The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-01-10

lightful June-like day to r1de along
over fine roads and enjoy the lovely
panorama before Us. ALI too soon the
word is given TO leave the carriage and
climb. 1t is fstiguing to climb the
steep mountain side, but the view will
repay US, and we gaze in silent awe
and wonder at the scene presented to
our view. at our feet the river runs
swiftly by, and we Il; on the bough OF
the tree where the lovers sat many
years ago, and queried why they could
not have remained true to each other,
then that fatal plunge would not have
been given, and visitors would not be
81 anxious to climb TO such heights to
witness the spot which beheld the sep
aration of two noted lovers. The farms
in tae valley 600 feet below US look so
peaceful and serene, nestled, as they
are, mid the hills which seem to shell
tex them from the rude tempests; and
the cattle grazing below look like
mere toys. Here We gather the bright
red bean from the mountain laurel ;
and, as time is precious, we leave re-
gretfully, and a short drive brings US
to Seiders's spring, where one of the
finest collations ever placed before
US was nicely served by Mr.. Lau-
raine. The thirteenth of December
would be rather late for a picnic
at home, but here we found it
too warm for even the light wraps with
which we had provided ourselves; and
the sun shown warmly down, as if to
show US what delightful picnics they
can have down here the whole winter
through. Full justice was done to the
tempting vIands, for the climbing and
then the surprise of the outdoor dir
ner had given US an excellent appetite.
Mr.. w. X. Sullivan returned thanks
for our party, and when we were in
Vited TO come and lunch again, Judge
! Cooley remarked that if this was a
lunch, we would like to take dinner
with them some time. The next thing
on the programme was a ride through
the city across the river, and view
from the bluff, which showed Us what
a beautiful city we were visiting.
Reaching home Che hotel is our home)
in time for tea, we find an invitation
from the Library Association to a
musical entertainment gotten up In our
behalf, and it was well worthy the
crowded room and attentive audience.
In the evening a very LARGO number
| of ladies and gentlemen assembled to
| prove the welcome which had been ex-
tended to US, and here the autograph
albums were again brought out, and
the names of many new friends will
be read with pleasure in future years,
IS we recall the faces and scenes of the
past. Stealing from the busy crowd, a
friend accompanies me to the court
room, where l listen for O short time to
the closing arguments of the noted
Ham trial. and beheld the culprit as he
sits quietly unconscious-one would
think to observe him-of the great
guilt of which he is accused. Return
ing, we hear Judge Cooley, in few
words, thank the library Association
for their courtesy, and in the name of
the excursion party presented the pres
ident of the Association with a purse
of 800, which was responded to by
the president. With many regrets we
bid adieu to cur new friends, and hope
they may give us the opportunity to
show how much we appreciate the
kindness so freely extended. Friday
morning comes all too soon, and we
leave the hospitable city of Austin
mid cheers and waving handkerchiefs,
| and / might almost add tears, for our
visit was delightful, and every one so
kind.