The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-08-14
LETTERS FROM BALTIMORE.
Great Expectations. "

in the central portion of this grand ole
Monumental City," on Baltimore, Ligh
and German streets, contiguous to tbs
public Offices of Baltimore Co., as well al
connecting with all important portions
of the city, by means of street car com
municztions, and its reputation as e no.
tel is frst-class. Our trip through, from
Somerset, O., to this place was, taking il
altogether, very pleasant one, and
would be glad to lay its points of inter
est before you in some way that would
both be profitable and edifying to your
readers, but as my time is precious and
my ability as a newspaper correspond
ent, very limited, / will be compelled
to iot o few items Only, in my awkward
manner, 80 that my many frieTds may
know what am doing, as well as where,
when and how. Leaving Somerset at
9:1O A. NJ. Monday. and making close
connection at Junction City and Lam
caster we arrived at Athens, o., in time
for dinner; and here awaited the 3:22 P.
NJ. 'fast line" on the c. &. NJ. r. R.,
which was behind time some As minutes,
when we met our friend Gardner, bound
for the Monumental City," and togeth-
er we :'onward sped our way" over a
country which is indeed extremely
rough, and which forcibly reminded me
of Mark Twain's" roughing it through
the West. Our train seemingly to make
up lost time, fairly few along, Ger the
rock-ribbed hills, deep ravines, gulches
md chasms now overlooking iillipu-
tian valley, now plunging into the stony,
craggy mouth of some hideous, huge
tunnel, darker than the shades of Ere
bus. and with din terrible as ten thou
sand furies,'' we spring out however, into
all the rich efulgence and glory of pure
daylight, and thank God we are above
ground again. On we go, leaping some
frightful chasm, with the majestic forest
trees beneath our feet, but az we go, We
again behold them up above us, and, ere
we are aware "old mother earth" has
again swallowed us up and Egyptian
darkness and horrible din and clatter
reigns supreme, and the old railroad
song with the words
"Rattling over ridges,
Shooting under arches,
Running over bridges" &c.
would in~oluntarily ring in my ears, and
seemed aptly appropriate to this occa-
sion, we made the beautiful Ohio valley
and crossed the river below Marietta
where our train stopped 10 minutes in
he town of Parkersburg, w. Va, here
we again soon bid adieu to civilization,
Us it were, and plunge into a country
With the mark Of Cain indelibIy impress
ID upon it; mountains and hills, tunnels
and ravinea, are the ruling features; now
md then passing round pale, mud
laubcd log cabin, with its clapboard roof
and stick built chimney, reminding us
IF the olden time; the inhabitants too,
have remarkably ancient look, and,
do not doubt but here We must have
passed some of the ':tNstest fds1ilies Of ne
Werginmy,' who no doubt are contented
With their lot, hugely enjoying life in
.hese their mountain businesses, and look
ng upon railroads as a useless innova-
,ation. and all travellers as set of 'tnzy
raqabons." Here we had the pleasure OF
orming an acquaintance with the gen.
,emanly conductor of the Pullman
Palace car" Mr.. Thos. Foreman, We
mutually reciprocated the peculiar kind
iewelry worn by each of us, and in
ess.time than can relate it, we three,
lid agree, that we were each descendants
ofthose noble 'GibeoEi es' who are indeed
peculiar people" I need not try to
describe our Pullman car, as it is truly
grand beyond description, costing about
$4,000, with nothing left to make 1t
rnly pleasant and comfortable to any
wishing to enjoy its benefits. Bro. ,.
bid us each kind good night as we ss-
.igned ourselves to the comfortable berths
md tried to bid care and toll adieu pro
tem., but we only succeeded partially,
w catching a nap nov and then, as the
rockiny :, jolting, Cscillating and lightning
like rapidlty of motion considerably
shook us up like" the fitting we got re-
minded us of course of the "Beecher-
rilton" scandal which unfortunately so
1reoccupies the journalistic talent of
America to-day, and the chilly air Of
hose West Virginia mountains called
20 our mind forcibly that it's the "Chil-
coli baltimore claim" We are after and,
We will call more particular attention to
hat matter tomorrow as we cannot to-
Law get through enough of the records
be def. lite.
But to return to our travels; we count
ID largely on viewing the Cheat river"
mountain scenery "by moonlight, all
llone," but came near being cheated out
IF that entirely, as "Fair Cynthia's"
face not only delayed to rise, but though
,nodesty perhaps at natures rough nude
state. she in diffidence blushingl,' veiled
her phiz until we were beyond the more
sublime and grander portions Of the
BEAUTIES SO much admired by the travel
.r; however, we caught glimpses now
md then of some of the untold grandeur
Of this country, the impressions which
we will carry with US in our minds eye,
as indelibly outlined as though they were
craven in the rock with pen of iron.
While was enjoying this beautiful pam
oramic view / noticed quite a commo-
ton among the passengers which was
caused by lady who it appears was sub
iect to fits of insanity; and our kind con-
ductor was using his utmost endeavors to
prevent her disturbing the other passen-
gers, she persisted in the theory that she
was on board boat and that some per.
sons were bound to pursue her and de-
prive her Of some imaginary good she
was the possessor of. Bro. F. assured her
however, that she was only among her
friends while he commanded the boat
md that if she would but trust in God
no evil could befall her, while as faith
ful sentinel or watchman the conductor
stood guarA a pair of eyes were seen to
neer ont from behind the curtain with