Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-08-09
OUR TRIP.

WEDNESDAY,, July 18th, we left
home on a visit east, having arrang-
ed our business and labors i'll such Il
way rs to give us leave of absence
for q few weeks.
The route from here to Harrisburg
is so familiar to most of our readers
that we deem description of it here
superfluouS. Yet, who will question
that the scenery from LewiSburg
senth is very romantic and enchant-
ing$ Following the broad and plac-
III Susquehanna, YOU have one of the
finest streams in the country in full
view all the time. The hiily shores
with its fine woodlands and neat
towns enchance the beauty of the
panorama&s you pass swiftly by.
At Harrisburg we had Il few spare
hours which we improved 10y seeing
what is TO be seen on Capitol Hill
and in the public buildings. Our old
friend, Maj. Forster, showed It's
through the several departments,
the State Library. Flag Room, etc.
The flag Of the 148 z. ", like the
brave men over whom it floated Cor
three long yealS of bloody warfare,
has seen much hard service. a few
shreds is All that is left Of the proud
emblem.
There is much to be seen at Har-
risburg, Of interest to one of stu
dious turn of mind. Quaint old do
cumentS. war trophies and relics in
nnmerable, are here preserved. \
few days, instead of a few hours,
could be spent here not only pleas
antly, but profitably; but our time
was limited, we had 70 leave. Bid
ding our kind guide, the Maj. adieu,
we sped on to Hummelstown, ten
miles below Harrisburg, ,on the Leb-
anon Valley road. This is one of
the many antiquated, slow and sure
Pennsylvania German towns, with
which the eastern part Of the OLD
Keystone is literally dotted. The
west end of the town, which is touch
ed by the rail road. is becoming mo
dernized in its buildings and in its
general appearance. In brisk times
HummelStown does good business
in Brown Stone, of which there
seems to be an ineXhaustable qlIan-
tity about mile from town. Many
of the finest churches, public build
ings and palatial residences in Penn
sylvania, were one day buried in the
hills Just back of HummelStown.
From HummelStOwn to Reading
YOU pass through Cne of the finest
agricultural sections in Pennsylva-
MIA, If not in the United States.
There is an air of neatness and order
prevailing that challenges the admi-
ration of the traveller. No stumps.
StoneheapS, brush or rubbish are
suffered to cucumber the ground or
offend the eye. In passing through
the far-famed Lebanon Valley it is
indeed difficult to realize that there
is absolute want and starvation in
the country.
We pass Anryille, Palmyra, Leb-
anon, Myerstown, Womelsdorf and
Sinking Springs in rapid succession
and come to Reading, and here we
stop. Who could pass the beautiful
city on the romantic Schuvlkill,
though stranger in the place To
us Reading is doubly dear, for in
and around it cluster many of our
earliest and most sacred recolIec-
tions. Reading is great rail road
and manufacturing centre, and in
line public buildings, splendid
churches and elegant private resid-
ences, is far in advance of any city
approaching it in population, in
Pennsylvania. Reading has most
delightful surroundings. The Schuvl-
kill with its miniature steamers; the
Charles Evans Cemetery; the Water
Works, and Mineral Springs, are all
places where one will fondly dwell.
Especially did we fall in love with
the Mineral Springs, a cool, shady
retreat behind Penn's Mountain, so
quiet and retired, SO plain and rust
ic, and yet so beautiful, that we I'M
agIned Ourself among the lesser Alps
Of Switzerland. We left the lovely
spot with regret. Readings good peo-
pie are hospitable and social as you
seldom find them anywhere. 1t has
large European German element.
and so it could not we'll be other
wise. II is said too, that the exceH-
ent quality and exhaustless quantity
OF her beer, together with the large
size of her pretZels, have a sort of
magical effect In fostering a genial
fellOw-feeling between neighbors
and friends. On this point, how
ever, we cannot vouch, but whoever
is unwilling to credit our hearsay
evidence, had better go and see for
himself.
From Reading we went to York,
where we had not been for twenty
five years. York is large town,
rather than a city, very wealthy, it
seems to us, but not very enterpris-
ing. The Pennsylvania German ele-
ment largely predominates, and the
good Workers make up in substance
what they lack in outward show.
We could fraternize with the people
of York very well and felt quite at
home there, and will gratefully re-
member the many kindnesses receiv-
ed. York is noted for it's excellent
market and fine churches, prominent