The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-21

idea Of perfect felicity is, nothing to do and
plenty Of time to do it in. am now re
alizing the first, but am circumscribed in
the last, having but short time to dc
nothing in. Well. shall make the most Of
it, and get all the enjoyment possible with
in my temporal limits.
We found the road from Austin to the
Blanco rough and muddy from the late
rains, and our progress was slow. Leaving
after dinner, we only reached the farm Of
rancho of our townsman, c. r. Johns,
ESQ, now rented by 8r. Nance, who keeps
the stage stand on the west side Of the Blanco.
This farm comprises, on both sides of the
river, about 1900 acres Of land, all suitable
for agriculture or grazing purposes. Mr..
Nance has a fine stock of sheep and goats,
numbering seven hundred sheep and two
hundred goats. The sheep are mostly Of
fine blood, the celebrated Consul Jarvis
merino breed, from Vermont, and the goats
are mixture of the cashmere and Mexi.
can, many Of them of the pure cashmere
blood. They all looked fine, and for sup
per and breakfast, we had the pleasure OF
feasting on as delicate and well favored
cold kid as ever ticlxled the palates of the
patriarchs Of old AS I swallowed mouth
ful after ''mouthful of the savory food,
with an appetite made keen by the rough
ride, thought of Abraham, Isaac and ia
cob, as well as my friend Moses, of Austin,
the clothing man, whom 1 had left behind
me. The lands along the Blanco are rich,
and the only drawback is the sometime:
violent overflow of this now clear and quiei
stream. saw plenty of evidence of the
last one, which happened, 1 believe, ii
1870, large trees and logs being left scat
tered around full mile from the usual
banks. OF course the fences were all swept
away, but were soon rebuilt, many of then
with the flood-wood left when the sea o.
waters subsidized.
From Nance's, leaving San Marcos TO the
right, we wound our way along not mucl
frequented road, among the plantations OF
the Blanco and San Marcos rivers, crossing
the latter unrivaled stream at the old MCGEE
crossing. All the,way to this point noted
the stock of all sorts looking UNUSUAL!
well for this season of the year, there being
plenty of grass, and, 1 am told, diminu
ton of the stock, from the large amour
driven off to Kansas during the too las
years. The corn crop of this region i
very good, and would have been large, haC
the rains come a little sooner, when TIN
ears were filling out. As it is, Their
is now on hand large quantity of old COR
unconsumed. The cotton is magnificent
covering the whole ground and full of boil
and blossoms. never saw liner on tn
banks Of the Mississippi in good season
So far, the worms have done little or n,
damage in Western Texas, and from what
saw and from all can hear, the cotton crol
of this section will be very large and fine
arrived here in good time for dinner
after a most delightful ride, stopping
awhile to rest on,the San Geronimo, ant
watching the playful trout in that beautiful
little stream, mostly fed by springs. Herr
was formerly the fine farm of Henry McCul
loch, Esq. adjoining another, where, unit
within the last three years, resided the Ge1
man, Count Schraum, and where his widoy
and only daughter still live.
Seguin is a quiet, pleasant town, ava
from railroad excitement, with popula
ton of about 1900, noted for their intelli
gence, good order and hospitality. 1t
situated near the bank of the Guadalupe
and was first settled in 1888, growing up i
the neighhorhood of the Walnut Springs,
famous camping ground on the old roa'
from Nacogdoches to San Antonio. It wa
named after noted Mexican, Seguin, VIII
at first favored the Texas revolution ant
afterwards turned traitor. When thi
happened, there was desire to chang
the name of the town, but it fnal
" stuck and is Seguin still. It cor
tains four churches, good court house
and q fine Masonic hall is nearl
completed The bar is an able one, includ
ing Judge Ireland, the late distinguish
member OF the Legislature, and now can
didate for the Democratic nomination fc
Governor. Among the many good me
willing to serve the people in that capacity
Seguin can boast of two, Ireland and NJ
CuIloch, the brother of the celebrated Ber
who lives here much respected by all VIII
know him. did not have the pleasure {
meeting this gentleman, as he is now muc
of the time from home, owing to his raj
road connections. am spending my shol
time here very agreeably among my man
friends, who arc anxious for me to stay an
Join in a fishing party to the San Geronimo
But am forced to decline this temptin
offer, and shall leave in the morning fC
New Braunfcls, where expect to stay SON
time, and from which you viii hear from n
again. r. J.