The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-03-02
For the Day Book.
A DISGUISED BALTIMOREAN
Baltimore, March l. 1866.

baltimore, March i, 1866.
Mr.. EDITOR: l wish to vent my indignation
on your villainous roads leading from the
beautiful city of Norfolk to the surrounding
sections. Let me give you a history of the
trials and tribulations, aud The outrageous ex-
pense, which fell to my l":. left Baltimore
February Goth, and arrived in Norfolk ON the
9th, with my wife and child. We took lodg-
ings at the National. After break fast. | called
on my friend Col. Smashloe leading mer-
chant and entcrprisiug man, to inquire if there
was any chance to invest in that section
wherein / could compound my capital i'll
short time Col Smashtoe offered me farm
of 400 acres at low figure, situated lour miles
from town. Not wishing to buy pig an The
Bag" proceeded to Huyck & Vsazy's, where
procured a magnificent turnout that would
have done credit to New York or Boston, and
headed for Princess Anne road. Arrived safely
at James Corner" and thence plunged into
the mud with desperate determination, and
with the hope that matters would mend. We
had proceeded about mile when the buggy
gave sudden urch, and my wife was prec
plated violently to the left, aud coming III.
contact with the buggy top smashed her $50
bonnet into a mass OF undiStinguistable MIL
lnery. At the same time, the lava earring
was violently jerked from her left ear and fell
out OF the vehicle into the mud and was lost.
The buggy was soon righted, but, at the
same time, pint-and-a-halt OF mud was de-
posted II the neck and face of my child my
patience being sorely tried, am afraid that L
must confess l was loosing my temper. Ger
tain it is that l hit the horse with the whip,
when he plunged violently forward at the
rate of four miles an hour, the fluid mucd
radia,ing from the wheels, not unlike the
water from the whlrligis on top OF the ioiin-
tain in the Central Park. We were proceed
lug favoraby, when the right fore-whee struck
hole four feet deep, but filled with iiuld mud,
this precipltated my child violently against
the dashboard and produced prouse hem
oraee from her nose, and a serious confusion
Ga the forehead, my hat at the same time be-
ing feartully crushed Loosing all seli-com-
mand, hit the horse again, and be rushed
forward at the rate Of tive-and-a- laIt nit-s
all hour, for forty rods, When the axle broke,
and all three OF US were buried into tie tnui.
spelling my wite's new poplD Dress and eli
tlrely ruling a new suit OF secesh grey, which
had purchased at great cost, to impress the
Virginans with my strong Southern feelings
although between us, hir Editor / all
member OF the Baltimore Union League, but
OF this, say Lothlng.
! hired Il wood cart to bring lis back to the
hotel, and sent for the gentlenanly proprietors
Of the livery stable, who, after | had related
my adventures, refused to receive Il cert for
the use OF their horse and buggy, uor would
they permit me to pay for damages.
The Collector Of tie Post, the Postmaster
and the Vice President of the Board of Trade,
having heard Of my daring adventure and
reckless undertaking, called Immediately at
the National Hotel, and urged me not to
mention what had occurred rs it mghtuot inn
prove the prospects of the city, at the same
time assuring lne that there was no doubt
Norfolk would soon rival New York and
Philadelphia, The Postmaster seeing my
indignation, asked me if did not suffer with
dyspepsia; in fact, he was positive that was
confirmed dyspeptic and urged tree Use
Of Rogers or Daniels whiskey which he
insisted was a sovereign remedy. was again
urged by these officials to keep silent III re-
gard to the officiating roads from Norfolk,
and not to mention what had heard about
young lad VINO had lost his life iii trying to
cross the Princess Anne road, short time
previous to my arrival; and offered, i'll consid-
Grafton, that should be provided with free
ticket back to Baltimore, and should be invi-
ted to return and enjoy the bospltaities of the
city when the opening ceremonies OF the
Great Shell road should take place. iudlg-
uantly refused to be bong hit OIL. AS to Col.
SIN ashtoe, he never came near me, but sent
his Niger to say that he knew my life was
insured aud he didn't care damn,
Yours Truly
JOHN BARIHALOW.
| T.. S.-Professor Smith, has succeeded in
removing the mud from the stomach Of my
child by emetics, but that in her left ear
seems greatly compacted; however, the Pro-
tessor hopes to displace it III course Of time.
j. B.
The statement OF the public debt for the