Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-04
Correspondents.
  OSoRo. OR sSGE Co.,, Florida. December 21st, 1876.

@ -aslt ltzE z Mr. Editor.
 s ElEAs SR: Matching from open win. .dows the brilliant sunset, and it's redec- ton in the crystal lake, contrast these surroundings with those of the dear Con- necticut home. Perhaps through the En- quirer other friends may be pleased to learn of our journey. It was crisp, cold weather when we left Litchfield county, and commenced our pilgrimage in earnest from New York on the 7th of December. There was no rush from the depot exit at Jersey City, like that of the Centennial days. The big-voiced official, heralding the way to Passengers for tue Philadel- phia, Baltimore & Washington, etc." was stin sound of wind, and a gray headed man who some weeks ago declared. s'If livqAhroHgh tLis Centennial and keep my temper shall be fit for tho kingdom. ]" had survived the ordeal and was still doing duty upon the footstool. Approach ing Philadelphia we saw the well remem- bered Exposition buildings in Paramount Park and thought of the thousands who had gathered there and then scattered again so widely.
 Although cold in New York had not noticed ice in either the East or North rivers. but from Philadelphia onward was surprised at it's thickness. Near Balti- mere ice several inches thick was being gathered and hauled away in dEays. The Susguehanna and Gnnpowder rivers were frozen over. Transferred at Baltimore from the cars to the steamer Adelaide upon Chesapeake Bay we enjoyed the admira- ble dinner at clock, and later our good state-roons. One should rise early and seem the stiffness of dawn those historic places-Old Point Comfort and Hampton Roads then be ready for the landing at Portsmouth, where we again took cars for Weldon and Wilmington. In the interim of waiting,a couple behind me talked free ly, and when from personal matters they discussed the Exposition ct Philadelphia I was an amused listener. They were Vlrginians. .and the young lady was placed under the escort of James river steamer Captain. She said, among other things, that it injured her feelings most to be obliged to stand the shadow of the granite soldier in front of Memorial Hall. an ap- pointed place of rendezvous. The captain said, .I was surprised that they made 80 much of Washington at the Centennial; seeing he was not Northern man !" Such shallowness merits only pity-so little could they comprehend the people, or the meaning of this grand Centennial celebration. At Franklin this couple left us. We breakfasted. and then a worn looking woman entered our car with pea nuts and one pair of knitted cotton socks for sale. Responding to inquiries. she said, 70, this is a blessed place for work; poor people can get work here all the fall picking cotton and ground peas." When asked at what wages, she said, "A right smart hand can sometimes pick one hun dred pounds of cotton in day-but they must be mighty spry-and they get seven. ty-five cents." ''And the peanuts P I questioned. "They get fifteen cents bushel for them but they must commence soon and work mighty hard to pick two bushels day" And yet she was thank ful!
 The chief amusement of the cloudy day was watching for ice. which continually appeared. and at evening we took sleep ing cars at Wilmington, N. C., reaching Charleston, s. O., at six next morning. Here we were transferred across the city, stopping at the Charleston House for breakfast. The hotel was consplcuously empty-none seem travelling save those impelled by necessity. We encountered friends here; and there occurred an anus ing revelation of kinship with one of our travelling companions of the previous thirtysix hours. Crossing the Cooper river by steam ferry we experienced con- siderable cold, and knew there was zero weather somewhere. All made rush for the one first-class car-an unnecessary outlay of energy, as it proved, for all day ihe car was but one-third full This is one of the prominent routes of travel, the connecting line between two impor- tant cities. One must take the ride be. tween Charleston and Savannah to under stand the vast difference between it, and the same number of miles from New York and any point in any direction from that city, where all is thrift and activity and almost an unbroken line of villages. The few poor shanties where human beings, white and colored. live, are blem- ish and would astonish a New England farmers cattle.
 The political question was discussed hy Northern and Southern men, and for Torn old negro who came in with peanuts and apples, asked if had an old news. paper to give him. A gentleman handed him Charleston News, saying. "Can you read ?" '.Yes, sah, and I want to see what dey're doin' up in Columbia. !" "Why, they're hanging such fellows as you; 1 wouldn't give ten cents for your skin up there p said the donor. The ne- gro replied, If dey hang those that tell de truth. what do they do with those that tell lies?" A lady exclaimed, 70, let them go free p
 Add to this the two hours delay at Yem- assee, the dining station and junction of the Port Royal R. R., with ours, causing us to miss the southward bound train at Savannah. and you have the 'uninteresting record of Saturday, December 9th. Sunday morning in Savannah was bright and cold. How they bless this cold iu that beautiful but scourged city! We took long stroll through the shaded streets, the numerous parks, into the moss and ivy grown cemetery in the city's