MOUNTAIN-TOP AND VALLEY 



NoTHTNG heightens appreciation hke a contrast. 

 After a week at the summit of Mount "Washing- 

 ton, where we lived in the clouds and above 

 them, in a world above the world, we returned 

 to the lowlands. The afternoon was sultry, and 

 before the descent was half accomplished — - by 

 the train — we wished ourselves back again on 

 the heights. How can men live in such an at- 

 mosphere, we asked each other ; so stifling, so 

 depressing, so wanting in aU the elements of vi- 

 tality. Our condition seemed Hke that of fishes 

 out of water, and we began to think of angling 

 as a cruel sport. It grieved us to see the trees 

 growing taller. Even the laughing young Am- 

 monoosuc was looked upon with indifference. " I 

 wish I were back," said one ; and the other re- 

 sponded, « So do I." 



At Fabyan's the crowd surged about us like a 

 sea. Baggage must be found and checked, our 

 train was waiting, and the baggage-master, true 

 railway "official" that he was, was not to be 

 hastened. His steps were all taken by rule, and 

 every movement of his hands was set to slow 



