The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-10
GREEN THINGS.

GREEN THINGS.
Escaping the heat" that's what they
call it, believe; Or they refer to the cheat
ed term," in connection with "country
breezes" and strawberry shortcake."
I've been there, and am going again.
I've been mailing the windows down,
putting double locks on the doors, and
making bargain with the policeman on
that beat to watch the house while the
family goes out to snuff the agricultural
air and recuperate the system.
1t never costs me much to get ready for
stay of three or four weeks in the coun-
try, but if it cost S., 900, money could not
be matched against rosy cheeks and dou-
Bile chin. generally 60 down town and
bny out store or two and millinery
shop as the first steps toward getting
ready, and the remaining purchases can be
made at odd times. Any stock not wasted
by the family, such as nails, hinges, grind
stones, and bar iron, can be auctioned off
! after you get home. 1t doesn't take over
four months to get ready for stay of three
weeks among the blossoming orchards and
the green clad hills. Any ambitious fami-
ly can commence in February, and if things
are we'll managed they will lie all ready for
country trip by the list of June.
The most economical way is to charter a
special train for the run out. Ten freight
cars, if in good repair, ought to hold all
needful articles, but if any are left behind
they can come by some of the regular
freight trains.
One should not be troubled to find
to get rid of heat, dust, dignity, fashion,
and starched clothes, and most farmers are
prepared to take US in. BY this date every
farm house which expects to receive board
ers is in apple pie order. The high-post
bedstead has been carefully wiped with
damp rag. The ceilings have been white
washed and the cobwebs hauled down.
The cracked looking glass has been hung
in a new position, and the cherry wash
stand nailed into the corner to hide the
fact that one leg is missing. The white
washbowl, with big niche in the rim, and
the white pitcher, with two, thirds of the
handle gone, have been brought out and
rinsed and placed ON the stand. The rag
carpet on the floor isn't exactly new, but it
has been washed and some of the stripes
gone over with brush and dye.
The farmers wife has been weeks getting
ready for you. The German-silver tea
spoons have been secured and wiped and
rubbed until the makers name has disap-
peared. She's bought three new bowls,
new tin teapot, two new milk pans, new
dipper, and logwood to stain the kitchen
chairs over new.
She'll be at the gate to welcome you as
the family leave the train and plod up the
road through dust three inches deep, with
the sun shining down as if it had been
hired to melt the stones in the highway.
You are ushered into the best room, recog-
nize that old rip in the carpet and that
print of Queen Elizabeth on the wall, and
you heave a sigh of relief as you realize
that you are out among the birds and
flowers. You don't see any flowers around
there, and the melancholy crow on the
corn field fence doesn't MARBLE for shucks,
but that isn't your fault.
After a rest you take dinner-mouth
puckered up for fresh eggs, strawberries,
rich cream and real old fashioned biscuit.
Tho good old lady stands with teapot full
of black tea in her hand, and explains that
but all the stores were eggless; that she
lives too far from the city to get strawber-
ries in good condition; that she has con-
tract to furnish cream for an excursion;
that she doesn't believe coffee is healthy,
and that her emptin's didn't come up good
and her bread is sour.
l always have regular programme laid
down to follow, and endeavor to follow it,
viz:
First Week-Get used TO fat pork, old
potatoes, weak tea, cold in the head, skim
med milk, white butter, bar soap, horn
combs, COW bells, mosquitoes, spiders, SUM-
burn, and pillows with sixteen feathers in
them.
Second Wsek-Grow more romantic
Climb hills to get view of the roof of an
old horse barn and sheep pasture. Hunt
for shady dells and get mired in swamp.
Listen for the joyful songs of the morning
lark and hear the farmer yelling to the
spotted COW to "hist around thar or he'll
break her neck!" Wander down shady
paths at sunset to find that they bring up
just where the village carts have dumped
dozen loads of old boots, hoop skirts, oys-
ter canss bottles and shavings. Go over
to scent the new mown hay and feel as if
you were boy again, and have brindled
dog get away with a yard and half of
your lavender pants, besides desirable
quantity of meat.
Third Week-Remember the comforts of
home. Apply remedies for sunburn. Send
to town to get the children some clothes to
cool breezes are. Pull the thorns out of
the boys legs and prick their stone bruises.
Warn the mosquitoes, COW bells, OWLS
barking dogs, and squalling cats that it is
the third and last call. Hand your hostess
your wallet. Start for home. When you
get there throw open the doors and win
dows, sink into chair, and remark:
"The world is full of fools!"
But 60 again next year. M. QUAD.
AMERICAN WooDLANDs.-In discussing