Middletown transcript., 1869-04-03
Letter frona Odessa.
Correspondence Of The Midals.opn Transcripts.
ODESSA, April. LIST, 1869.

ODESSA, April. LIST, 1869.
DEAR EpIToR Since last we wrote
you, winter with his iron grasp has given
way to the mild sway Of spring, the earth
has doffed its snowy mantle, and now
blooms in its vernal robe; the hardy feath
cred tribes have flown to their far-off
homes, and the merry songsters, returning
from their wintry flights, again greet our
ears with sweet songs. But say what we
will there is something sad in the scenes
connected with the early months of Spring,
though the earth is loosened from its fros-
ty moorings by the warm rays of the sun,
and the joyous and propitious winds Of
spring, yet we see around us the changing
Of homes, others sitting around hearths
that were but lately occupied by circles
dear, new faces appearing in our midst,
and those that were familiar gone, and
some dear to US taking their departure to
the "pale realms of shade," leaving us in
sorrow to mourn their absence. Yes,
spring with it too brings sad vicissitudes.
Our town during March has experienced
its due portion of changes. There seemed
to be general turn around among those
that chad no fixed and settled abodes."
There has been some moving, too, among
our merchants. Mr.. Chas. Stratton has
taken the store occupied formerly by Mes
srs. Vandyke & Matthews; and they in
turn occupy the one lately tcnanted by Mr..
Wilson Walker. The latter store rooms
are und dsrgoing thorough repair, and will
no dout add greatly to the appearance as
we'll as the convenience of that stand
There is to be a new store opened now
shortly in the upper part Of Main St.
The protracted meeting, held for more
than two months past, has closed, and the
result was far beyond the expectations of
the pastor and members. Men have been
added to the church that previous to the
meeting seemed to care but little about
spiritual affairs, even did not attend any
church. Whole families, before estranged
from God, are united in one common bond
of christian fellowship. Such results not
only strengthens the church, and secures
the greatest good individually, but exerts
glorious and beneficial influence upon So
ciety.
In music our town is not behind our
sisters. In addition to the SAKE Horn
Brass Band, organized years ago, and
brought to degree of perfection by prac-
tice, there is string band lately formed and
which bids fair in time to add greatly to
the advancement Of that delightful branch
of science.
The contest for prize, offered by the
teacher of Maple Grove Academy to the one
who excelled in defamation, came off few
days ago. The prize was awarded, by
committee who sat us judges, to WILLIAM
N. Hamilton. There were nine contest
ants, and the committee expressed them
selves as highly pleased with the recita-
tions of each of them, though some of them
were quite small. The scholastic year of
this institution closes on the Cd inst.
The Building and Loan Association of
Odessa is now fairly under way, the mon
ey at the first meeting bringing the hand
some premium of 30 per cent.
We trust and believe this Association
will have tendency to build up our town
and induce emigration among us.
Trade among us is beginning to look up
and the merchants are doing fair bust
ness, Notwithstanding monetary affairs are
SO tight. We cannot boast of the great
and fiourishing trade that is possibly car
ried on in some of our neighboring towns,
but we hope in time, by connecting with our
water communication to large cities, that
of railroad, to vie with them in busi-
ness capacity. We have beautiful town,
and internal conveniences to carry forward
extensively all the branches of industry.
Respectfully, &c. LUoIUs.