reason for requiring a horse and wagon lay in the little trunk, which,
as it contained the painting box of our Elsie, who thought the lake and
vicinity might offer some picturesque studies, could not possibly be
left behind. After tea, a walk was taken, and the vicinage of New Paltz
duly inspected. The Wallkill, here a quiet stream, runs through rich,
green meadows, bordered by the noble range of the Catskills and the
singular, broken ridges of the Shawangunk. The sun set clear, casting
pale gold streams of light over the meadows, and leaving a long,
lingering, rosy twilight. The young art-student drank in beauty with
every breath. The cows were driven home; the ducks came slowly up out of
the stream, and all the winged creatures went to roost. Night came, and
repose was welcome after the pleasures and fatigues of the day's
journey.

At eight the following morning, a steady black pony, with a light open
wagon, appeared at the door; and by ten o'clock the travellers reached
the mountain top. Their steed showed marvellous endurance in the way of
slow pacing down steep hills, which they afterward found had been
acquired in leading sad trains of mourners to the modest graveyards,
wherein rest the earthly remains of the peaceful dwellers in this
pastoral vale. The first four or five miles of road were excellent, but
the last one or two so rough and stony, that they were quite willing to
walk. On top of the mountain stands a little inn, commanding a
magnificent view in several directions. As they neared the end of their
journey, they rejoiced to see a white house gleaming through the trees,
and promising food and shelter. The sound of coming wheels brought out
the land-lady, who gave the travellers a hearty welcome, and assured
them of her ability to harbor them for the night. The end was
accomplished--the goal reached! And what a goal! Nowhere among all the
beautiful scenery in the Middle and Eastern States is there a spot more
characteristic and interesting than Paltz Point, and the lake that lies
under its shadow--that lake, whose name was a mystery, even to the
inmates of the house built upon its brink. Its waters are clear, and of
a deep green hue; its depth is said to be great, and its rocky shores
rise in perpendicular cliffs of from ten to two hundred feet. The
highest point stands three or four hundred feet above the surface of the
water; but in that part the cliffs are no longer perpendicular. The
length of the lak