The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-11-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
Written for tho Times,

Our Trip East.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 4th, 1859.
Dear COl:-Taking berth in sleeping
car we left Pittsburg, under the charge Of
that prince Of conductors, Major Boley,
who, by the way, is one of the most popu-
lar men in the State,--in fact, so much is he
liked, and SO well and favorably is he known,
that was told many ladies prefer to wait
over one day in order that they may be
under his care. The Pennsylvania Central
Railroad is decidedly one of the best man.
aged roads in the country. The General
Superintendent, Mr.. Scott, is a first rate
manager and thoroughly competent for the
position which he holds, while his assistants
are all gentlemen of large experience and
fully prepared for the duties devolving upon
them. The Central Road moves through a
region Of country which is rapidly filling
up, and although it now does an immense
business (as I intimated in my last letter.,
yet, in few years, it must be largely IN
creased. The scenery along the line is very
beautiful,-in many places, really charm
ing. The road is smooth, and the cars easy
and capacious-in fact, taking this route all
in all, am constrained to say that it is by
all odds the pleasantcst, as it will ere long
become the most popular, of any of the
Eastern routes. Comfort and case are cared
for, more than an attempt to make great
show.
At Harrisburg, we stopped half an hour,
and availed myself of the opportunity to
take short walk, getting BY it breath of
fresh air, and bird's-eye view of the cap
ital of this great Commonwealth did not
notice anything very attractive about it
the buildings look old and dingy, and not
at all what had anticipated seeing; how
ever, we had time to smoke cigar, and the
fragrance Of the weed so beguiled US that
We stepped on the train and glidcd away,
feeling really very glad that our eyes had
looked upon the seat of so much wisdom
In few hours We reached Philadelphia, the
"City of Brothcrly Love-" and found our
selves in that pile Of bricks and stone yclept
the "Girard House." The city is very qui.t,
business seems to be dull, and we hear nu-
mcrous complaints from the retailers as to
the state of trade, while the money brokers
with whom we have conversed, say Money
is very scarce" but there is always more
or less stir here; there is q class Of people
who are staid and sober, never getting ex-
cited or going into any Of the speculations
of the day, acting as sort of balancc-wheel
to the community, and this class keep on
in the even tenor Of their way, always doing
more or less business. There is large
amount of building going on; we noticed,
particularly, on Chestnut and Ninth streets
splendid building designed for hotel, to be
called the continental )" its capacity will
be enormous-aboutt three times that of the
Girard, which is frst-class as we'll in size
as in everything else. Horse Railroads are
u permanent institution in Philadelphia,
they now run through almost every street,
and are paying largely; it has become sort
Of mania, and when the books are opened
for new road, crowds Of applicants beseige
the doors, waiting their turn to get few
shares of stock.
Speaking of stock, may whisper conf
dentially to you that CAMERON stands very
high here as candidate of the Republicans
for the Presidency. Supposing 'Simon"
was to "say up" it would make some Of our
rabid men feel very sick.
The Harper's Ferry emuets is creating a
great excitement amongst all classes; it is
yet the constant subject of conversation
wherever you may b.. I have heard so
much of it, it has disgusted me.
TO turn the subject,-the Noon Prayer
Meetings, which have now been established
over two years, are still largely attended; !;
in fact, they increase rather than diminish.
They are conducted mostly by laymen, and
have been the instrument of much good
But must close. You shall here of my
homeward trip, when l get ''Home" Till
then, Yours, ASHES.