Litchfield enquirer., 1857-07-09
Gbe 4ittbfela Gllq!1wu
Litohdsld, Conn, Thursday, July g, 1857.
Editorial Correspondence Ne. ".
TIE RIDE CONCLUDED.

No one who has been detained at wayside Depot a mere wood and watering place for the engine, readily forgets the tediousness of the hours, which with aggrd tread dragged on, ere the whistle again announced the approaching train We were at the depot just in time to perceive the last car, as it swung round the curve of the r ad, After gazing moment at the point from which it disappeared, and wasting epthcts touching the internal character of the roads we dismouated and found stable for our horse This done, returned to view the place, if in it might be discovered single attractive object. Railroad depots, except fot the interest excited by assembled crowd of impatient mortals, all eager to go somewhere them st dsagreable 0 places, but this one seemed divested or everything human there it stood, long red building with two rooms divided by a little of6ce and bolstered up in the by big shed for wood pile For want of some better way to employ the time, we walked in- to the best apartment, the one labelled Ladies' Sa loon and gazed around ; there was a looking glass at one end. and jar of water and tin dpper ct the other, long settce and spittoon we then tered over and got look at ourself, in the glass; then out at the opposite door, along the platform and into the room. labelled Gentlemen's Saloon Here were few railroad and steamboat advertise ments, aud sundry placards announcing the short est way to the West. We looked at each of these, then walked out of the door and so back again to the place of starting. The prospect was not very encouraging. Not creature moving, four hours be- fore the next train and the ticket master gone home, first having very c,refally lock ed up the on y paper on the premises. We said there was not single creature moving-but were mistaken the old horse was at the tres ill and from the buzz ot the saw, and occasional tumbng down of the wood pile it was eviGen, that and Jerry were at the ending job of cutting up fodder for the ami mal Across the track was potatoe patch beyond that corn field, sloping from hillside at the foot of which we remembered to have seen a brook as we desc-nded to the depot. C..amle,ing the fence and crossing the corn field, we came into the shade of dusty hemlocks, imperceptibly ovcrshadowins a ruined mill Even at this distance the gurgle of the brook, which r:rplcd along the flo. m at last falling upon a broken wheel, was perceptible We hasened down the bank, lcaped the brook, and soon found seat on the crumLling steps which led into the damp and deserted mill room, now almost di- vested of it's floor Scattered about broken lies of an old carding machine, shattered drum, and few pullies. At our feet crowd of busy ants were plying their labor-the only objects of indus- try visible about the place.
 In this pleasant solitude were forgotten the dis appointment of the hour, and memory crowding in took seat beside us, calling back visions of old mills now deserted and silent like this and old friends whose shattered fortunes here we'll represented A little way down the stream, there was dark still pool, which, had we been supplied with rod and linc we certainly should have tried confident of quick sharp bite, for never was more perfect trout hole. As we sat gazing towards it. wondering if by any means there could be procured line and pole, there suddenly appeared above the bushes, on the edge of the very spot we were ob serving long rod which carefully dropped its line upon the surface, when with the quickness of flash it was seized and whisked away under a rock But behind the bushes was some one. whom it was evi. dent had seen trout before and in few minutes, amid fearful splashing, perceived noble fish held in tho current, the water pouring into his ex- tended mouth, which soon ended his troubles and permitted him to be drawn quietly tc the shore. prize, wound up his line, and seemed preparing to
 
 preached him he was a tall weather beaten person, and from his recuarity of dress and precise motions we were sure he was gruff old bachelor His black leghorn hat lay on the ground beside him. and stiff and wiry his closely shaved gray hair shot up like the bristlcs of brush. His pattaIoons were tucke.: into his stockings for he wore shoes and closely fitting dress coat bnttoned to his chin
 I've got a fine onc John - said he as he heard our step. " and hope it will taste good, but don't believe it will, his mouth $ ful of fever now" As he finished speaking, he turned his face upon IFS co. beg pardon,' he continued, but thought it was my brother John n fine day, sir
 "A fine one. sir, we replied "and fine trout you have thcre'
 Yes, pretty nice one, come pretty near two pounds reckon. It $ good stream for largo fish, but almost dread dropping line into the water i; every fish that bites reminding me of what s going on up at Johns house. Ah sir, the setting upon those old mill steps, and hooking trout in this stream has brought grist death Tn a roundabout way to Johns dwelling"
 We looked incredulous.
 "Ah, you don't understand me, perceive still it so and I'll tell you the story to ease my ,sind and here, if we had been acquainted all our lives he went on.
 Poor Harry Fansbaw that is dying at the house, was handsome, smart lad hereabouts six years ago, studying law, keeping school, catching trout. and making all the girls in the country fall in love with him and he half engaged himself to our will full little Kate before he had quite finished his studies And John, when he found it out told him he never could have her until he d made himself name and home. Parson Williams brought these words back to John bitterly enough last night heard him speaking to him. tAh, said he, MT. MiTspaugh, Harry has made name for you, but it s written in the Lambs book of life and a homie, but where there arc many mansions 7"
 Here the tears stole over the old sportsnans cheek, and with faltering voice he begged us to excuse him. Just then pleasant farm house amid n of ma