Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-02-16
For the Chronicle.
Notes from a Rambler.

OF we got at Orangeville station. We
were about passing into the nearest door
in the depot, when we were politely in
formed that this was the ladies' room
and we might 20 into the next door,
where the gentlemen were. We went.
In passing in we stumbled over an otto
man while gazing at the splendid pOr-
traits and hand-bills which adorned said
room. We gazed until satisfied, and
then reposed our weary limbs on the
luXurient touches, such as are found
only in station palaces of Reuben Hitch
cocks railroad.
We were Dol informed that dinner
was ready at the Jones House. Order
ing a carriage we we're soon en- route to
the popular establishment. We were
received with great ceremony and cordi-
atty by u obliging landlord, and had
the satisfaction Of getting a good, square
meal. On looking over the hotel register
we were surprised on seeing the names
of u familiar friends, Horace Greedy,
Henry Ward Beecher, VIM. H. Seward,
Tom. Allen, Jim. Mace and George
Francis Train. We asked the landlord
mo dates being on the register) how long
since these gentlemen were here? He
informed us they had not been here at
all; u explained by saying that the
register was bought at an auction, sever
al years ago. Our curiosity was satisfied.
Ordering our team, W. started for the
coal mines, but unfortunately we were
arrested for trotting over b bridge. Of
course we made a plea from the baby
act, but his Highness, the Mayor, could
not see the act. Therefore, we came
down with the stamps and were let
lose. Abandoning our coal trip, we
thought we would stroll around town to
see the improvements. We wanted to
see Skaters mill, but we wers informed
by a reader of the CHRONICLE that said
mill was about . miles away in the
State of Pennsylvania, and the dam was
in Vernon. Consequently we abandoned
the idea of seeing the dam, mill, &c.
The old factory has disappeared entire
~, and i n its place stands a dilapidated
building only 25x5O feet large-I don't
think the building could have cost more
than $500 dollars. And then such side
walks nothing but oak plank. 1 didn't
see a single street that was paved, nor
even a street-car. We couldn't even
get a good drink at the drug store. TAX
ing the whole thing altogether, / think /
never saw a NOR Wretched town in my
life. We (Jim. and Il became so thor
Oughly disguised with the little one
horse town, that we decided to GO and
see the Metropolis, which is nothing less
than Hartford, Trumbull Co., Ohio.
We entered Hartford on the leading
street 1--WE don't remember the name).
We found a complete blockade, consist
ing Of omnibusses, street cars, draymen
&c.
We were finally compelled to put up
at the nearest house, where we put our
team and ordered supper for three, (Jim.
always eats two meals). We had choice
of turtle soup, fresh rabbits, woodchuck
pie or a dish of frogs. We told them we
would take frogs, as they were cheaper
on account of the prOdigiOus crop in that
city. Frogs were soon minus, and we
spent the evening at the Broadway thea
tire. The play entitled "Xenophon in a
Fix was produced in magnificent
style. The money was refunded in every
case of dissatisfaction; so We got our
evening entertainment for nothing. We
retired early in the evening, and slept IS
soundly as could be expected on the out
side of so many frogs.
The sun rose bright and clear, and We
were nearly deafened by the cry of news
boys, who came and went in countless
numbers, all clamOrous for a customer.
Having bought a daily, printed in Or
angeville by Jones, we threw ourselves
upon the sofa, beginning to read, when all
at once the gong sounded, and we partOok
of our daily dish-frogs.
After breakfast we resumed our read
ing, but noticed nothing particular ave
our trotting across the bridge, and a Sc
we're comment on the play we had seen
the night before. The editor concluded
by saying sit was a mystery to n
which was in the worst fix, Xenophon or
the audience" We think the audience.
Ordering our carriage, we started TO take
a drive around town. The landlord sug-
gested that WI take a guide along with
us as we might miss our way, and fail to
be back to dinner, or in other words for
get to pay our bill. So we procured a
guide for 10 cents per hour, and started
out.
We drove out on West street, and on
until our guide announced to US that We
were nearing woOdchuck bank. Our
curiosity was thus excited to the highest
pitch as we were soon to see an enormous
coal mine. We told the guide to walk
across all bridges. In a short space of
time we found ourselves at the wonder
fnl hole. Taking a good strong drink,
we prepared to go into the bowels of the
earth. The superintendent allowed US
TO go down in a boat, by clinging on the
outside, as a mule had the preference.
We soon landed on the bottom, and were
hurried through dismal darkness for
CAAA NANAGAAANGs SCCA "a A1 ~ q HAAAN
Of miners. We noticed a man writing
on 4 white board with a piece of coal.
We asked of the men who that was,
and he replied, saying, "Verily, that is
Xenophon! He crawled into this hole
about four weeks ago, and we cannot get
him out. He writes constantly, but his
sentences are so devoid of any meaning
that we can not make out n sense in
his literary productions. We keep a
strong guard over the man, as we fear an
out. break of literary talent which if
coming in contact with the gas in the
mines would be productive of a terrible
explosion We gave one long, linger-
ing glance at "Xenophon" and o the
car for daylight. "Saved at lastr' Y
claimed Jim, when nee more in the
carriage. We drove back to town in
great haste. We passed a man carrying
a satchel, which we should not have no.
ticed, had not the guide called our atten-
ton to him. "That man" said the guide,
sis Just returning home from Pittsburg.
He has been to buy his stock of spring
goods, and he always brings them home
in q satchel." ''Drive on" / shouted,
we want to pay our bill, and get into
the country a. soon s possible"
Our bill paid, We drove rapidly to the
station, which is situated in the enter
prising and wide-awake town of Burg
Hill. Taking the royal way-freight, We
were soon landed at Johnston's Summit,
where we are passing our leisure hours
with no one near to modest or make us
afraid. Hartford, Bunker Hill and