Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-05-21
FIRST EDITION.
A Day in Reading.

THE RIDE OVER TIE W. an. h. R.-THrNos IN
OUR SISTER cIrY-rHE BERKs COUNTY r. r..
The season of summer travel will soon open,
and the annual hegera will soon commence.
Some pereons will go to the seaside, others to
the mountains, while others still will seek reore-
alton at the Lakes, or along the Canadian border.
But these places are not accessible to every one.
Many persons cannot spare the time to make
such extended trips a greater number cannot
endure the expense. But every one ought to
take some recreation from TOLL even for day;
and we know Of no more pleasant excursion than
to our neighboring city Of Reading with. which
We have direct communication, via the W. Il Il.
II. r. .0g
Yesterday, the Associate Editor of the Com
MERoIAL, through the courtesy of Supt. Stolz,
paid his second visit TO the city among the hills.
The ride was a delightful one,-in oomforta-
BILE car, free from dust. and through country
instinct with pastoral beauty and full of roman
tic interest. The condition of the road bed is
much improved from what 1t was when we last
rode over it, and the country itself presents an
appearance changed in some respects.
The day in Reading was pleasantly spent
among genial and kind-hearted set of people.
or course we paid our respects to our breathren
of the Times and Eagle, whom We found
rejoicing ih prosperity, and who in turn escor-
ted us about the city. We visited the Messrs.
Bushong in their new Banking House-an ele-
6 ant building-and found them just closing up
Iner days work. Money, they say, is easy
there, and they know nothing OF a striEgency in
the market. Mayor Evans, youthful, good-look-
ing, pleasant and unmarried, received us kind
ly. lie claims immunity from Cupids darts, we
believe, but this because he has never been to
Wilmington BY the way, can't some of our fair
damsels bring the Mayor down at long range
Do it, by all means, and unite the two cities
more closely than they are now knit by ties of
iron
Mshler, the merchant prince of Reading, we
md httau ft,h hia nntnt inn mt IA
Quoted us through his Academy of Music 1t is
a very fine building smaller than our Opera
House, we'll arranged and ventilated, and is ac-
complishing the desired ends IN bringing to the
city better class Of amusements, rs we'll as
paying the owner Handsomely. 1t has a billiard
room, barber-shop and bar 10 connection with
it. new Opera House is in process OF con-
struction.
Several other gentlemen were called on, who
extended cordial welcomes, and seemed we'll
pleased to learn of the prosperity attendant upon
cur city-a matter which they earnestly inquired
after Reading and Wilmington. you know, are
cities OF about the same size, and are more or
less Jealous OF one another. number OF per-
sons expressed desire to come TO Wilmington.
but they dislike the thoughts of days absence
from lager and pretzes. while several declared
their intention to come, bringing supply OF
these indispensables with them. We assured
them that this was unnecessary, as we had Ger
mans and their habits with US; bnt it seemed
but little consolation. since they did not bear the
stamp OF Berks comfy upon them. We would
not thereby be understood rs saving that the
peopls OF Reading are selfish. Far from it
they are hospitable, aud KIND, and almost over
whelming In their attentions. But nativity and
its customs stick to some people, and with this
spirit Berks countians are deeply imbued
We had almost forgotten to say anything
about our newspaper friends. The bright pages
of their papers. however, tell better than we can
OF the success which they are achieving They
fill different provinces. are not rivals OF one
another, get along kindly together, are both
growing rich. and the Eagle proposes soon TO
enlarge its already extensive printing house Its
forms will be stereotyhed in week or 3d. thus
furnishing new type for each issue OF the paper
In the punishment OF 1aisdemeanors. new
and efficient mode has lately been put into forse
which works well and to the general satisfaction.
Councils eIacted an ordinance requiring ohen-
ders when brought back a second Il ine,to work
certain number Of days at some kind OF labor,
and the Mayor informs us that they will be put
upon the streets. He no longer has any work
for them TO do inside the prison, having cover
ed the walls with nine coats OF whitewash within
the past few days. The good effects OF the Or
dinance are already apparent IN lessening OF
police work
The pulling down of the old market house
sheds in Penn street; has been great improve
ment to the city 1t gives the city wide busi-
ness avenue, revealing handsome store fronts,
and displaying the property all along the street
to better advantage. But their streets need pa
wing The need Of q city railway ID also felt
The excitement over the fight between the
Berks County and the Phila. d Reading Rail
roads died with the attempt to lay the rails along
Canal street. Considerable interest is still man
Tested in certain quarters over the struggle,
which is continued, but the popular feehng mas
subsided. In the meanwhile the work OF construc-
tion goes on. Track-lAyers have proceeded one
square north from Fifth street. but they have
been working with a limited force. This will
be increased in few days, 30 that half mile
of rails will be laid daily; The grading from
Birdsboro' to Reading is almost completed, and
iron and ties are arriving at the former place
preparatory to traok-laying. The masonry OF
the bridge which crosses the Schuylkili at head-
ing will soon be ready for the superstrueture.