Connecticut western news., 1878-09-05

Lul oL tue bteLu Tehlltleb tph' puhhC tnO tn@ terial world outside. Stepping outside the Parlor, we stand upon broad natural pi' sZza, backed up for distance of about hf- ty feet by perpendicular wall fifteen feet high, and fronting the narrow and broken Pequonnock stream, aud the rocky bill on the opposite side, studded with oak trees, whose gnsrled roots crawling oyer the moss | covered rocks, resemble serpents backing in the summer sun. Crossing tue stream from rock 10 rock, we mount the hill, and come upon narrow path way, which we follow back, and recross the stream by a> rsilsd ot-bridge, immediately over romantic little waterfall, suggesting miniHtuFe Nt- agara and suspension bridge. A stroll over the grounds reveals ample accommodation for the diversion of couples Croquet grounds, swings, delightful benches under shady trees-just big enough for two; ice cream and lemonade stands, shady walks, and everything that can be desired, or that tends to ''drive away dull care" A few rods to the east of .he pavilion, active prep rations were going on for the grand feature of the day, vz.-the bake, which was under the supervision of Prof. Chss. D. Merwin and hIs worthy assistant, Joseph Hughes, of Milford Point, Ct., and which excited considerable interest from a large number of the picnickers, to whom it was | novel spectacle. bed of stones about 5xI0 feet square and foot high was built, on which roaring fire was kindled and kept up until the stones had attained rcd heat, when the coals were raked off and the hot bed covered with slight layer of sea. weed, on which were deposited 50 bushels of clams, 1, ,5O0 ears of corn in busks and about five barrels of sweet potatoes the whole covered over with sea-weed, and . large canvas spread over the pile, which was lett to bake for about twenty min- utes, when they were examined and clam bakers. ...r
 About II l.2 a. m. the excursion train from Bridgeport, consisting of sevtn cars, and run by Conductor Martin Lsnc, arrived, bringing Supt. Brown, Treas. Averill aud other officials of the road and at I3 2p. m. the multitude assembled ut the pavilion, where Supt. Brown, after giving few an- nouncemen,s as to the time of returning trains, extended to them, in behalf of tue Housatonic Railroad Company, hearty welcome 10 ths, their second annual gath ering. and congratulated them upon the fa- vorable circumstances, unt CT which they were privileged to come together. Many cbanges have been wrought since last year; some deaths have occurrt d. but zee have yet been spared. He did not propose to take up much time iu speech. making, and il was his pleasure to introduce one who had oIt n come to the rescue of the road, and who would nuw come to his rescue, and his hearers relict he referred 10 tho veteran
 treasurer of the rond, Mr. Charles K. Av. erin. ..s .. Mir. Averll came forward and faced his audience, and remarked that if they expect ed him to make long speech in plain siRi [ of that big clum-bake, they wou,d be disap. pointed. He dwelt upon railroads as na- tional necessity they stimulate commerce, agriculture and prosperity. The managers, friends and all interested in the Housatonic Railroad, have no cause to be ashamed of their road sixteen years ago. or dating back to his first connection with the road, the stock was worth but 80 and 40 cents now It is worth lo7. During the past l6 years he, as treasurer, had paid out ss dividends on stock, the sum of $l.S57 ,OO0., and dur ing the past years 1t has paid regularly 8 per cent. diyiderds per annum. He con cluded with cautoning the multitude to par take moderately of the clam feast, and re- cited the pathetic words of the poet:
 eff you'd rest well at night
 Let your supper of clans be light;
 Or else you'll complain
 Of "a stomach in pain"
 At the conclusion of Mir. As. remarks the clam. bake was drawn. The canvas was pulled'back from one end, and soon the pile was urroulded by hungry crowd of men, women and children, equipped with pails, pots, kettles, pans, paper boxes, and everything that would serve the pur. pose was in active demand and it required strenuous measures on the part of police man, to prevent the starving crowd from merging into rabble, so great was their fear of losing their share.
 In the afternoon Roadmsster John Lane and George Brown of Bridgeport, ever on the alert for opportunity to enhance the comfort and pleasure of guests. instituted a sack'race, tub-race and wheelbarrow-r w-race. Two prizes were offered for tue sack-race, Grof If &0 and of En cents. There were five competitors, the distance 10 be run being about 100 feet. The first prize was taken by Sam Johnson, 8 brakeman on the H. R. R., the second by Thomas Hackett of New York. The tub race, for a prize of $2. was contested by Hackett and little fellow about. 10 years of age, named Burt Coldng, in which the alter came off victorious. There were hree entries for the wheelbarrow race for prize of $2, which was taken by Sam. Johnson, the winner of the ssck-race.
 At precisely o'clock the return train for 'ittsfeld was at the platform, and grand tanpede for good seats began, each re. nembering the uncomfortable experience f the morning. and soon the train was vhrling up the Housatonic Valley. carry ng load of weary and worn. but delighted nd satiated pleasure-seekers and finders, Tn their anticipations of anoth- r good time next year.
 Nothing occurred to mar the harmony of le occasion; everything passed off with le regularity of clock-work, and Supt. rown is to be congratulated upon the com etely successful carrying-out of the sec-