Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-07-04
Fifty Years Ago.

"OH, yes, We nau al cicSdnt tih'e, saiu
Miss Geneva Wilbur, AS she settled her
ruffles and puffs. 1--WE secured private
room in palace car, and were just as re-
tired and as much at ease as though We
had been travelling in our own drawing
room. 1t was furnished magnificently,
all in scarlet and gold, with panels of
polished rosewood and mahogany, and a
lovely Wilton carpet. Tho windows were
of French plate glass, with curtains and
lamberquins all complete. Then there
were luxurious easy chairs and sofas,
great mirrors, an upright piano, and lunch
tables, and card tables, and everything
one could devise for comfort. And it all
seemed so much like an Arabian Nights
tale, that fancicd had only to rub one
of the silver plated lamps which hung
from the ceiling, to make genie appear,
who would execute my bidding. All, it
was superb
"Seems to me times have changed a
little since was young" said old C6clc
Ezekiel, taking advantage Of the moment
airy pause Miss Geneva made. "Then peo-
pie couldn't go scooting about the coun-
try in parlor; they had to put up with
good many Inconvenience, not to say
privations, if they wanted to travel; but
then guess they took as much comfort,
on the whole, as they do nowadays. AT
any rate they looked healthier and whole
somer than the young folks Of this gen.
Grafton do with their airs and graces, their
folderols and their pinchcd looking forms
and faces.
snow, when Twas rising one and twenty
took notion that should like to sec
little of the world You see l had al
ways stuck close at home, only now and
then going to the nearest village to mus
ter, or to trade off some apples or butter.
So spoke to father about it, and he said
that after haying and harvesting / might
take the three year old colt broke in the
spring and 60 up and visit my relations
in Vermont. Well, this idea suited me
nightly, and I'll warrant set more store
by it than boys nowadays would by a
trip to California. There didn't much
grass grow under my feet for the next few
weeks, can tell you, and we got our last
load of grain in uncommon early, so that
one morning in September l was all
ready to start.
III got up early and fed my pony, and
mother baked shortcakc before the fire
and made good cup Of tea for my break
fast; then while was eating she put a
generous allowance Of doughnuts and
chcesesin my bag, and showedm me the new
cravat and socks she hadgot ready for me-.
Mother was always thoughtful for us, and
besides she wanted me to make a hand
some appearance up country; so she had a
tailoress in tho house for week, making
me suit Of pcpper-and-s homespun
which she had just taken from the loom.
The sun was rising over the barn when
sprung on my pony and waved a good
bye to my mother, and to the little sister
who had crcpt down in her night-gown to
see me start, and stood in the doorway by
her side. As passed through the viii
lageI saw quite number of the young
men Of my own ago stepping towards
their barns, with their milk pals on their
arms, and they stopped and stared we'll to
sec me setting off early In my new clothes
but enjoyed their surprise too much to
stop and give them any information on the
subject.
"'Brutus' seemed to feel as keen as
did, and cantered along briskly for the
first few miles. Then he began to take it
slower, for the road was getting tolerably
billy, and by the time we reached Gaines
borough he was considerably tuckered
out. drew up to the nearest tavern and
asked them to bait him. As for myself,
sat down under big elm tree that grew
In the yard, and ate my doughnuts and
cheese. AZ Twas putting on the saddle
the tavern-kceper came out 81
Y Il wouldn't be too quick about start
ing, young man. said he, it's going to
rain.' .e
".Reckon you are mistaken there, said 1.
"'Guess not replied he, I've lived here
five and forty years, and never heard the
looms scream over the pond and saw the
clouds hang below the mountain the way
they do now without our getting rain
afore night
However, was sure that could get
to my cousins in time, so started in spite
OF his warning; but had not got more
than matter of two or three miles, when
1t grew so dark that knew had better
make for shelter, and as l hadn't passed a
house since left the tavern, calculated
the beat thing could do was to 60 right
- back. The read was down hill all the
way, and ], wasn't long in composing the