Middletown transcript., 1868-01-04
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Vel t13tts&D&Ay NtfnR WV At&& " PfNNA''S
if / had been cropping my way through
dark and gloomy passage and entered a1
spacious saloon. In vain-did look around
for the habitation of man, or listen to catch
some familiar sound. The serene sky was
above rne, the Aplacid water, scarcely 'ripA1
/ pied by the passing breeze, below; while
the king-fsher sat perched upon dead
Ilmk Wstchmgs for itas prsyaS Prsfennds ST.
lence reigned, and solitude brooded over
| the scene. Not even hoot from the SOL
emn owl to break the .aVfpl sqpietness Of
| the place. The poet, Moore, visited this
lake and wrote ballad on the Lake Of the
Dismal swamp, r4u ,Y,-r vv,
| "where, all night long, by q FREELY lamp,
1 She paddles her white canoe"
\ I used to, hear, q tradition about the dis
fcovery of this fake, something as follows:
! A man named Drummond had committed a
crime for which he was sentenced to death.
| He made his escape and took refuge in this
| swamp, where be remained for some years,
1 when he again ventured into civilization,
4 and gave very mysterious account OF the
K wonders of this lake and its quiet waters.
On revealing its locality he was reprieved,
| About half way Nons the canal stands d
stone which marks the North Carolina and
Virginia line, which runs through this
swamp, IN years gone by, but in my re-
collection, a long building was erected
here, part of which was in each State. 1t
i was kept as house of accommodation for.
4 travellers, but was Gretna Green, and
the landlord was "A Jdstical of The Peace,
and duly authorized to solemnize the rites
! of natfimoHy, 81 Many tNeF and oft has
the hymeneal Knot been tied, and the twain
made one in thesNorth Carolina end of this
$ house, and the young and happy couple,
j after spending the night, returned, ladgh-
ing at the law that forbid the marriage of
ladies under certain age without the con-
al seuttof parents or guardians. The house
81 was recently burned, and rude hut now
occupies the spot. ,SkII DNidJI Y
a There is some arabic land and small
village at each end of the canal, and strange
: as it may seem, persons on its banks are
exempt from the diseases incident to this
: elimate-chills and fever and bilious fever.
b This isFthought to be attributable to the
1, water which they use, and which is obtain
$ edSffoni springs initheRwampg Il ETheMater
t is very highly colored, having much the
h appearance of being mixed With French
: brandy, and is strongly impregnated with
d theIroots Of the' juniper. The specific gra-
s vity of this water is much less than that
= elsewhere IT. Is mot UNPLEASANT 10 othe
d taste, and those who useit become fond of
T3 it. 1t is considered very Conducive to
1t health Indeed, some years since-and il
It may still be so=1iE &as used extensively by
d all naval vessels sailing from Norfolk on
" lonacrnisest 8 Fl wAsn0t only more healthy
b but kept purer than sRy other water, and
y for these reasons their supply was obtained
d at some trouble and expense from the Dis
e NAL Swamp. @''4'''"
1T haNe inst aeen it stated thai o. German
Z company or association have submitted I
ie proposition for the purchase from the Stat
lod Of North Carolina OF all the Dismal Swami
p these these lsids 4 Eai116ie, d1d 'J0me PORTION
rtJ Of them may possiblys by. drainage, be il
i'd time, brought into cultivation but ther
NJ is d sspdntAn Aneous iptoduGti6h df This k@am
9, which can be Immediately made availabl
De and pro6table,r and which sitaisrsomewha
or strange has not been taken advantage Of
g. tits the immense quantity of csarsaRarill
a and snake root growing in great profusio
IN everywhere. Some specimens of these va
ok uable produetions have been taken to MAJ
1T ken, and wefe ptdnouhced Uf very supefie
cyl duality. The proceeds of the sale of thes
nd lands have sialreadglbeeh appropriated b
e. the Legislature pf oNorths Caroline, to II
Va purposes of education.
ne .a1BnFsrF TETrS IrfTTr TTTfz7rss gTssi
De. Booth and the Lords Prayer.
M M In the palmy days Of Booth (the fath'
20 "a Of Edwip, Booth }, the great tragedian, t.
- dine by person who was opposed to the
~ ~ tres and theatre1 going, and yet who 2ha
ise curiosity enough to wish to- see iaomethir
lds " Of the lion of the day. During the eve
ess ing some one requested Booth, as a pa
IN ticular favor, to read the Lords Praye
lts He expressed his willingnesslto do SOL. al
rai all eyes turned expcctantly towards hir
10 Slowly and reverently he arose. ] All we
ny astonhhed at the play of emotions that CO
~. pie vulsed his countenance. His face bec4r
" tiph deathly pale, and his eyes, trembling
Ae turned upwards, wereiwet with tears. II
aF- silence could almost be felt; it became abs
"a lutely painful before his rich toned vol
i, /, from the death-hued lips, indescribab
lt ie9 syllabled forth, "Our Father who art !
!. ma heaven,n etc. Every heart was thrill
IN Is withtbe pathos and solemnity of the oes
eA- ~, sion. After he had finished the silen
ile' continued, Until sdbdded sob from /
ys- mote corner Of the room broke the spe
. s,'h The host stepped forward with streami
uo- ., eyes, and seizipg Booth by the hand, sa
rom .io,s Ca, Re-, f,sI 80
able III -, "a ~ 80 L. e., :.
but la-LooJ - a. go. .;,saI .I'o,,,.tI /
ter. 9SantoJ ~ Ti.Ss,a - k,.,fT ha
teen @ 49,. Laard IA Il hssara ,,aSe,.,, )" sy1tIS
sSr Booth replied: ''To read that prayer
pro. it should beread, has cost me the sever
. 81, !. study and labor for thirty years; and'I
aaei NJ: far from being yet satisfied with my rend