The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-03-05
Rcc0IIectiOns Offhe Olden Time.
NUMBER SEVEN.
To The Editors ofthe Agis d Inteliigencer

1-N'tVfs W
MEssRs. EDIToRs-When wrote my last
letter, land as stated at its close,) it was
fully my intention to close the series with re-
gard to the men and incidents of the past,
but as one after another of those who stood
in the foreground in the days ofmy boyhood
start up before ME as memory wanders back,
have concluded, even at the risk of tedious
prolixity, to impose upon you and your rea-
ders at least one more letter, and maybe
two.
Thus far, have brought upon the stage
but few of the ancient citizens of Hayre de
Grace, for the reason that was so young
when l left there, that most Of the men and
incidents with which / was familiar have
faded from memory. George Bartol, how
ever, the principal merchant of the place, and
who was the most enterprising and thrifty
man in it, stands out so plainly before me,
in every feature, that see him exactly as he
was fifty years ago. His store was near the
upper end of the village, and nearly oppo-
site the old hotel and ferryhouse. That store
was homaauaa gatheruna to use an old litter
alton, miscellaneous mess of multifarious
merchandise" His stock in trade comprised
almost any and everything that might be
called for, from second-handed pulpit down
to mouse trap Although there were sew
eral other stores in the place, all who wanted
to sell or buy seemed to congregate at Mr..
Bartol's, and hence his establishment was
always crowded with customers. Although
like most thorough business men, he was ex-
act and close in his dealings, he bestowed in
charity three times as much as would have
supported his own family, and still amassed
fortune. lie disseminated vast amount
of good in his day, and is doubtless now en-
joying, without alloy, the full fruition of a
well-spent life.
Speaking Of the hotel, reminds me of James
Wright, an amiable bachelor who kept the
house for some years. He was one of the
best and kindest landlords have ever known,
and it was great puzzle to me to understand
how, with no wife, no mother, no sister, no
nobody properly qualified to receive and en-
terrain lady guests, he made out to manage
his large and well patronized establishment
But he did ibid it acceptably-did lit ele-
gantly-did it to the fullest satisfaction of all
who called upon him.
A little farther up in the village was a fam
lily by the name of Wareham, but mt this
remote period have no distinct recollection
of any particular individual of the household,
but do remember that they were enterpris-
ing and thrifty men. Two Of the Suter boys,
one dark and stormy night, had been at Mr.
Warehams, and soon after they left for home,
which was about mile distant, like Tom
OShanter at Kirk Alloway, they saw an I'M
CO. sight" If not his Satanic Majesty, it was
some other monster equally as frightfnl, as
black as midnight and about the size of polar
bear. AS it rushed towards them with dis
tended jaws and fiery eye. balls, they didn't
wait to take dimensions or examine the ap-
partition very infinitely, but called upon their
legs to save them. They fled at the top of
their speed, jumped the well-curb in the yard
and dashed into the house, the monster grab
bling at them as the door closed upon him.
This circumstance produced much excite
ment at the time, and neither of those boys
were ever after known to be out at night
So much for the power of Imagination.
The Wareham family owned fishery at
Carpenters Point, on the opposite side and
at the mouth of the river. Once during The
fishing season, half the population OF la. re
de Grace was drawn to the shore to see a sea
serpent that was riding upon the crest of the
waves, in the direction of Carpenters Point
At first it was mere speck upon the water,
but as it approached it became larger and
more hideousy fearful in form Some fled as
1t neared the shore, but others, logically as