The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1863-09-01
(From the Cincinnati National UHion.)
Summer Life in the Country.


BRANCH HILL, August q, 1868.
| Mr.. EDITOR II need not tell you that it il
! pleasant at this season of the year, to escape
from the sultry din, dust d'turmoil of the city
to the cool qUet seclusiOnOf the country. And
| one so well acquainted as yourself, with the re.
giOn round about in the vicinity of Cincinnati, ]
scarcely need say that a more delightful spot in
which to Furalize for few weeks, could hardly
be found, than this from whence date nv letter
Here, the Little Miami winds la graceful
curves from LOveland to Camp Dennison, alter
mating with long reaches of beautiful pools OF
quiet water that mirrors in its placid breast the
OverhaRging forests that grow to its edge, and
murmuring shoals where the chrystal water rip
ples, rush and run over broad beds of gravel and
shells, OF leap in sparkling jets over Obstructng
powders.
The adjacent country is delightfully."- rolling
OF undulating, with broad and most level fields
on the upper surface Of the hills, intersDersed
with clumps of native forests, some of which are
open and clear of under growth, whilst others
have been permitted to grow into almost i'm
penetrable thickets
Branch Hill lies intermediate between Miami
vile and LOyeland, on the right Of the Miami
River and Railroad, as We ascend, and is par
TALLY embraced by a sweeping curve Of these,
It is distant from Cincinnati thirteen or four
teen miles by turnpike, and twenty or twenty
one by railroad
The tourist OF traveller, as he sweeps rapidly
around the base Of Branch Hill, in the swift
flight of the steam horse, viii catch through the
interstices of the forests, gHmpses on the one
hand, of the rushing rapids or the shady pools of
the river, or Ofthe broad fields, yellow vet with
the stubble of the golden harvest, or green with
the tall and graceful waving Indian corn, on the
other ornamental cottages perched iauntily and
airily the side, or brow Of the hill.
Here, reside, q number of intelligent and en-
terprising business men whose daily avOcatiOns
are in your city, but whose hearth-hOmes are
nestled snugly away in this delightful place.
From hence, having been early awakened
from refreshing sleep and pleasant dreams by
the Warbling Of a multitude Of sweet throated
birds, and having inhaled the pure invigOrating
air Of the hills and valleys, and at their own
family board with all their heart treasures gath
cred around them, partaken of a frugal repast
Of the richest, ripest and freshest Viands, of
fields, orchards, woods and rver,-milk new
from the COW, butter from the churn, fruit from
the tree, berries from the bush, and fish from
the stream, they descend by the train passing at
seven o'clock to your city, and mingle actively
and successfully in the great on rushing tide Of
business. In'the evening, daily or semi daily,
they shake off the dust and cares of the city and
on the four O'Clock, or six o'clock train, are
Whirled by the flying speed Of the steam horse,
with Aladdin-hke celerity, to the green ap-
prOaches Of tleir serene heaTt-hOmes.
Gathered again around the family board,
health and happiness beaming on every Gounte-
nance, the little incidents of the day are told
over, whilst the rich aroma Of the genuine Mocha
or the real Rio; or the fragrant Odor of the
pure BOhea or the Young HysOn, pervades the
air, and when the brimming cup takes its place at
the right hand; it lis rich with golden cream
no blue Skinned sWill-fed milk, but the rich
ambrOsia of the fields Of clover Then the
evenings are spent in neighbOrlY visits, social
chat and music, pleasant strOlls through the
shady copses, or rides, or drivesby the hill road,
or the river road, or by circles embracing both.
Retiring at a seasOnable hour, a quiet and re-
freshing sleep undisturbed by one of the thous-
and hububs Of the city, is their portion.
This is. life as I daily see it at Branch Hill,
and this is. only an imperfect picture Of what
may be fOnnd at thousand rural homes around
Cincinnati, where native intelligence, culture
and competence preside.
Such, we're the beautiful scenes. and happy
homes, blessed with over flowing -garuers, that
John Morgan and his guerrilas, saw every
where through this region, in their recent raid, /
strangely with the impoverished |
people, smoking ruins and desOlated hearths. 1
that their wicked rebellion has brought on their 1
own once happy and prOperOus people and
country. But they went in search of their |
rights and they are finding them
----- As ever, yours truly. ---
AUSTIN T. EARLE.