Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-10-21
Western Correspondence.
AIINNEApoLIs. Oct. Q. |


appointment. went To the ticket agent
of the Pennsylvania Central X. K, and
inquired ut what time | should arrive in
Minneapolis. starting from Boston Mon
day, and stopping day each in New
York and Chicago. Was informed that
I should reach there at $50 l.. NJ, Fri
day. | then bought Il ticket four inches
long. with half as many feet of coupons
attached, and went home. On consulting
Appleton's, found according to IL, ] arriv-
ed at 6 o'clock p NJ. 1t eventually hap
pened that the train "split the difference
and got there at n little past seven. Went
to New York on the Bristol. | will make
no attempt to describe this floating palace.
for my pen could not do it justico. Found
friends in n. Y, and was soon viewing
such delightful places, rs houses where
horrible murders had been committed,
squares where riots had ragged, trees on
which negroes had been hung, llecnan's
Gambling Saloon and Five Points. We
also went into the "Gold ROOM" whore
VIC saw so many unhealthy looking pills"
that we at first took il for a homeopathic
drug store Here we were witnesses 10
the following scene Enter pale and
cmaciated young man with faltering
steps; rs he nears the entrance to the
Ring" his step becomes elastic, n health.
iul color settles on his face, and he final
" bounds inside, shreking like maniac,
Ten and sovon-eighths y" After enjoy
ing this peaceful scene, wo walked toward
Trinity Church. On the way We filled
our pockets with fruit, and once there,
VIC begun the ascent. (Thc usual New
York price for cvcrything-two Tor
quarcr--paid the admission.) We as
ccudcd steadily FOR half an hour, at the
end of which time, we found ourselves
a, the upper landing. There was no
visitors book at the entrance; there was
no need of that. Everybody has tho
privilege OF inscribing his name on tho
walls of the steeplc; and from appear
ances should Judge they took advan
tagc of that privilege. We went into
the usual ecstasies over the scenery
house tops, muddy streets, &c. espcc
tally. being very near-sightcd. We de
scended much faster than we vent up
satisfied that we had received our moneys
worth-oi travel
Finding ourselves in proper condition
for lunch, we were in n few minutes in
side fashionable restaurant, elegantly
fitted mp with darkies, &c, watin. hall
an hour for beeisteak After here re
calling ourselves, we entered horse car
and rode TO Central Park. On the way
from the car TO the principal entrance,
VIC were nccosted by several Ilibernians
who would "tak yes round the Par-r-rk"
for what they could get-provided they
could get enough. We passed them, and
soon found team TO our liking The
Park was perfect. being artificial, yet
strictly true 10 Nature, The drive would
run along the side of lake, on which
swans were indolently floating, then
suddenly turn into the midst o: wild,
miniature forest. from which it emerged
by the side of II steep bluff. | little fur.
Their, was the Mineral Spring. the rock.
on either side, and the spring itself, half
hidden by crimson woodbine Then the
aqucduct as far as one could see. Il
vast sh eet OF water, without ripple dis.
turbing its calm SUI face.
A few minutes ride brought MS in sight
OF the Mt. st. Vincent House, beautiful
building in which visitors are served with
refreshments. Near by, a camel was
drawing turf-cu,ting machine. The
whole park was dotted with rustic bridg
es, arbors and shaded seats. The drive
was eight and halfmiles long, and took
US an hour and half; at the end ot
which time. we alighted, bearing with us
most pleasant remembrances OF Central
Park.
We could not tear ourselves away with,
out visiting The Arsenal, n fine old build.
ing, containing menagcrie equal to
Van Amburgh's, and small museum.
At I O'Clock p NJ, went on board
the ferry boat for Jersey City, where |
bought berth to Chicago, on Pullman
sleeping car. The scenery, going over
the Allegheny Mts., was sublime. At
Horse Shoe Bend we went up the side OF
a mountain; below us We could see a
great valley, the huge trees looking like
dminutive bushes.
At Pittsburg, | cut piece OF smoke,
which keep rs souvenir. On the road
from Pittsburg. might now and then be
seen 'squatter's" hut, through whose
door Pat" sat with his wife, half dozen
children, as many pigs, and few skele-
ton hens; while outside was planted the
never absent 'pratie" patch.
Il would puzzle sage" to find on the
outskirts of Chicago, house OF more
than one.story. The garden products are
cobbageS. The inhabitants SUBJ
sist on Bologna sausage and sour.krout.
| went to the Sherman House in the city,
and from there out to try and lose my.
self. which l soon succeeded in doing
After passing through the Canal Tunnel,
| went to Union Park, waded through the
gravel and sand in the path little dis
lance, and sat down under shade tree,