The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-07-28

STANFORD, Ky, jew 18th, 1876

Louisville, In consequence Of excursion
rates for the ith, but Capt. Sudduth, put
US through on time, and our round trip
ticket was readily procured for $50. We
left the q. n NJ. depot, about half an hour
late and In railroad parl ance, were shaken
up lively in order that the regular connec-
ton should be msde with the 81. Louis and
Cincinnati train. few minutes after 10
O'Clock, we left Cincinnati for Washington
City, over the MS rietta mad Cincinnati
railroad. Took a berth in a Pullman
sleeping car, and were aroused by the por-
ter Tuesday morning in time to stand up
on a platform and view the magnificent
bridge which spans the Ohio at Parker--
burg, Va. Between Parkersburg and Graf
ton, less than one hundred miles, we passed
through % tunnels, one or two said to be a
mile or more in length. but the speed Of
our train was such that II asked our esti-
mate Of the longest we should have said
half mile. Between those places the out
look is as unpromising Of prof, to Il rail
road as any section over which we ever
travelled, the lands being almost universal
" stony, rolling and poor, and the products
barely sufficient to subsi-t the inhabitants,
one will naturally infer from the present
crops.
At Grafton, we ate a O'Clock breakfast,
by far the best meal Of which we ever par
took at railroad hotel. At or near Graf
ton VIC began the ascent Of the Allegha-
mics, and were whirled up the steep grades
by a couple OF engines at a rate Of speed
equal TO that Of our l.. and n. passenger
trains. But for the advice Of a traveller,
familiar with the road, we should hsvs
paid for scat on the rear platform Of the
hinjmost car-always a parlor or sleeping
coach demanding an extra ticket for occu-
pancy. seat on the left afforded, from
car window, a satisfactory view Of the grea-
ter pant Of the scenery along the route
through and over the mountains. From
and near the summit, the scenery is Of a
grandeur which would throw an American
exquisite, (shoddy) into "eonniptions" I'm
mense slopes have been cleared Of timber.
aud appear covered by a luxuriant growth
Of bluegrass. A grass similar to our in
comparable blue predominates, a native
told us. Without rejecting at what an ex.
irene height above the ocean level one is
beirg dashed at race horse speed around
and over the mountains, he wonders at the
agreeable temperature Of July day, and
is at loss TO account for the rareness Of
dwelling houses amid the numerous grass
fields Near one Of the SUBMITS We were
slightly startled by n sight Of Cheat River,
hundreds Of feet below us. II Is a wider
stream than our average Kentucky rivers,
amp the waters were Of peculiar dark,
dirty, reddish brown, in consequence Of
late rains. An i'll tempered News Agent
assured an inquisitive passenger, whom he
had failed to sell any Of his merchandise,
that it is always that color.
We struck the upper waters Of the North
branch Of the Potomac, near Deer Park,
which, to the eye is a most attractive sum-
nner resort. The Atlas % Of this good gov
ernment, and few Of his congenials were
reported there by late paper. There we
began I continuous and rapid descent to
the valley Of the Potomac, where the thick
ly studded ~hea, shocks proclaim fertil-
ity Of the soil. At Ilarper's Ferry, the
scenery i--well, it is worth trip there,
is the best description our vocabulary af-
fords.
We reached Washington City behind
time, but before night, and in thunder
and rain storm of severity almost unknown
to this section. The water beat into the
coach in such quantity ~ To drive persons
from their seats, and umbrellas were hoist
e. by some Of the passengers. 1t was the
evening Of the glorious Fourth that we
reached the seat Of Government, and the
reckless consumption Of fireworks wasn't
at all wonderful. Christmas at Stanford,
is perfect pandemonium, in comparison
with Washington Ci,y's jubilation on Cen
tennial night We heard the explosion of
few fre-crackers; at long intervals, and
one Of our hotel clerks fired half dozen
caitridges from small pocket pistol-the
sum Of that nights shooting, within
three blocks Of the Capitol,
We cherish grudge against the man
who recommended the fremont House to
US. The morning OF the 9th, was the most
oppressive We ever felt. The sun beamed
with a fury which converted the surface
moisture, produced by the rain of the day
before, into siaosi steam, and on the
thoroughfares the exceptions were the lew
who didn't carry umbrellas. Our travel
ing companion, +. NJ. W., of Cuba, Pulas-
XII county, = trump, amongst the number
less Original observations he made on the
trip, exclaimed; "The city Of umbrellas'
| wish had my old singham uni soil
along" We strolled through the Capitol
buildings--looked from the galleries upon
our assembled Solons in the Senats and
House, and found our way to the upper
balcony Of the Dome, under the guidance
Of Willie Paxton, a diminutiye Washing
touian Of IS or IA years, about the size OF
our Charlie Carson. Willie is perfect lit
! ia Chesterfield, who eSiEees versatility
aud ready command Of the Kings best
English, which would be regarded unusual
preeocity in most sophomoiic darlings Of
sixteen. Up s65 steps We found the highest
accessible part Of the Dome, and our little
friend pointed out to US almost every ihips
of which our Capitol city il proud.
After dinner he accompanied us Il
Smith soBian Institute, where We lingerec
ill ali public buildings were closed, AM
} the remaining hours Of our stay were spen
s,rolling about the city.
Pennsylvania Avenue is tbs eveninI
y thoroughfare, and what is singular to Wis
a. -. A.. hunlrads II moi thauSauds q