Middletown transcript., 1868-07-25
For the Niddleotcn Transcript,
MiddIetoyvn and Vicinity.

ltlon since his departure. len years ago
not single editice loomed its proportions
above Davis's Hotel, ON the southern side
of the main avenue bearing towards the
depot, and two solitary dilapidatcd struc-
lures alone, intercepted the view looking
from the central portion of the town, on
the northern side of the way in the same
direction, which presents now the most
important and ornate portion of the place
The brown shad-bellied coat of the old
impartial justice, and jolly face of the
portly postmaster, were as familiar to the
citizens as the mulberry trees of the side
walks, Or the bob-tailed terrier of the cor
ner merchant. Every man and woman
knew the name and position of each other,
and could tell when the young man who
oiled his locks with macassar looked sweet
at their neighbors daughter, what was the
name of SAILS baby, and how to concoct
catnip tea. There were girls and % VIM
men, then, Ono ladies,) and the farmers
about the place planted potatoes and killed
hogs in the moon, believed that the howl
Of dogs fore -tokened death, and measured
you readily for coffin, if you skipped
laud when seeding.
The same old faces were weekly seen in
the I" Methodist Meeting House" whose
members would have stood aghast at tie
name of Church, and the minister
(preacher) would have done penance for
fortnight had his foot touched painted
altar or carpetcd pews. Plain in dress,
abstemious in diet, with pommendable
pride, evidenced only in well blackcd
boots, and clean shaven faces, the distinc-
tive mark of pharisaical piety shone by
heightened countenance, and cadaverous
cheeks. They seduced preachers by fat
pot-pies and spring chickens, fitted split
goose-quills between shoe solee to hesrald
their approach, and proud indeed WAS the
lad who wore a swallow-tailed coat, or the
lass who sported long dress. Through
the dim lapse of time, these good old days
gleam as pageant on the stage of mem
ory, and viewing theinnovations of science
and mechanism, we stand wrapt in won
der at the painted visible structures move
ing onward across the stage of life. The
old folks when tired of the monotonous
life they led, slipped down to" Cantwells
Bridge" to look at the Appoquinimink,
that bore the commerce of the country for
miles around, and was then the only out
let to city marts. Odessa" stands in
lieu thereof, now, and the stream boils
in glee DER long holiday. Cantwclls
Bridge" was truly commercial village of
great note at that time, but "Odessa"
now usurps her place, and has waxed fat,
through weight of honors and years.
The lion and lamb slept together, and
we well remember how our old darlloy
class-leader was exercised after his morn
ing task was finished, really imagining
that the thews of his arms were the spokes
of his noighbor's Timber Wheels. Had
he have been an ambitious man mitre
would doubtless have adorned his crown,
and crook rested within his palm. Those
were the days of shouts and innocence, of
apple dumplings and pumpkin tarts
The hiss and groaning snort of the steam
horse was only read of, and his trumpet
neigh had not awoke the dormant energies
of the people, nor the laundering din of
his circular hoofs diilusod the news of his
twin brother, the Press, who unravelled
5he intricacies of intelligence for the mass
IS. News was CLEANED meagerly from
occasional visitors and consumption with |
lainty feet and seductive smile, trod daily |
,he muddy streets beside the young aud /
blooming, annually stealing two or more
rom our midst, and painting with her
lectio glow others for the banquet of death.
Citizens assumed the facts Of tradition. |
md complacently folding their arms in |
ancied superiority, compassionatod the
originators of new ideas and schemes.
The abhorrence of new things existed then,
% a greater extent, which now meanders
slightly through the veins of society, and
lhe &C fogies" of those days knew it was
not indicative of superior mind or mark
If generous spirit, to expose the, vaga-
lies of their sires.
One can scarcely credit the change
,he main avenues echo the tread of the
jame footsteps in tho evening, that press
he city paves of the morning. The
Spaniard, Moor and italian,
ostle each other in the crowd, and the
markets Of the town anticipate those of
he city. The ring of the anvil, the
'pchew" of the plane, and grating bite of
he saw are continuous, and the streets
with building materials, SO rapid
s the work of construction.
. Whose are the gilded tents that crowd the way,
Where all was waste and silent yesterday
This city---which 10 few short hours
Hath sprung up here as if the magic powers
)f Him, who in the twinkling of star
,uilt the high pillared halls of Chilminar"--
The commendable talent and intelli-
renee Of larger towns jealous of good in-
luences, and proud of their attainments,
lere can find rivals in indomitable will
md persistent energy. The caterer to
,ublic taste, emulation and uim of pro-
,ression is manifest, and the word con
yard," is craven on their escutcheon.
The tone of moral feeling and sentiment is
Ugh, public spirit more fully developed
han in other places Of like pretensions,
nd progression so marked, that men won
Ter, with shoulder at the wheel, at the
apid advance of the car of progress.
These thineg arc mt due to ,D,,narto1 |