The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-09-21

| obstacle to reach the goal of wealth.
happiness whose fruit fails to satisfy for
" neD possessions gipe birth to neao DESIRES"
Being the county town it is enlivened
once year by "The Fair" which will he
noticed in future letter. The town is of
considerable business Importance, as it is
the centre of quite densely populated
county and only eight miles from the grape
regions of Kewka or Crooked Lake. A
large part of the fruit of these vineyards is
brought to Bath to be shipped by rail to
New York and other cities.
The town contains two large squares or
"parks y as they call them here, although
they are too small for so dignifed name.
They are kept beautifully clean and fresh,
and as we watched the children playing
under the shade of the trees, we thought
that if Elkton had such a pleasant resort
the many bar-rooms might lose few of
their customers and the little urchins who
now play so fearlessly under every horses
heels, be kept out of danger. Looking at
the roomy public buildings, we almost
envied for Elkton's sake the handsome
new Court House and elegant banks. All
the stores are situated in one part Of very
broad street, and as general thing are
three stories high. Some of them remind
us of our one handsome Z" Glass 'front.'"
only they are all built of stone, iron or
brick as the Fire Limit Lam forbids the
use of wood for building purposes, in the
business part of the town. The " Haver-
ling Union School " is a handsome build
ing of brick with brown stone trimmings,
fronting one of the squares. few days
since we went through it and found the
interior very inviting. The number of
pupils ranges between five and six hun
bred according to the season. Where the
walls are not adorned with maps, original
drawings and bright little chromos hang
inexpensive in themselves but affordins
untold pleasure. We have often pitied the
poor youngsters of county school houses
sitting in back breaking benches who have
nothing to amuse them when their lessons
are duly conned, but to watch the flies buzz
zng on the dusty windows panes, and give
the smeared walls another blotch of ink.
Here everything is arranged Systematically
and with due regard to comfort, from the
rooms containing A B G scholars sitting
behind little low desks, to the larger class
rooms for advanced pupils.
The Episcopal Church is marvel of
architectural beauty and skill. 1t is built
of dark blush stone resembling Maryland
limestone. 1t is very elegant finished both
within and without. A few days since we
attended an evening service held there at
sunset. AS the mellow light streamed in
through the numerous stained windows
lighting up the priests white robes, and
inspiring melodies from the deep toned
organ quivered on the air we thought of
some of the old European cathedrals that
Lagler's pen so graphically describes
though of course tine former would be only
a bright little epitome Of the latter.
Near the town is delightful little sheet
of water called "Little Lake" The high
hills so completely surround it, that it re-
sembles diamond in an emerald setting.
A day or two since small party of as
started thither for walk, although it was
one of the coolest days of the recent cool
spell with the thermometer twelve degrees
above the freezing point. Reaching the
borders of the lake we appropriated the
two boats that are used by party of young
gentleman of the town, and rowing to the
middle of the lake commenced to fish. One
of the party happened to have some hooks
and another some Irvine. We hauled in
about eighteen bright little "pumpkin
heads and as many perch in less than ten
minutes. Whilst drawing them in with
many laugh and jest the wind suddenly
rose and ruffled the surface Of the lake into
some very respectable foam capped waves.
To complete our discomfort it commenced
to rain. Rowing to the shore the gentle
men built a fire in the hollow of tree and
the cracking twigs and sticks soon warmed
us completely. Sharpening some long
sticks we cooked our fish and roasted some
sugar corn that did not groo wAere ace ate it,
The air was filled with odors and the
feast seemed fine enough for the most fas-
tidious epicure. He would surely have
thought so had lie taken the walk from
town and breathed the freshed breeze from
the hill-tops as we did. We walked home
in the drizzling rain but it did not dampen
our spirits, and we enjoyed our little i'm
,,ro,,., oxourciop almost hiUb1v the
more recherche affair to g Grove Spring.
of which we will tell you next week.
MARYDEI.