The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-09-21
Letter From Steuben County, New York.
NO. /.

August goth, 1872.
DEAR WHIG:-Several weeks have elaps-
ed since we left the sunny slopes of dear
old Cecil to sojourn among the green robed
mountains and by the crystal lakes of Wes-
tern New York.
Every Saturday has brought copy of
the well known sheet to our hands carrying
us back to the quaint little town that mes
ties so quietly and snugly on the lap of
what the people here would designate
"baby hills
1t was sultry afternoon, when the Dog
Days had been unusually fierce in demon
strating their powers, that we left Elkton
to seek the cooler regions Of the Empire
State. Passing through Pennsylvania,
York was the first town of Importance on
the Northern Central Railroad. We could
see nothing from the windows but machine
shops with dislocated wheels lying around
in charming (?) negligence. 1t is said to
be a very pretty town though, and it is not
consistent for citizen of Elkton to be sar-
castle on the subject of town views from
depots. However, that place has assumed
quite jaunty air since the new Jail was
erected near the path of the Pegasus of
modern days.
About half way between York and Har-
risburg we strike the Susquehanna, which
has familiar look 20 our eyes as we had
crossed the famous bridge thrown over it
at Havre de Grace. The scenery above
Williamsport is very rugged and grand
replendent with beauties that not only daz-
the eye, but speak to the finer feelings of
the heart. Scanned and SCARED rocks, dat
ing back to the Glacial Period in geologi-
cal history, are lying on every side, whilst
lofty peaks crowned with the eternal YER
dure of the evergreen, rear their heads far
above us seeming to grasp the tieecy Gu
null in their green fingered arms. We
might call them Goods Sentinels, " stand
ing apart and watching with untiring faith
fulness the sun kissed wales beneath them.
Above Sunbury eve part company with
the Susquehanna, it to wind its meander-
ing way to Chesapeake bay. and we to
bonpd onward to the genial cline of New
York"
Racing along over hill and dale at the
rate of 80 miles an hour, with different
views of nature framed by the beautiful
gliding of the palace car window every sue
ceedinr moment we were reminded of the
Poets words.
"When will the landscape tire the view.
The fountain 5 fall, the rivers flow,
The woody valleys, warm and low;
The windy summit wild and high,
Roughly rushing on the sky;
The pleasant seat, the ruined tower,
The naked rock, the shady bower;
The town and village, dome and farm
Each gives each double charm.
The train dashed on, in AMI out the hills
in most eccentric and apparently danger
Gus manner. BY this tortuols route. we
crossed the celebrated - l4unt Rum nine
teen times. Its waters are as clear and
parking as cut diamonds; but we passed
over the stream too rapidly to detect even
4 single trout in the pellucid depths.
The train halted for a few minutes at
Ninnequa Springs. The verandahs of the
one large hotel, were crowded with fash
ional,ly dressed people, and grouped near
the Office door stood clique of white
aproned eJony walters gossiping with many
a prolonged yah. yah!
Some of the famous spring water was
carried around in buckets, with bright tin
dippcrs tinkling on their rims; but we
noticed that few availed themselves of the
privilege to partake. Ralston, farther up
in the mountains, seemed in the borders of
civilization, for here the scenery grew wild
er and the habitations of men became al
most as rare as gold-dust in a coal mine
Here and there we would see an old hip
roof house, quantity settling its ungainly
figure IN sunny slope-but the glowing
marigolds in the front yard and the wood
bine hiding 4 broken stone wall showed
that these rude inhabitants of the wilder
ness have some sentiment in their souls
Our winged horse steamed rapidly along
until we had seen the sun CLEAN on the
hills of the keystone State. for the last time
in some weeks.
At Elmira, one Of the most charming
cities of South Western New York, we
stopped for an hour to intercept the Erie
train on it's western course. A drive through
he environs showed us many beautiful
mansions. The Female College is huge
building of brick and has prison-like air
about the dark walls, pierced with countless
windows. that is not altogether pleasing.
The Iron Rolling Mills here are very large,
md the vast chimneys belcling forth lurid
thames and dark volumes of smoke had a
weird effect that reminded one of the in
Plantations of the witches in Macbath.
! Resuming our arm chairs in the Palace
Ear. we dashed on through the gathering
Gloom to Owning. Changing cars here
ne ride on twenty miles farther, and reach
,ur destination-Bat
This lonely town of three thousand in
,abitants is situated in a charming valley,
completely surrounded by chain of hills
ormountans as Eastern Marylanders would
Ieall them. When first settled Il city was
anticipated: but Rochester seventy miles
,'arther north, with its superior noted pow
ar defrauded Bath of such a brilliant
,ruture We do not think that they ought
10 be very much disappointed, for the. town
$ little Eden of beauty and the projected
i.ity would probably have been busy, bust
ing place; its streets filled with tide OF
ostling humanity, racing along over every