Middletown transcript., 1870-05-28
0rTespondence Of the Mddletopn Transcript.
LETTER FROM SMYRNA.
SMYRNA. Nav 25th' 1870

CMfhNA, May 10Th, 1917.
Mr.. EDIToR Now that we have had
such refreshing shower of rain, it seems
possible to sit down comfortably and COL
lect ones thoughts. How new and clean
all vegetation looks in it's spring attire of
delicate green, fecked here and there with
lovely flowers The dust is all gone. the
pavements look clean and bright, and this
line day has sent many out into the streets
for fresh air and recreation.
Business seems pretty lively here at
present. Merchants were all busy selling
on Saturday. Cannot say whether cash
sales or 'peach sales" The chief tonic
in business circles is ''peaches," and MANY
are expecting to reap a golden harvest
from the luscious, blushing G fruit. The
manufacture of baskets for shipping
peaches is becoming quite popular here
There are three firms who are or will
shortly be engaged in it. They will EN-.
plooy number of men and boys who arc
paid from p to 81 cents per basket. Ex-
perienced hands can make from SO to so
per day
In your last issue you state that YOU
intend having an Old Folks Concert If
yours succeeds as we'll as ours you will be
repaid. 1t was decidedly one of the best
entertainments of the kind. There were
twenty performers who were dressed in
the costumes of century or less ago, and
so complete was the disguise that it was
difficult to. recognise the faces of friends
under powdered hair, high caps and spec
tacles. The music was very fine, con-
sisting of quartettes, duettes, solos and
chorusses. They entertained the audience
about two hours, and the unbounded ap-
plause evinced great delight.
The next thing on the tapis is a straw
berry festivarfor the benefit of the Library.
This will be pleasant as we'll as a profit
able affair; for the ladies of this town
know how to make festivals success.
The spirit of Improvement must be
asleep, OF dreaming, as ! see no build
lngs in progress at present Perhaps she
has left town for the summer; having had
such brilliant career few months ago
1t may be that she is resting at the
"Plains," large farm, six miles from
Greensboro, owned by Mrs. Bourne, of
Boston. This lady is said to be worth
several millions, and is spending some of
her income by erecting handsome and
costly buildings on this her maiden proper
ty. Having been there a few weeks ago
will give you a short description of the
place.
The land well deserves the name of
Plains, for it is very level Near the GEN.
tire of the farm the buildings are located,
and consist of mansion with front, 85 #
by 30 ft. depth; and a wing As by 21 #,
1t contains q rooms, . large halls, 2
stairways and has beautiful porches back
and front, above and below, and cost S26.-
o0O. A few yards back of this stands the
oversecr's house. 1t is nearly square, be-
ing 54 by 6S #. contains ID rooms. a large
hall IL feet wide, 2 stair-wavs and porcb-
es above and below, cost So, 900. These
houses are frame, built of wood carefully
selected so as to have few or no knots
The floors and weather-boarding are both
double. Every part is built in the most
substantial manner of the best materials.
Beside these two, there is a gardeners cot
tage, two cottages for hands, wash house
Ice e-house and dairy, making in all quite
hamlet. She has also erected large
barn and stables 45 by S4 feet, cribs and
granary 40 by "a feet, sheep-house 90 by
IL l6 feet, and cow stable 100 by 40 feet
The whole will cost about $4,000. It is
supposed there are not such buildings as
these on this peninsula.
Mrs Bourne is now travelling in Eu-
rope. She has several daughters married
10 princes IN Germany and France and is
visiting them She has adopted grand
son, to whom Git is supposed, } she will
leave the bulk of her property.
L would like to describe the Plains"
in detail but want of time forbids.
Your hall festival is in progress tonight,
and I've no doubt the berries and cream
are tempting many well filled wallet.
May you have abundant success is the
sincere wish of your CORRESPONDENT.