26
sipa
プ
​1 st
Bhe
10.
WRITTEN, ILLUSTRATED AND PRINTED BY THE
LIBERTY PRINTING CO.,
No. 107 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK.
1


THE HERMIT OF THE LAKE;
66
OR,
THE ISLAND PRINCESS.

WHA
HE task would be difficult, in-
deed, to find two scenes within the
borders of our country more widely
diverse in appearance and surround-
ing than that in which this record
of a summer's journey begins and
where it has its ending.
The one brings us into the midst
of the boundless Texan prairie, where
vast herds of cattle graze along
the far-away horizon, and a group
of half wild athletic men loiter in
the shade of the wide porch in
front of the ranch San Benito watching a
bright-eyed young Mexican mastering an un-
ruly broncho.
The other reveals a region of crags and
vales, of running trout streams and still, deep waters,
which reflect back the rich verdure and moss-draped
rocks that border the beautiful Lake of Memphremagog.
It is a country full of hospitality and homely ways: a
delight to the eye and a refuge for the weary.
'Well, Harry, my boy, what are you up to now, hey?"
The speaker was a bearded and dusty horseman of splendid physique,
who had vaulted lightly from his horse and entered the big common room
of the ranch house at the moment.


4
Always up to something nobody else would think of, ain't you?
Well, now, what do you call that?"
66
Major Ben lifted the sixteen-year-old lad into his lap just as he had
always done since he had come into possession of the child at the age of a
year, and Harry submitted with the frank grace of one who fully under-
stood his protector and foster-father.
The Major looked down curiously at a crumpled mass of heavy

wrapping paper which the boy had tacked to a board, a rude topographic
model.
"Well, Ben, you see I was reading to-day about a great traveler who
came to America upon a voyage of discovery, and when his sovereign
asked him what the country was like he took a sheet of paper, crumpled
it up, and threw it upon the table before the king. It must have been
something like that," and the boy pointed at his own effort.
"I guess he didn't come down to Texas, or he would have left some
of it flat," said the Major; "or he didn't go up into Vermont, where I
used to live, or he would have poured in a little water, like this," and the


5
laughing ranchman lifted a tumbler and spilled a part of its contents into
the midst of Harry's chart. This speedily formed itself into little lakes or
ran away merrily down to the coast at the edge of the board, dripping to
the floor.
In the centre of the most wrinkled and broken portion of the sheet a
little pool formed in a long narrow valley of paper walls, with short lateral
arms leading up lesser valleys.
"Well, now," exclaimed the Major, "if that ain't just as much like
old Memphremagog as I'm like myself! Here's Province Island and a
lot of other islands; and here's Owl's Head, and there's Elephantus, over
the line, in Canady; and right here is where I used to live when I's a boy,
and got licked sometimes for tumbling off of the rocks into the water. It's
curious how much I have thought about that old lake lately. I wonder if
this ain't another warnin' for me to attend to. I've been hearin' 'em for
months past, just as plain as you can hear an Indian when he wants to
stampede a round-up. That ain't very plain, unless your'e used to Indians;
but it's plain enough for me.”
"Dear old Ben, I want to see the mountains. Why! here I've been
all my life on the plains, and never saw anything much bigger than a
prairie dog's mound. You've told me so much about Memphremagog,
why can't we go? You know Aunt Marion wrote us to come last year,
and again last month."
Ben's soft heart never could withstand that boy's pleading, but there
were other influences which seemed to him to be drawing him back to
the old home despite his reluctance to leave his affairs even for a few
weeks. They came to him in dreams, when he was in the cross timber,
or alone upon the prairie. The time had come to obey the summons or
declare resistance to the call.
"We will go, my boy!" exclaimed the Major, with unwonted energy.
"There's no use fighting against the idee. There's some good reason why
I ought to be there, an' it may be too late, one of these days."
"And will you take Manuel? Say 'yes,' you dear old fellow."
"Yes," replied Major Ben. "But how do you think Aunt Marion
will like such a boy as Manuel. Why, he's more'n half savage. Worse'n I
am, for that matter. Look at him, this minute!"
Through the open window there was a glimpse of the Mexican boy
and a flying broncho as they disappeared around the corner of the house
with an irate and baffled cowboy in close pursuit, lasso in hand.


6
"Manuel's been up to some of his Indian tricks agin, I reckon. Them
Apaches had him so long he takes to their ways like ducks to water. But,
lordy, there ain't nothing mean or cussed about him. He's clear grit, and
as kind and loving as a lambkin," soliloquized the Major. "I guess it'll be
a good thing to take him along. May be you and Aunt Marion will re-
form him a bit. Now you and that young savage just go and take a little
exercise down toward the stage road-anywhere, so I don't hear the
racket I want to think, and I never can think when you youngsters are
around."
When the big hearted Texan had watched the two boys until they
were but little dots in the distance and still flying upon their ponies across
the prairie, he sighed, and fumbling in his various pockets finally pulled
out a soiled envelope from which he drew a letter almost equally soiled
from frequent perusal. It read as follows:
NEWPORT, Vermont, May 1, 188-.
Major Benj Burritt, San Benito Ranch, Texas.
MY DEAR BROTHER BEN: Your welcome and long-hoped for letter
has been with me some days. I am glad that you recognize the subtle
influence which has drawn your heart toward the old home. After so
many years of absence when a man feels a yearning unaccustomed to
him for the scenes of his childhood and youth, though he may try to
forget and resist the impulse to return, he can no more do so than the
birds can cease from their northward flight when spring returns. I be-
lieve that there is a subtle power which enables us to commune with each
other at a distance. Your elder brother possessed this power to a remark-
able degree while he lived. You must yield and come to us. I need
hardly urge the pleasure it would give both your niece, Miss Bertha (now
a bright girl of about Harry's age), and myself to see you here with Harry
and that young heathen Manuel, of whom you write-if you think the
latter wouldn't scalp us when we are asleep.
Perhaps I may be able to induce you to let me have them for a time.
They ought to get the benefit of some schooling.
Your loving sister,
66
MARION FRENCH.
'Well, now,
what does she think I'm going to do without them two
boys, and then to have 'em coming round in a year or two reminding me


7

Tilly
of my want of book education.
I couldn't stand that.
Yes, I
could, too. Ben Burritt, you're
a selfish old bear. They must
go to school. But it goes hard
to think of it."
Away across the prairie he
noted the returning forms of the
two boys and his eyes were suf-
fused with unaccustomed tears.
With softened heart Major
Ben sat as the shadows of the
peaceful evening deepened about
him, and gave himself over to
the pensive pleasure of retros-
pect. He sat as one sits in a pic-
ture gallery, and the scenes of
years gone by appeared upon the
canvas of memory, beginning
10
with the quiet home upon Memphremagog. Then the shadow of death
which left him and his eldest brother, with their sister Marion; orphans
and poor. Then the long pilgrimage of the emigrants to the West
fourteen years before, in which his brother, with a young wife and babe,
had joined. Marion only remaining behind. Then the fierce and fright-
ful night attack by Indians in the mountains of Colorado; the death of
his brother and wife, and his own long captivity and adoption by the
savages; the discovery of the babe alive in the lodge of a chief in a near-
by village; his escape with the child, and rescue by a band of cowboy
rangers; his varied and adventurous life upon the plains, when he had
wrought deep vengeance upon the red miscreants who had killed his
brother and brother's wife; his encounter while in command of a com-
pany of rangers, with the Apaches of Arizona and rescue of the little
Mexican captive, Manuel, whom he had adopted out of pure sympathy and
the memory of his own captivity, and lastly the pleasant vision of his
present success and hopes for the future.
Thus the Major ruminated until the frugal supper was announced
which brought him back promptly to the affairs of the present, for there
is certainly nothing more reliable than a Texan appetite.


8.
Where ladies are not involved, the labor of preparation for a journey
of twenty-five hundred miles is not a serious undertaking in these days of
rapid transit and universal travel.
Within a week Major Burritt had placed the management of his ranch
in competent and faithful hands. The boys had been rigged out in "togs"
at the nearest town, thirty miles away, and they were upon their way
east in an express train over the "Sunset route." We must pass over
with brief notice the rapid and pleasant journey of our trio across the
broad empire of the Lone Star; along the great Mississippi, and through
the populous states east of the great river to the metropolis of New York.
Every mile was fraught with wondrous interest for the two untraveled
lads, and of pleasant reminiscence to the Major, who could well draw the
infinite comparison between the tedious journey he had made westward
fourteen years ago, and the rapidity and luxury of their return.
At the beginning of a bright June day we find them standing upon the
platform of the morning train for New England, which will shortly pull
out from the Grand Central Depot. Coursing at first along the picturesque
villages and populous cities that border the Sound, giving beautiful flying
pictures of sea-shore life, and then turning aside at New Haven passes up
the broad valley of the Connecticut through Hartford, Springfield, and
on to the north.
The broad and placid river first comes into view at Hartford, where
the gilded dome of the State Capitol and its broad grounds command the
admiration of the traveler. Coursing along its shores northward, we pass
a constant succession of great factories located beside the splendid water
power. Just beyond Windsor Locks the train crosses to the east side, and
soon after passing the state line into Massachusetts arrives at Springfield,
from which point the route to White River Junction is over the tracks of
the Connecticut River Railroad.
Our three travelers never tired of watching the constantly varying
beauty of the river side scenery. Now a group of great factories, full of
busy workers, greeted their gaze, and then some quiet shady village or
distant range of hills. Now they crossed, after passing Chicopee, to the
western side of the river, and sped along the beautifully cultivated region,
so worshipped by poets and painters, between Mount Holyoke and Mount
Tom. On, past Northampton, Hatfield, the Deerfields, Greenfield (fields
without number), South Vernon, and now we are in Vermont with New
Hampshire just over the river. At Bellows Falls is another transit of the


9

PASSUMPSIC RIVER.
river, and so many factories that the boys wondered who could possibly
buy all the goods they must make here. Now we are in New Hampshire
for a few miles, and then back again into Vermont much to the Major's
satisfaction, for it made him feel that the long journey was nearly at an
end, and who that claims the grand old Green Mountain State as his
native soil, does not love her?
The Major had done well to take the morning train from New York.
and give his youthful charges an opportunity to see the great and diversi-
fied industries, the thrift, refinement and energy manifest in the region
they had traversed. It was an object lesson not lost upon the wide-awake
youths, whose constant and eager questions taxed the Major's fund of in-
formation, and shrewd conjecture to the. utmost. At White River
Junction the Connecticut River Railroad ends, and the Passumpsic Rail-



M
CUD
REARAC
BURKE MOUNTAIN, VT.
Villde
AH TAYLOR


11
road begins, but the same cars with a fresh engine at the head keep on
with their throng of passengers; some to branch away at Wells River
into the White Mountains; some to Lake Memphremagog, and others
through to Montreal, over the South-Eastern Railway, or to picturesque
Quebec over the Quebec Central or Grand Trunk Railways.
66
During the season of northern pleasure travel, this is the great high-
way of New England, with splendid through cars from New York to the
White Mountains, and elegant Monarch Parlor-Sleeping Cars from Spring-
field to Quebec."
This item of practical interest the Major read from the railway folder.
The season was evidently fairly under way as the coach in which they
sat was well filled with pleasure seekers northward bound. The American
people are learning to begin their holidays earlier, and keep them up
later in the summer than they used to. The summer outing is no longer
a mere luxury, but is considered with all intelligent people as a matter
of course.
Still along the diminished current of the Connecticut we go. The
hills are higher here, and valleys whose little streamlets pour into the
river are contracted. The pine crops out amid the rocks, the air is cooler,
and waiting stages so plentiful all along the road at the smaller stations
show the wear and tear of rough and mountainous usage.
The bright little river which the Indians named the Passumpsic loses
itself in the Connecticut a few miles south of St. Johnsbury. The Pas-
sumpsic flows down from the great ridge that divides the valley of the
Connecticut from that of the St. Lawrence. It is a changeable little
stream, deep and still beneath the willows here, or
"Down on the sharp-horned ledges,
Plunging in steep cascade,
Tossing its white-maned waters
Against the hemlock's shade."
St. Johnsbury, one of the most attractive of the smaller New England
towns, is celebrated as the seat of the great Fairbank's scale industry.
Lyndonville, nine miles beyond, is the headquarters of the Passumpsic
Railroad Company, the general offices being located in the depot building.
In the vicinity of West Burke the railroad crosses the summit of the
divide and meets a little stream flowing northward into Lake Memphre-
magog. scenery along this section of the road is very beautiful.
Burke Mountain is the nearest elevation, while a few miles to the east,



CRYSTAL LAKE.


13

WILLOUGHBY LAKE.
E. H. TAYLOR
Willoughby Lake, a resort reached by stage from
West Burke, rests between two stupendous cliffs.
Away to the westward Mt. Mansfield, chief of the Green Mountains,
lifts its noble head.
PINK,
These New Englanders fully enjoy their release from the thraldom of
a long winter. Many and popular are the jolly days when the long ex-
cursion trains destined for Lake Memphremagog come speeding along.
Our Texans happened upon such a day when they approached the end
of their journey. Hundreds of happy Vermonters, young and old, with
brilliantly uniformed bands were en route to a grand regatta at Newport.


14
As the train slowed up in its approach to the station at Newport,
Major Ben's feelings almost conquered him; and when five minutes later,
he with the two wondering boys was pushing his way through the throng,
he felt quite as much inclined to the spirit of the day as his two charges.
Newport, a pleasant and shady little village, is located immediately at
the head of the lake. The large and elegant Memphremagog House is
located close to the shore,
its porches commanding
a superb panorama of
lake and mountain scen-
ery. This house is the
property of the railroad
company, and was built
especially to accommo-
date the summer trav-
elers, who usually stop
here at least a day or so en
route north or south to en-
joy the tour of the lake
or the fine fishing that
abounds here. The Mem-
phremagog House is
managed by Mr. William
H. Witt, a gentleman of
experience.
In the days when
Major Ben had played
upon the shores of Lake
Memphremagog such
great gatherings as these
were unknown. In the
midst of his surprise at

the concourse and pleas-
ure at the animated scene upon the water, he almost forgot his anxiety
to reach the quiet cottage of his only sister, and wisely decided to allow
the boys full opportunity to enjoy the day.
At one point along the lake front a large crowd was gathered watch-
ing the preparations of a group of Indian canoeists, who were entered for



LADY LAKE
EI
MEMPRAREMAGOG HOUSE.


16
لد
a race. These swarthy descendants of the aborigines, natives of the
French Canadian region to the north of the lake, were famous athletes
and racers in their light and speedy birch bark canoes. They were hardy,
muscular fellows, clad in bright, barbaric colors, their bare arms glisten-
ing like bronze in the sunlight. Altogether they made a pretty and pic-
turesque group upon the water.
Among them was one who, from his splendid bearing and quiet air of
confidence, as well as his superior stature, was the most observed of the
group. The other contestants eyed him curiously, as it was evident he
belonged to some tribe of the West and was unknown to them. The
mystery which surrounded his unlooked for appearance was intensified
by the fact that he had been seen now and then about the lake for some
months, and as it was supposed that he lived somewhere along the wild
shores near Owl's Head Mountain, he had already been styled the
"Hermit of the Lake."
No one knew his name, and few had spoken with him. Major Ben
watched him closely, and as he did so an indefinable influence seemed to
hold him spellbound. He felt that he must speak to the giant stranger.
The racers were already in line; now the thronging boats (always where
they should not be at a race on the water) were forced backed and the
racers were off all together. The sunlight glanced from the flying blades
of their paddles. Now it was this one and now that who led for a brief
moment, while the crowds on the steamboats and the crowds on the shore
yelled themselves into a fever.
Out from the struggling bunch slowly but surely drew the power-
ful stranger. His light craft seemed to fairly leap from the water in
response to hi measured but telling strokes. No a length ahead,
now two, and at last a clear half score as he crosses the line upon
the homestretch, and quietly watches his adversaries struggling in.
That's right, give him three times three! All mankind loves a deed
of splendid physical power such as this. Who is he? No one can tell.
And when an hour later the judges seek to award him the prize
he has earned, he is gone. Far up the lake the tiny flash of his
homeward-bound paddle breaks the still surface. He has scorned the
money, and eluded those who might have learned too much if he
answered their questions.
Major Ben and the boys finding some difficulty in getting a vehicle to
carry them the half-dozen miles that should bring them to the house of


17
Mrs. Marion French, determined with sturdy Texan indifference to fatigue
to walk to the place.
The Indian victor had wrought a strange fascination in the breast of
the Texan, and he felt a strong sense of disappointment in his failure to
meet him and satisfy his curiosity. Was it not possible that this demi-
savage, though so far from the terrible scene of his brother's death might
be in some way connected with the event, and knew just in what manner
his noble brother had fallen? for Major Ben had no knowledge of the
details beyond the mere story of the Indians who had captured and spared
him to become an avenger. In no other way could he account for the
weird longing he had felt to meet the Indian.
Thus soliloquizing, the Major with his companions walked rapidly
along the road down the lake. The highway was full of carriages, whose
occupants, returning from
Newport, glanced curious-
ly at the strangers.
22.
Suddenly there was a
scene of confusion behind
them, and in a moment
a runaway horse emerged
from the cloud of dust,
its mane tossing as it
madly plunged onward.
Behind it was a light car-
riage containing a pale but
beautiful girl and an elderly lady, who were swayed from
side to side, and in imminent danger of being thrown
headlong by the roadside.
二
​In a brief moment the flying animal had reached, and all but passed
the Texans. As quick as the lightning's flash, while the Major was hurled
back by the errant steed's fearful impetus, as he vainly essayed to arrest
him, the young Mexican had leaped upon his back and held the animal by
the bit. To have missed would have been fatal, to succeed was glorious.
The frightened animal felt the pressure of a master hand, and his destruc-
tive career was stayed. Dismounting, while a dozen arms were out-
stretched to hold the trembling beast, he was astonished to witness the
elderly lady fall into the Major's arms with single exclamation as she
swooned, "Benjamin, at last."


18
A month later the Major, two boys, with the still invalid Aunt
Marion, and Bertha, the bright-eyed daughter, were seated toward even-
ing in the pretty rustic pavilion that graced the foot of the garden close
to the lake. There was an expression of deep content upon the Major's
face, and yet his eye restlessly sought the horizon as though in quest of
something long yearned for. Then his attention was fixed upon a small
object that moved from the distant opposite shore, and gradually ap-
proached an island which arose abruptly from the surface of the lake. It
was the mysterious Indian, and he alone had observed his transit.
"To-morrow, dear Uncle, we will show you and Mamma our camp,'
said Bertha, looking with fond admiration at the handsome ranchman,
and casting a furtive glance at the young Mexican who had rescued her
mother and self so bravely from the runaway.
The shock of that fearful ride had seriously affected Aunt Marion,
who had been confined to the house since the incident, her brother re-
maining loyally by her side. Both had frequently discussed the
mysterious but constant sense of an unseen influence which had been felt
by each while thousands of miles apart, and invariably their thoughts
were turned to the luckless elder brother, slain by the Indians, whose
strong will and strange mesmeric power had so often been displayed when
they were children together. They felt equally assured that the mystery
would be solved ere many days, and rested content in that assurance.
The three young people thus left much to themselves had, under the
pilotage of Miss Bertha, a real water-nymph, made long excursions upon
the lake to the many beautiful islets that dot its bosom, or among the
rocky secrets of Owl's Head Mountain. Upon one of these voyages they
had conceived the idea of building a bark camping shelter upon one of
these wild islands, and selecting a quiet nook where they might safely
moor their boat. They had worked diligently for several days, and now the
camp was ready to receive its honored guests.
"And where is your camp?" asked the Major.
Upon yonder island, just where the tall pine reaches so far above
the rest," replied Harry, pointing down the lake.
The Major started. It was the same upon which he had seen the
mysterious Indian disembark but a moment before, but he said nothing of
that.
66
"We will be most happy to accept your hospitality, will we not,
sister?" said Major Ben lightly, though inwardly disturbed by many con-


19

EH TAYLOR
SETTE ALEGR
A VILLA ON THE LAKE.
flicting emotions. He saw in the play-day labor of the children a deep
purpose, of which they were simply the unwitting instruments leading up
to a solution of the life riddle which vexed his soul. To morrow would
bring the answer or he should despair.
To give a touch of the picturesque to the projected visit to the camp
which, at the suggestion of the Major, they had named "Kismet," the
boys were allowed to don hunting costumes which had been brought from
Texas in their trunks Harry appeared in the neat buckskin suit of a
ranger, while Manuel, who had disappeared for a half hour, suddenly
emerged with a terrifying whoop clad in all the glory of feathers, blankets
and leggings of a young Apache brave.
A further surprise awaited not only Aunt Marion, but the two boys,
when, after a sly consultation with Major Ben, the pretty maiden hid


20
herself, and presently came 'forth costumed as a lovely little Indian
princess. The Major had thoughtfully brought this beautifully em-
broidered and elaborate suit as a present for his noice, and had awaited
just such an opportunity for revealing it.
The Major had noted the departure of the Indian canoeist from the
island that morning through a field glass, and felt no hesitancy in allow-
ing the happy little trio of masqueraders to go at once and take possession,
preparing a bright camp fire for their guests.
An hour later the three sat upon the greensward in front of their
camp" awaiting eagerly the coming of the Major and Aunt Marion.
It was a still midsummer day, and the blue smoke curled up among
the tree tops from their little fire hardly swayed by the faint zephyr that
fanned their cheeks. The stroke of oars, not altogether regular in cadence,
told of the struggle the Major was having in his efforts to bring the boat
safely to the Island.
66
The music of a band miles away at Mountain House Park playing for
a merry party of dancers came across the still water, mingling with their
ringing laughter at the Major's unskilled oarsmanship.
Slowly there came upon the little group the shadow of an unseen
presence. Each felt it alike, and looked furtively at the others. Now
they sat powerless to rise, and presently, as though an expected guest,
there stood before them the noble form of the "Hermit of the Lake," clad
in the full costume of a Navajo chief.
Holding out his hands reassuringly, he spoke in good English :
"Be not alarmed. I am your friend and will prove it, and yet you
are in my power. See," and he extended his arm rigidly toward the girl,
who arose silently and came toward him. He waved her back to her
place, and pointed his outstretched hand toward the approaching boat.
The Major's nerveless hands dropped the oars and he sat like one in a
dream. Then, the charm removed by a rapid pass, he resumed his strokes
and presently reached the slight landing at the "
camp."
Bidding the youths to say nothing but go to the help of the matron,
the strange hermit stood with folded arms and gazed intently toward the
group at the landing.
Before their eyes met those of the Indian both of the newcomers had
recognized the volatile presence of the influence with which they were
now familiar, and the Major, looking at the tall savage, knew that the
hour of revelation had come.


21
C
1
P
1
기
​Ot
e)
It
Hardly more than surprise was manifested by the aunt, she, too, hav-
ing a firm presentment that the intruder meant no harm, though she
marveled at his strange and picturesque costume.
Standing before them he began :
Listen, and have no fear. Many years ago a band of travelers to
the far southwest camped in a cañon near a spring for the night. That
night the Indians fell upon them and few escaped. Among them were
two brothers, one with a wife and babe. The mother was killed and the
father sadly hurt. The babe and the younger brother were carried away.
The elder brother, nursed by a squaw back to life, remained with his
captors for years. He studied their language, learned their ways and be-
came like them that he might better find revenge. Through a power in-
herent from childhood and constantly exercised he could bring to a halt
the strongest chief, or cause the most powerful hand to relax its grasp.
This power made him a great medicine man. By its aid he sought to
learn the fate of his brother and babe. He wandered from tribe to tribe.
He went into Mexico and there in time became rich in the silver mines,
but the riches were of no avail, for he was impelled always to seek those
lost ones whom he believed to be alive. All these years he had not beard
66

N


22
from the one sister left behind. Marriage and removal had placed her
beyond his reach ; but in her widowhood she returned to the old home by
the lake, and at last the wandering brother came there, too. He wished
to try through her the power of compelling the ones he sought tɔ return
there also. That he might better fix his mind upon this one wish of his
life with unswerving will, he chose to assume the long-discarded costume
of the medicine man and dwell secretly in the forest. For months this
island has been his home. See, he is gone, and Morris, the elder brother,
has come to life. Oh, heavens! speak to me. Ha ha! No longer a
wretched Indian, but a live American. Speak to me, Ben! Why don't
you speak, Marion ?”
It would be futile to describe the scene. None had suspected that un-
der the deep disguise of the Indian they should discover the brother so
long mourned as dead, and the subtle mesmerist himself had little thought
that the manly boy who stood by the Major's side was the babe whom he
had lost in the midnight attack.
""
"And this," said the Major, 'is Manuel Estafan, taken from his
father's hacienda in Chihuahua by Apaches, rescued and adopted by Ben
Burritt, Commandant of Rangers."
"Estafan!" cried the new-found brother; "and why was he not re-
turned to his father?
"It was for the reason that all of his relatives were killed in the raid.
I sent a Mexican messenger to verify the fact,” replied the Major.
"A man named Sancho Mendoza?"
99
"That was his name," responded Ben, with great surprise.
"One of the worst rascals that ever went unhung," exclaimed his
questioner, with flashing eyes. "Why, the family of Estafan are not only
alive, but paid this Mendoza a large sum to ransom the boy, since which
time he has never been seen. Alfardo Estafan, this boy's father, is my
partner in the Esperanza Silver Mine, the best vein in the State of Chi-
huahua. This is great news."
The list of surprises was capped at last when the "Hermit" led the
way to his sheltered "den," as he termed it, in a romantic nook of the
island, and there revealed a well-filled table awaiting them, set beneath
the trees in anticipation of their coming.
“I claim no magic power in this," he exclaimed; “I simply over-
heard these youngsters planning their little reception of to-day, and
determined to take a hand."


23
"Tell us, Morris," said Major Ben, "why did you appear at the re-
gatta, and then after winning the prize, run away ?"
'Well," answered the elder brother, "you see I wanted to discover
how far I could trust myself in my character of an Indian; and when I
saw you in the crowd I knew you at once, and I feared that you would
discover me before the time came."
The summer weeks rolled by. A letter sent by the wanderer to his
66

SEÑOR ESTAFAN.
partner in Mexico carried the glad news of his son's discovery, and a reply
received within a short time informed them that Señor Estafan, with his
señora and daughter, were about starting upon a journey to the east to
regain their lost child as soon as possible.
"This means," said the Major, "that they will be along here within
three days, and as they are to come from Chicago by the way of Montreal


24
why should we not all go to that city and await them? I have business
there to look after."
This proposition met with great favor, and it was decided to start the
following day.
The South-Eastern Railway (there are no railroads in Canada), leaves
Newport toward the westward, losing sight of the lake at a distance of a
few miles, and then enters the domain of Her British Majesty, continuing
northwest to Montreal. En route it passes through the French Canadian
region. The quaint little settlements and provincial ways contrasting
strangely with the wideawake Yankee towns we have seen through
New England.
The St. Lawrence river is crossed upon the famous Victoria tubular
bridge.
Montreal is always interesting, and our excursionists, while anxiously
awaiting at the great Windsor Hotel, the arrival of the Mexican family,
found the time pleasantly occupied in studying the provincial French
life which surges around the picturesque Bonsecours Market, or in the
great cathedral, and among the handsome stores of St. James Street.
They rode through the beautiful park, visited the Grey Nuns at the con-
vent, and did the thousand and one things that all travelers do who go to
Canada's chief city.
At length came the supreme moment when, at the Bonaventure
Station, the little Mexican lad and his fond parents were again united.
No need to tell the scene. The volatile child was torn with conflicting
emotions, joy at meeting his scarce remembered parents, and sorrow at
losing his kind guardian, Major Ben, and Ben himself was but little less
affected, for he had long ago learned to love the brave lad he had rescued
from the murderous Apaches.
The incident of the meeting with its main features somewhat mixed,
became public property through the newspapers, and to escape the con-
sequent annoyance of notoriety, and allow Señor Estafan and his family
to rest a few days, Aunt Marion French proposed that the Major should
pilot the party to Quebec while she returned to her Lakeside Cottage and
be prepared to entertain them. But it was finally arranged that all
should go to Quebec and thence to Newport over the Quebec Central Rail-
way, the Mexicans locating at the Owl's Head Mountain House, a
picturesque place quite near the cottage, upon Memphremagog. Quebec,
where one may rest tranquilly, or seek diversion in sight-seeing with


25
equal facility is beyond a doubt the most interesting of the cities upon
this continent.
To one who has traveled in other lands it will seem like some citadel
of the Mediterranean sea coast rather than a city of the north.
The gray walls of the fortress look down from their lofty height upon
the upper town and its splendid Dufferin terrace, from which, in turn, we
may gaze almost down the chimneys of the tall structures thronging the
lower town beside the broad St. Lawrence. To the north and west the
historic plain of Abraham stretches away along the highland, and toward
the northeast, or down the river, the well-traveled Beauport road
stretches seven miles to the grand falls of Montmorenci. Quebec is at
once a surprise and a delight, and so our party of excursionists found it.
At the end of a week they turned their faces southward, and the
kindly heart of Aunt Marion was rejoiced at the admiration lavishly ex-
pressed by the Mexicans at the beauty of the region where so many happy
and eventful days had been spent.
The Señorita Carmella, sister of Manuel, rapidly mastered the Eng-
lish language under the active tutelage of her young friends, Harry and
Bertha, whose constant delight seemed to be the pleasure of the fair young
foreigner, to whom such things as boating, mountain-climbing and pic-
nicking were new. Frequent excursions were made to please her upon
the fine steamer "Lady of the Lake," Capt. Cleveland.
At last came October, and with it the question of home for the Mexi-
cans, Texas for the Major, and school for the boys. Aunt Marion insisted
that her original plan ought to be carried out, and Señor Estafan and his
señora were finally induced to leave Manuel with Harry in her charge.


26

AKING the privilege of the story-teller
the writer will now ask the reader to
come back with him, four years later,
to those sylvan scenes.
At Wells River a gentleman and
lady wait the coming of the Montre-
al Day Express from Boston with
some impatience. The gentleman,
attired in a new black broadcloth
suit, is a splendidly proportioned
man, who seems ill at ease in his conventional costume. We recognize
in that firm step and kindly but swarthy face our old friend, the "Hermit
of the Lake," the "Medicine Man of the Navajos," and in his companion
the beaming face of Aunt Marion.
The coming train, leaving Boston via the Boston & Lowell R.R.,
Concord, Lake Winnepesaukee and Plymouth (with dinner at the famous
Pemigewassett House), arrived at Wells River promptly to the minute.
As the train comes to a stop the pair enter a special car which has
piqued the curiosity of the train all the way from Boston.
It is rumored that there has been a wedding-a rich young Mexican,
who has been at school under a private tutor in Boston, has married a
Yankee girl. So far rumor is correct, and that there might be another
wedding one of these days between the young Texan and the lovely señ-
orita, who acted as "best man " and bridesmaid, was also thought proba-
ble.
The reader will have no difficulty, we opine, in recognizing in the
happy couple "that young savage, Manuel," and the little Yankee girl
whose life he rescued and heart he captured at the time of the runaway.
Nor in their almost equally happy attendants, Harry and Señorita Car-
mella. With them were Señor and Señora Estafan and the handsome
Major, whose resplendent silk hat outshone, if possible, that of his elder
brother.
A brief excursion of a week was made through the White Mountains.
First to Fabyans, then to the Maplewood near Bethlehem, then to the
Profile Notch, and thence past Fabyans again and to the Crawford House,
through White Mountain Notch to North Conway and to Portland, Old
Orchard Beach and Kennebunkport.


27
The beginning of another week found the party at the cottage.
A pretty steam yacht bearing the name "Hermit of the Lake" in golden
letters upon its shapely bow waited at the foot of the garden for its pas-
sengers, and presently a merry party set out for "Camp Kismet," upon an
island set like a gem upon the bosom of the lake.
The islet where four years ago the weird power of the Hermit" was
manifested, is now owned by the rich silver miner. Where the little bark
shelter once stood at "Camp Kismet," a bright summer cottage nestles
amid the trees. and at the opposite end of the island where once the
"Hermit" kept his lonely vigil, another villa is being built.
The former is, with much pleasant ceremony, deeded over to the new
couple, and the latter will, perchance, in another season, be the happy
home of Harry and his bride. In the latter there is a spare room for
Uncle Morris, as the "Hermit" is now generally called, and the Estafans
are thinking seriously of building a summer villa near the cottage of
good Aunt Marion, where Major Ben, in the intervals of his life upon his
great ranch in Texas, spen much of his time.
INMATR
""



you
Dave & Alder's Pub Dept.NY
77


29
PASSUMPSIC
742
List of Hotels and Summer Boarding Houses
ON THE LINE AND REACHED BY THE
TOWN.
Sherbrooke, P. Q.
063
SOUT
Lenoxville, P. Q.
No. Hatley, P. Q.
66
66
Derby..
66
66
66
Massawippi, P. Q.
Stanstead,
66
66
Newport..
66
66
Owls Head.....
Georgeville.....
66
6.
66
66
NAME OF HOUSE.
Magog,
Sherbrooke,
Continental,
Bellevue,
College Hotel.
Ramsey's Hotel,
Private,
66
66
66
66
E. Hatley Hotel,
Derby Line Hotel,
Tomphobia.
Stanstead Hotel,
Vt. Memphremagog,
66
Newport,
Arlington,
Private,
Vt. Derby Lake,
Magog...... P. Q. Park,
66
Mountain,
Camperdown,
Lakeside,
Packard,
Williamson,
The Cottage,
Barton L'd'g.....Vt. Valley.
"Crystal Lake,
American,
Barton......
Hillside Lake Farm,
RAILROAD.

PROP. OR LANDLORD.
F. Geriker.
Cote & Meagher.
F. Camiraud.
Renaud Bros.
A. Colby & Son.
G. F. Ramsey.
H. N. LeBaron.
A. P. LeBaron.
A. M. Beau.
W. E. LeBaron.
I. B. Curtis.
Captain H. E. Foster.
G. F. Cooper.
Wm. H. Evans.
Wm. H. Wit.
J. Drew.
B. W. Lee.
E. L. Tracy.
Wm. N. Dariels.
J. G. Elder.
L. Collier.
Wm. Jameson.
E. S. Mowry.
C. M. Hoadley.
Wm. M'Gowan, Jr.
Mrs. C. B. Packard.
J. P. Williamson.
D. A. Bullock.
J. H. Brown.
George E. Leith.
W. L. Darling.
No. OF ROOMS.
3518344
65 $2.00
65
60
30
30
3
4
10
5
ន គគ ន . ន
10
31
20
27
253
50
25
10
6
40
PRICE PER DAY.
10
75
38
100
25
15
10
10
30
28
18
2.00
1.50
1.50
1.00
1.00
1.00
.75
.75
.75
1.00
1.50
1.50
1.50
3.00
1.50
2.50
1.50
2.50
1.00
2.00
.75
1.50
2.00
1.00
2.00
1.50
2.00
2.00
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
2.00
1.50
PRICE
PER
WEEK.
$ 10.00
10.00
7.00
5.00
4.50
4.00
4.00
5.00
3.00
4.00
3.00
4.00
3.00
4.00
4.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
10.00
21.00
6.00
10.00
6.00
10.00
4.00
6.50
4.00
6.00
6.00
9.00
4.00
6.00
5.00
6.00
5.00
6.00
9.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
10.00
5.00
8.00


30
LIST OF HOTELS AND SUMMER BOARDING HOUSES-Continued.

TOWN.
Barton...
.Vt. Lake View,
Westmore.......Vt. Willoughby Lake,
West Burke...
..
Boarding House,
Lyndonville.. Vt. Webb's Hotel,
Union
66
Vt. Lyndon,
Barnet
Lyndon
St. Johnsbury.... St. Johnsbury,
........
66
26
66
66
66
66
......
Peacham
So. Peacham
Munroe
Mclndoes
66
Danville.........Vt. Elm,
West Concord.
Passumpsic...
66
66
66
66
"Trull's Hotel,
46
66
NAME OF HOUSE.
66
66
66
Avenue,
Cottage Hotel,
Boarding House,
46
66
66
Wells River......Vt. Wells River,
Cottage Hotel,
Private,
Private,
66
66
Vt. Lake View,
Nillson,
Brocks,
66
Vt. Fairview,
Boarding,
"Monroe.
Perry's.
Bishops',
Private,
66
66
66
33:
::
PROP. OR LANDLORD.
Henry Danforth.
F. Richardson & Co.
M. L. Colby.
C. M. Smith.
C. N. Webb.
L. F. Shonyo.
C. Stevens.
A. G. Tolman.
B. G. Howe.
R. B. Flint.
O. Chase.
C. T. Brigham.
C. W. Thurber.
E. H. Woodbury.
A. J. Dexter.
J. A. Dexter.
W. F. Hastie.
C. T. Greenbanks.
W. S. Brock.
Robert Haskell.
Wm. H. Lynds.
Mrs. M. G. Huntley.
A. B. Perry.
O. Bishops.
P. Van Dyke.
Danforth & Coburn.
W. P. Johnson.
Mrs. F. Deming.
66
E. Baldwin, Jr.
66 J. B. Colby.
U. Durant.
Mrs. W. G. Foss.
A. S. Farwell.
C. H. Hutchins.
Mrs. K. L. Whit-
comb.
6. E. C. Graves.
66
C. B. Leslie.
66 H. H. Lee.
R. J. Hall.
Miss C. A. Gale.
Mrs. H. A. Holton.
L
66
E. D. Carpenter.
T. S. Bartlett.
NO. OF ROOMS.
10
50
15
8
36
24
15
62
60
288200 2 2 2 202660
30
25
25
25
20
18
12
18
12
13
4
4433
00322222
PRICE PER DAY.
$1.50
2.00
1.50
7.75
2.00
2.00
1.50
2.50
2.00
1.00
1.00
2.00
1.50
2.00
1.00
1.50
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.50
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.50
1.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
PRICE
PER
WEEK.
$5.00
8.00
14.00
5.00
8.00
5.00
5.00
8.00
10.00
5.00
8.00
10.00
15.00
10.00
15.00
5.00
7.00
4.00
6.00
12.00
6.00
10.00
5.00
8.00
5.00
4.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
37.00
7.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00


31
LIST OF HOTELS AND SUMMER BOARDING HOUSES-Continued.

TOWN.
Wells River......Vt. Private,
Newbury..
66
Haverhill...
Bradford
66
Hanover
66
West Fairlee
66
66
Lyme......
Norwich
66
......
66
66
66
NAME OF HOUSE.
66
Fairlee.
Oxford....... .N. H Elm,
66
Vt. Montebello,
Pulaski Summer,
Sawyer,
Private,
66
66
.N. H. Exchange,
Vt. Trotter,
Private,
Post Mills........ Vt. Lake,
No. Thetford..
66 Closon,
66
66
66
Vt. Pond Cottage,
Waverly Hall,
....Vt. Eagle,
Private,
.N. H. Hillside Farm,
Vt. Private,
Norwich Hotel,
Prospect Hill,
Slack's Farm,
N. H. Private,
Dartmouth Hotel,
Private,
66
66
66
W. R. Junc.......Vt. Junction,
PROP. OR LANDLORD.
Mrs. Chas. Pope.
J. E. Wisener.
S. L. Eastman.
G. A. Sawyer.
H. W. Bailey, 2d.
E. H. Farnham.
E. B. Chamberlain.
Scott Fellows.
A. L. Fabyans.
J. M. Warden.
F. R. Chamberlain.
S. A. Morse.
J. H. Sawyer.
Geo. Spear.
O. D. Johnson.
B. M. Weld.
F. W. Farnham..
H. M. Miller.
Ethan Dimond.
Nathan Davis.
A. W. Jaquith.
Lucy B. Nichols.
W. S. Bowles.
John Dutton.
Chas. A. Slack.
Mrs. S. B. Balch.
John S. Williams.
Mrs. H. A. Sinclair.
66 E. J. Chase.
66
C. J. Poole.
F. A. Whitmore.
V. N. Spaulding.
No. OF ROOMS.
2
40
30
20
10
10
10
40
30
4
4
4
5
10
15
18
16
4
25
23
3
7
10
70
14
2
84
PRICE PER DAY.
$1.00
1.00
1.00
2.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
2.00
2.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.25
2.00
1.50
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.50
1.00
1.00
2.00
1.00
1.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
3.00
3.50
1.00
2.50
PRICE
PER
WEEK.
$5.00
5.00
12.00
4.00
7.00
6.00
8.00
5.00
8.00
5.00
8.00
5.00
8.00
7.00
10.00
5.00
10.00
4.00
8.00
4.00
6.00
4.00
6.00
4.00
8.00
6.00
7.00
10.00
4.00
8.00
5.00
4.00
4.00
5.00
5.00
8.00
4.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
10.00
5.00
6.00
8.00
14.00
6.00
12.00
5.00
8.00
12.00
8.00
13.00
5.00
10.00
15.00


32
A VACATION
That will combine HEALTH, REST and RECREATION, and that
shall include CITY, SEASHORE and SUBURB, with a
new attraction for every day.
BOSTON with its wealth of Historical Reminiscences, its thousand interesting attractions,
the delightful surrounding country, its hundreds of Health Resorts down the harbor, all
combine to afford the most Interesting, Attractive and Healthful Resort on the Continent.

DIODEWEWE
CHALETY
266 11
EEE IMA
00000
THBERT
PROSTELER RICHARDS
The United States Hotel Co.
THE LARGEST HOUSE IN BOSTON,
will this season open their entire establishment for Tourists and Pleasure Parties, and for
Ladies and Families who desire first-class headquarters, by the day or week, from which they
may make their daily excursions to the various points of interest and attraction with which
Boston abounds. The rates will be reduced for this purpose and special inducements offered
for making this a permanent abode for the summer season.
THE UNITED STATES HOTEL has long been famous as a great Family Hotel for residents
living in the vicinity of Boston to spend their winter season, and so offers during the summer
the most complete and extensive accommodations, on the most liberal terms.
Full particulars will be given, with maps, circulars, etc., on application, by post or
otherwise, to
TILLY HAYNES, Resident Proprietor,
UNITED STATES HOTEL.
BOSTON, MASS.






MONTREAL
The Great Scenic Route, via Lake Memphremagog,
-) BETWEEN (-
MONTREAL and the WEST
ASK FOR TICKETS VIA NEWPORT, VT. C
White Mountains, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Boston, Connecticut Valley and New York.
AND
AND
Sargent
Landing
Bargent's
Landing
ELEPHANTISS
Perkins
Landing
Lighton
Derpest
Revere
House
MAN
OWE HEAD
NTAIN HOUSE
Light Hou
Hotel
Light H
Jewett
BOSTON AIR LINE
MOECHOS
Matfield
Mechanicl
Whipple
ARCIS
from 8 to 16.0
Rocky Ledge
hart
Fight House
Alexander Molso
CAPE Gulley
INSERIS
er's Pay
mer Saldens
Sir
konywHogy
FEORGEVILLE
NEWPORT
Fitch-Bay
ETSTONE
CASBUMPRIC
Brida
ATABLE I
ATERE
land & P
ber's Pt
MAGOO
U.S. & Cammer L
EASSUMESTO G
LAKE
MEMPHREMAGOG.
WHITE MOUNTAINS,
CHICAGO OFFICE, -
OTTAWA AGENCY,
QUEBEC OFFICE,
MONTREAL OFFICE,
Crawford House,
205 La Salle Street,
Opposite Russell House.
Opposite St. Louis Hotel, -
202 St. James Street,
J. ANDERSON, Agent.
J. F. LEE.
257 Broadway, New York.
E. M. JENKINS, Tourist Agent,
BOSTON OFFICE,
WORLD TRAVEL COMPANY, 207 Broadway, New York.
NEW YORK AGENCIES:
240 Washington Street,
AGENC
THOMAS COOK & SON, Tourist Agents,
A. B. CHAFFEE, Jr., Ticket Agent.
R. M. STOCKING.
261 Broadway, New York.
W. RAYMOND, Agent.
BOSTON & LOWELL R.R., C. S. MELLEN, Supt.; LUOIUS TUTTLE, G. P. A.
PASSUMPSIC RAILROAD, H. E. POLSOM, Supt.; N, P. LOVERING, Jr., G. T. A.
CONNECTICUT RIVER R.R., J. MULLIGAN, Supt. ; E. C. WATSON, G. T. A.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY, T.A. MACKINNON, Gen. Manager.


304
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