Connecticut western news., 1872-08-30

on the small stack of pies, cakes and sand- wiches in the hold, by q portion of the hungry crowd, who were so fortunate as to discover their presence there, and who were not long in entirely clearing the board, presenting. to those who had not made the early discovery, and who after their five o'clock breakfast and long ride, possessed appetites that would have relished a we'll cooked dog, an aspect by no means agreed ble; yet cup of coffee or tea on the deck his mouth, who looked cross enough to chaw nails, made the matter endurable until the good time coming when all could be fed. As we had started to say, after this skirmish among the pies-'n things, the party pro- ceeded to enjoy the sail down the river. Although hot on land, it was comparatively cool on the boat till toward the latter part of the trip, when old Sol seemed to get fair chance at us and warmed us in fine style. Altogether the sail was delightful, and Western Connecticut drank in very satisfect amount of comfort. Wonder, ahead, is the tug boat, puffing and wheez- ing away at the end of rope l50 feet to POO feet long, and smoothly we glide. with scarcely ripple to disturb the mirror-like waters. By the side of the man at the wheel, stands Mir. A. Moore, the judge, studying navigation, while about on the upper deck, sit groups of excurtors in vari- ous attitudes; below the quadrillc band are fiddling on their bugles and whistles, and the gay and festive ''eight hands around are
 "Turning about and wheeling about, and doing
 just so,
 An ebery time they turn about, they jump Jim
 Crow"
 As we do not stop at flag stations," we make no halt ut the short wharf with the barn looking building near and what is called Glastonbury landing. Here comes ''Susan," with four toots of her whistle, as salute of course, a mongrel sort of vessel, half or two-thirds masts and the rest coax ed along with steam, but on we go, the scenery being delightful, and all happy. Near the end of our trip down, the exten- sive brown stone Portland quarries heave in sight, and sight it is to behold. Acres and acres of beautiful blocks of free.stone are thickly arranged along the banks of the river. ready to be loaded on the continuous string of vessels at their numerous docks, and beyond on the hill in the distance is the stately asylum for the Insane. Here is Middletown, where we turn about and con- mence our home run. Middletown is some thing of place we should judge, yet but | little idea of it could be formed by the lim- 1 ited view of it from the river. It is plainly evident we are going up hill, or in other words, against the current, as our pace is wonderfully slackened. Oh, for donkey to hitch in front of that tug boat to snake it along There goes brig and she salutes us too the musical notes of an old. fog horn come ripping over the water, but the will for the deed is considered and the salute duly accepted. Now then comes the sensation of the day. If any are be- ginning to regard the ever changing scenes on the river as monotonous, that unwel- come sensation is dispelled the instant they hear Silvernail, the singist trill his dulcet notes. Speaking of singing, the prettiest feature of the entire trip, was the lady and gentleman sitting off one side of the boat quietly singing, apparently for their own amusement, and so quietly did they sing, that only those in their immediate vicinity could hear them. Snch accurate time and harmony, with their sub6ued tone, their voices blending like two drops of water when brought together and becoming one, reminded us of the charming music of a flute and cornet, whose tones are softened by @ distance over the water sufficient to make them but just heard. This, with their modest demeanor, won for them ou' admiration, however others who heard them may have regarded them. By skill full maneuver we ascertained their names tC be, Miss Herbert, of New York, and Mir Berry, of Bridgeport, but formerly of Shar on.-As we ascend the river we notice on the west side, a vast extent of country, which seems perfectly level, aud as far as the eye can reach not a fence is visible. What prairie is this ? One man cannot own as much of the state as this section takes in, and If so, what use is made of it. that no fences are necessary? Tell us, Oh, Judge; ye who have studied navigation on the raging Connecticut. There, off goes the band off, with one of their soul-cheer- tug marches, which merits and receives words of praise on all sides. We had occa' sion to speak of this Gilbert cornet band, when they were at the picnic at Lakeyille, and we have now to say that if there are any who do not think they played admira' bly, last Saturday, they are ordered to re- port forthwith to this office and we'll talk it up. After three cheers for Conductor Egleston for the successful management of the excursion, and which were heartily given, the boat landed and all were allowed an hour and half for tea, which was ob' tained at the various hotels and restaurants in Hartford. At twenty minutes to seven o'clock the train started for Millerton. Il was now increased in length by the addi ton of three cars, and which were all heavily loaded, as there were 2 large mum Der who should have gone on the regular train, and who were not members of the excursion party, but stayed to go on this train, ID order to have two hours more tc do their trading in the city. With one locomotive,-andth there was an oversight as there should have been two,-we moved slowly toward home, but soon increased tc better rate of speed, getting along very we'll till we got to Simsbury, where the grade is so heavy, that "a long pull and 6 strong pull" just brought us over the grade, but we could not make rapid time At Winsted a delay was necessary to let the