Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-07-03

SrR1NGpALE, LouDoN Co., VA, July 2

SIFCTHg ~
Col. Mejia, (the Mexican secretary of the COM
mission,) and family; Donna Antonio, an aunt
OF Sonora AspiIos, and the Misses Foster, OF
charming company we have. Such collection
OF young 'uns' is rarely to be seen, and it has
been seriously proposed by some of the msmas
to have an HfGnry drill in honor OF the glorious
Fourth.
our grand picnic to the
SUMMIT OF THE Blue RIDGE,
was \ perfect success. The train consisted OF
three large coaches filled with bright and
shining faces, and provision wagon. After
reaching the highest point, where the Washing
known as Smokers Gap, the party moved di-
rectly up a mountain road to the left for one
mile, which brought US to a fine spring of deli
ciOus water, gushing forth from the very pima
Gle of the mountain. Here, in a grand old grove
of cherry trees, loaded with fruit, we encamped
for the Gay, and spread sumptuOus dinner. A
walk OF fifteen minutes brought us to the jutting
point OF the rocky cliff, known as the
"BEAR's DEN,"
and from which we enjoyed view perhaps not
surpassed on the broad face of the earth. The
was exuberant with life. The ladies were
charming, and the beaux, of whom Pay Direc-
tor John s. Cunningham was the particular
star, We'd with each other in contributing to
the enjoyment of the party.
THE DAY
is to be appropriately celebrated here on Thurs
day, fine assortment of fireworks having been
ordered from a northern factory to insure a
grand pyrOtechnic display for the benefit of our
to the union during the late rebellion. bal
loon of mammoth proportions, carrying a num-
Der OF naval signal lights, will be sent up in
honor of the glorious fourth.
Your correspondent is pleased TO report a
great Improvement in the prospect for good
corn crop in this section of the state. The late
fine rains have changed the appearance of veg
citation and the corn looks vigorous and thriy-
ing and fair crop is now anticipated. The
wheat crop is turning out about as reported in
N he nna ffy M tha IL
superior An experienced farmer of the neigh
borhood assured us he had never seen it better
and that his crop, the best probably in the
county, would yield him twenty bushels per
acre. The gardens have all looked up since
the heavy rains, and we are luNuriating i'm
fresh vegetables of every description. For the
with truth that the country will swarm with
partridges the coming season. They have never
been known to be SO abundant before.
CORRESPONDENT.
LOngfe lows Victory over Bassett,
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE MONMOUTH CUP
INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE GREAT RACE,
We published a brief telegraphic dispatch yes
terday afternoon, stating that the great race at
Long Branch, between the horses Longfellow
and Harry Bassett, for the Monmouth cup, had
been won by the former-easily. Later tele-
grams bring some interesting particulars of the
contest, from which it appears that an immense
boats from New York and every train arriving
at the branch being densely crowded. This
great race for the Monmouth cup was a dash of
two and half miles, which had twelve nomina.
tons at fifty dollars each, play or pay, added to
the purse of 81 600, the second horse to receive
$500 and the third $50 out of the stakes. Al
though number OF other good horses were ex-
pected to run, the real contest ANTICIPATED was
between the celebrated horses Lopgfellow and
Harry Bassett. At the sale Of the pools, Bassett
brought Al 800 and LongfeIlow 81 600 Subse-
quently Bassett brought So ,OeO and Longfellow
81 200. The excitement was at fever heat Long
fellow was winner by twelve lengths-time 4:$i.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE.
But little difficulty was experienced In effect
ing start, and the horses got away together
Bassett having the inside track For the first
half mile they ran head and head-the only adj
vantage, If any, being in favor of Bassett. As
the horses, warming into their stride, passed the
grand stand, the excitement rose to fever pitch
The hrst mile and half found their positions
unchanged but the hackers of Bassett evidently
had misgivings, as their favorite was dOirg his
best, while il seemed Longfellow was stillbeine
held in by his rider. Their fears were con-
nrmed when the horses swept past the grand
stand the second time. LOngtellOw's rider gave
mead to his horse, who calamity responded, and
quickly quickly placed two lengths between himself and
THE SCENE WAS INDEscRIBARIR
Men threw their hats in the air and cheered
wildly, while ladies waved handkerchiefs and
bet countless pairs of gloves on John Harper's
steed. From this moment it was evident ali
was up with Bassett, and although his rider
used whip and spur without STINT il was of TO
avail. Every moment Longfellow increased his
lead, and landed an easy winner in 4.34, or, as
some OF the judges claim, in 4.33. Bassett was
beaten over a dozen lengths. The enthusiasm OF
the western men was unbounded. They crowd
ed around John Harper, cheering and congra,-
ulating the old man, who also seemed laborinr
under great excitement. Immense sums were
lost on the race by New Workers. John Morris
sey is among the heavy losers. The days races
are acknowledged the finest and best conducted
Of the American turf.
LoNGFRLLow's VICTORIES.
The career OF the winning horse has been a
brilliant one. In the Saratoga club of 1871
Longfellow was opposed by kingfsher, who, 1t
is acknowledged, was the best horse of his year,
and he was great favorite. Longfellow beat
MIN easily, and stamped himself as the fastest
horse in the country by running the first mile Of
the race in minute 40 seconds. When il is re-
membered that previous to that race I:43 was
the fastest mile on record, the excellence of this
feat can better be imagined. He was beaten in
the Saratoga four mile race last year, however,
but 1t is known he was not in proper condition
at the time.
HARRY BAssRTT's CAREER.
harry Bassett's career, since the fall of 1870,
has been continued progress. He carried of
in succession all the great three-year-old stakes
or last year, and wound up by beating Helm
bold at Baltimore in q race of four mile heats
few weeks ago he captured two races at ,Je-
rome Park with the greatest ease. Bassett's
speed has never been considered extraordinary
all his public races having been won with appa.
rent ease in ordinary time.
THE STRIKES EAST AND wKsr-lt is reported
from New York that the strikers have abandoned
I'D ~ ok -.