Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-10

aoul VI SIX VI the Cioch W Ou0Qay morning,
we wendell our weary way towards the depot of
the Washington and Ohio Railroad, only stop.
ping for moment to ''swop lie'' with the
officers of the law, who, just from their vigils
we're cougregated about the station house. look
ing much fresher than we felt, wheu we were
hailed from the opposite side of the street BY
the quietly jocose Superintendent of the w. Il
O., who kindly invited us to join him-not 10
something" but 90 bis journey. Before we
could reply to his invitation he was informed
that we had just been "let out" and he had
better take US out Of town and-takipg the
affront, we left
At the depot we were nearly alone, and had
time to reflect upon the possibility of au explo-
sion OF the locomotive, aud its attendant coUse.
quences, and our totally unprepared condition
tor sudden exodus from this sublunary
sphere. The clouds, too hung low and por-
tended rain, but their lachrymose appearance
was 10 consooance with our feelings, SO morti-
fed by the slap received at the station
house, and we quietly strobe up ard down the
platform alone in our wretchedoess. We
longingly looked up the almost deserted street,
to catch a glympse of some familiar face or cor
van-it was too early.
swatch and pray" is divine ipiunction, and
We did much of the former, and tried hard to
do the latter, but with misgiviugs however,
whether the prayers Of the unrighteous are Of
any avail or not suddenly there came into view
the figures OF two men and sacheI. Auxiousy
we watched the approach Of that satchel, losing
| sight OF Its owner or possessor. 1t came, and
OBJ the joy-only to be turned to saduess-for
to our anxious enquiry, whats IN it ?" there
came smile over the countenance of our to be
fellow traveller, aud the response, mot going
to camp, and amt got nothing in it. Vain
world adleu," thought we, but restrained tie
expression of disgust that involuntarly rose to
our lips But as long as there's life, there 8
hope, and the next satchel that came along had
IN Its pocket-the pocket Of the man that car.
red it, a flask, marked private, warranted not
to kill instantly. That was enough--we could
! endure life with such fond auticipations, and
several of our ''oldest and most respected Cit.
zens' having, by this time, arrived, most of
them with bundles under thei, arms, one end,
most 10 general, long and twisted we got
aboard. After waiting ten minutes to see
IT anybody else was coming foot, and off we
went to stop at the Washington junction, where
we received accesslons to our parly--many of
both sex, irrespective OF race, color or previous
or present condition--tor some Of them were
verify 10 vino, as the people living along the
line OF the road will attest; for Rome was
made to howl, the shrek of the LOCOMOTIVES
completed y drowned by the yells Of the imugi-
nary Modocs, while the beasts Of the field were
scared from their hiding places by the we'll SIM
ulated barks of the terucious dog. At Falls
Church young man from the country was
made to near break his neck getting on the
car, under the announcement, from dozen
orazen throats, that the train was off, and be
must hurry up, and on reaching the platform
log efforts of bis friends to get him on, while
be was told that the next time he must be on
handlsn hour or two soooer. And "oue more
unfortunate, who aoaS too late, was, in Ian.
guage Dot the politest, told as the train moved
off, to wait a week, y come over Oh the ex-
press, foot it along quietly" &c.
We rode nearly to the eud of the road, and
then got off, with the ''surgng mass, and
proceeded to Wend our way IN the wake of a
long procession OF carriages, men on horseback,
carts, and all sorts of vehicles TO the ground, I"
where We found few preachers, several assis-
tants, good many people, and large gather
Ing OF politicians, from the sub. Governor down.
The principal occupation OF the ground
seemed to be eating, in which all, of high and
low degree, were engaged. At the tables, iu
the woods, in the bushes, in the carriages, in
the wagons--one of them marked "Leut's Cir.
Gus everywhere it was ham sandwiches,
chicken legs, cheese, biscuit, crackers, &C., &C.,
with generally a ''drap of the creathur," to
wash it down.
There was an awful absence of beauty in
the cars and on the ground. We were caught
on the beauty question Seats in the cars be-
came scarce as the crowd, going up, Increased
at each station, and We wanted to show our gal.
lantry to the best looking lady that might come
along. Like Henry Clay, when the very ugly
ones came by, We lnVoluutariIy turned our head,
but finding that the thing had to be done-i.e.,
the seat given up-we feritively watched our
chance, and seeing very fair daughter of Eve
approaching, We got ready to show our agli-
ty, when 10 some other fellow was ahead of
US, and We lost the opportunity. Then we had
to give up to one-Dot so good looking, which
was disappointment, sure.
We we're struck with the proceeding at the
camp meetiug-a horn-tin-was blown; then
the faithful gathered in front and around the
stand After the prayer and singing the min.
ister-Rev. DR.. Rosser-took his text--"And
with one accord they all began to make ex-
cuse. Then looking over the crowd he said
"lfthe gentleman on the outer circle can hear
my voice, he will siguifyit by tipping bis whip"
which, being satisfactory, the Doctor proceeded
to deliver forcble sermon, to which all, at
hrst, seemed to listen attentivey then the
outer circles became restless, and gradually
moved of, and soon the restessness became con-
tagious, and after a while more than half the
congregation had found an excuse for getting
of. The religious feeling seemed to pervade
but few worldly matters occupied the thoughts
and monopolized the conversation of the large
majority.
There were comparatively few tents on the
ground, aud the wonder to US was, how all that
were going to stay all night were 10 be accom-
modated, uuess they took it spoon fashion,"
and then it would be tight squeeze.
Coming home iu the cars the monotony of
the ride was broken by half-cracked arkey,
who, viii lie the train was 10 motion, burst intc
the ladies' car, exclaiming, with uplitted bands
and upturDed eyes, aud initiating a star actor
in a death scene, INV brother Oh nv hrrtb-