The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-09-14
OUR WESTERN LETTER.
AUGUST 30th, 1872.


dust, the clatter and roar of befogged Bel
leaire, we next brought up in the peaceful
little town of GAINESVILLE, and spent two
nights and delightful day in romantic
little cottage, the home of cherished rela-
tives never seen before. Our next stopping
place was Columbus, Ohio. Sauntering
around the city there is little to interest
the traveller; fruits and melens cheap and
plentiful upon the sidewalk The bells of
Columbus are certainly no beauties, and
those whom we met upon the sidewalk
were not dressed in striking good TASTE
In all cities that we have yet visited the
promenaders suffer in comparison with
tainly carry off the palm in dress, as well
as beauty. In the centre of Columbus
stands the new Court House, an imposing
and elegant structure.
Taking the evening train, we felt a little
alarmed to learn that we should have to
change cars at midnight's holy hour in the,
to US, strange city of Indianapolis. No
body was expecting US there. If the train
was delayed and the connection missed, we
would be at the mercy of railroad officials,
unfortunate hack drivers, and exorbitant
hotel keepers; but there was no help for it.;
so we took our seat in the last car, and
there we waited three mortal hours on the
arrival of the through train from Pittsburg
Owing to this delay, daylight was dawning
when VIC reached indianapolis. The train
to Urbana was gone. Remembering that
we had the address of one of the most ac-
complished writers in the West, in our
possession, we determined to seek her out
and make day Of it, and happier day
has seldom fallen to our adventurous lot.
indianapolis is a delightful town, it stands
mon the level and is built upon the square;
every house stands in the midst of its little
grove of fruit trees, and flower garden
Here stands the university of Indiana
which we had the pleasure of visiting in
company with our literary friend.
Taking the evening train for Urbana, we
felt some trepidation, for we had read Mar
Tin Cbuzzlewit and had sublime faith in
ifs author. and shall believe to our dying
day that after leaving Indianapolis we pass
cd over some of the veritable ground visited
bv Martin in that famous western trip.
Urbana's high-sounding name might be
used to designate ten by fifteen waiting
room in the midst OF a prairie swamp
Showing our ticket to the conductor and
telling him that our destination was on the
Central Illinois road he advised that we
should 60 on to Champagne City. Here
was a gay old name for town at any rate,
one might reasonably suppose that the
town was in a continual state of inebria-
tion. Taking sharp look at Urbana as
we passed it by, we could discern nothing
excent an immense hotel, with dim lights
cleaning from its lofty windows. 1t look
ed very inviting to the worn and weary
traveller.
Arrived in Champagne City, we could
discern nothing except the little pen-like
waiting room; but soon the vociferous
drivers of many buses informed us of the
comfort and cheer that awaited us at the
Belmont House, Doane House, &C., with
or they awaited but our word to convey US.
Gladly would we have been so conveyed,
Int at that moment remembered our bag
oare and obstinately refused to move an
other inch until we learned it's where
.bopts. 1t had been checked to Urbana
90 back to that place we resolved to &c
when daylight should arrive. The gentle,
manly clerk took us into his office, moved
nossibly by that fellow-feeling that makes
rs all akin, for we stood upon the platform
shaking as with an ague in the bleak wind
which was whistling across the prairie like
twoforty. In the Office ofthe clerk burn
cd y warm coal fire. That verdant ano
diseonsolate youth just sprouting his first
mnstache, informed us that he was from
the East: had been in Minnesota and wa.
gradually working his way back to his
native town, where he was determined tt
| live and die, like the renowned author O.
cold Folks at Home" AS we sat there
in that dismal Office and heard the train.
90 East and West, we could not avoid /;
little Hawaiian rhyming after this style
Westward 60 the hopeful goslings
To the golden land of promise;
| Relieving in the land agents promise
| That it flows with milk and honey,
| That the bushes hang with dollars;
They may have them for the picking;
| And returning and embracing
The fair girl left behind me,
know all the bliss that falls to mortal.
An, but eastward go adyenturers-
Disappointed, for the gold upon the bushes
Had been plucked before they reached
them,
And We draughts of fluid tactical
| Sweetened with the beehive ambrosia.
We're as scarce as greens at Christmas.
Returning to Urbana, found our baggage
all right, though when we sought ant
found our trunk at Belleaire we found one
minus a top and the other sadly damaged
But in that progressing city we are inform
ed that all baggage is thrown down ter
foot funnel but mercIfully taken up on ar
elevator, far the simple reason that this is
ops of those obstinate rules that will no,
work both ways; and though trunk is