Smyrna times., 1877-07-11
VOLUME XXIII.---NO. 6.
For the Smyrna Times.
Leaves from My Journal.


moro advanced, the gardens and lawns
bright with gay and beautiful flowers. Twas
quite disappointed to find in Milwaukee no
signs of approaching summer. As l made
the greater part of the journey in the night
the transition was the more sudden. But
like all northern climates, the season
rushed from winter to summer, and while
my
-"heart weary waiting,
Waiting for the May,
Waiting for the pleasant rambleS,
Where the fragrant hawthorn brambles,
With the woodbine alternating,
Scent the dewy way"
the lawns and trees put on their beautiful
dress of softest green, shining as fair and
lovely as the sweet fields l left in the
South, and indeed surprising those, for the
grass at the South never wears that eXqui-
sitely soft, velvety appearance which the
lawns of the North present. Milwaukee is
very thriving city of one hundred thou
sand inhabitants. Though not the peer of
Chicago in commercial Importance, is not
far behind her for beauty of situation. 1t
is surrounded by good agricultural dis
trict which is of vital importance to a large
city. Her lake frontage is fine, and the
beautiful drives on its banks are pleasant
and inviting. And like Chicago the inhab-
itants are indebted to the lake for an
abundant supply of cold water throughout
the city. The great number of fine
churches show that the religious element is
not neglected, and the education of the
young is attended to is apparent from the
frequency of the public school buildings,
and taking into account all things there
are but few cities that have visited whose
attractions are superior to this. His honor
Major Butler, with whom became some
what acquainted, is man after the peo-
ple's own heart, generous in sympathy and
with his purse, he is uncomonly popular
as the chief magistrate, and is talked of as
the candidate Of the Democratic party for
the office of Governor.
There are very many pleasant little vii
lagos that we pass through on our way tc
Chicago. One was singularly beautiful and
deserves a romantic name. 1t is truly q
city in the forest. The streets are broad
ami extend as far as the eye can reach
while in every direction elegant dwelling,
and fine churches peer above the dense
growth of the forest, which appears to bt
very extensive, and looking off in the dis
tance turrets and observatories peep ou
from among the dark foliage, indicating
that this forest city extends far back int
its wilderness home. At Chicago l took
sleeping car and passed through northern
Indiana in the night. Ohio is more lik
New England or northern New York thai
any of the Western States through which
have passed. The surface is undulatin
and hilly. The wheat looked well, an
the immence clover fields on either han
waiting sweet perfumes on the passin
breeze, alternating with verdant orchard
clothed with those quiet and lovely tint
which nature spreads on, with such a ma
ter hand combined to give great beaut
and variety to the scene. The so
through this State is fertile and the field
well cultivated. There are many NOR
farm houses of brick than we usually fin
in the West, and all the surroundings ar
harmonious and picturesque. AS we spe
through the many cities and villages | wa
struck with the evidence of thrift in tn
variety Of mechanical and other industrie
Belaire is large, and | should think woul
be delightful town were it not for til
smoke that envelopes it. There are {
many furnaces in operation that the blac
smoke from their chimneys is like gloom
pail thrown over a bright picture. I'll
cars pass through the town on high trestl
which bring them on level with the u
per stories of the houses. Then direct
ACROSS high bridge thatspans the Ohio rive
which is as muddy here as it is lower dow
when | spent two days on it coming mort
The conductor informed me that ii
train would not go through the CumbC
land Mountains in the day time and q
vsed me to stop over night at Grafton,
West Virginia. We arrived there about
o'clock, and he very kindly escorted 1
to the Grafton House, very well ke
hotel, where was pleasantly and comfo
ably entertained. This town of four tho
sand inhabitants, famous Cor nothing
particular, is like a bright gem nestl
among the green hills. The Tiger Vail,
bright little stream meanders through
on its way to the Monongohela. Here [
Chicago and st. Louis divisions of the +
timore & Ohio road unite After traveli
many thousand miles through fat 0
mountainous scenery this varied and e
changeful panorama burst upon my vi
was perfectly enchanted and held sp
bound through the entire day. This W
derful road, so skillfully constructed
the side of the mountain, follows
curves of the river with such fidelity t
one feels almost dizzy with the swagg
produced by the doubling and turni
There are SO many places where the mo
tain comes down with bold front Of si1
eighty, and sometimes one or two hund
feet. They could neither go over
under, therefore were obliged to go throu
In distance of eighty-four miles we
fhrorvh ftvaufu.thrao f,,rroI. eox,-o