The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-25
RALEIGH n. G., THURSDAY DECEMBER 25 1879

Towards noon, hunger and fatigue brought
on spell OF dizziness, the earth spinning
III great black circles; 80 that | realized the
necessity of obtaining food of some sort. and
measure Of rest. But it was not easy to
get food In that region without money.
Western Maryland Is mainly settled by
Pennsylvania Dutch "a thrifty class of
small farmers. who believe that the chief
end OF man Is 10 Gct, and the next best
commandment is to hocp. Here and there
a wealthy Southern family had lived (until
they tied to Virginia, or TO Baltimore but
the majority Of the existing population were
poor, ignorant, and truly loyal" 1t was
owing 10 this fact that SO small number Of
recruits joined Gen. Lee during his incur
slons through that section.
'DIRT-EATING."
vt length about noon. | staggered into a
far looking cottage, and told the inmates, -
young man and his sister-how exhausted
| was, and begged a little food. They
grumb!ed good deal about not keeping
hotel for strangers, but the woman after
much delay, spread an old petticoat this is
the exact TRUTH for table CLOTH and put
down saucer Of cold cabbage, half a ''pone'
Of coril-bread, few pickles, ETC.; a sluttish
mess of which even my tamished appetite
could endure only a few mOuthsfu. Yet
the wretches demanded half a dollar for
them. and So mortified me by their snarling
limitations that | was cheating them out of
a meals victuals, that | opened my valise
and gave them a heavy, chased silver, gold
lined cup, worth about So Birthday
| resent to me from my father. "'Reckon
its tcuth 1t, W?"-asked the girl. Bill
- lowed ct he haint got no money this'll
hev to do.
Then l ha>tened away. But in self-dc-
fence, let it be remembered. | was nearly
bro ken down, and exceedingly depressed,
seeing little hope of escape; and it seemed
hardly worth while Juggling the cup farther
to surrender it to some Yankee in the end
AT ROCKVILLE.
During the afternoon | reached Rockville
and called on Mr.. Bowie, a relative of Gov.
Oden Bowie, and fricrd of Senator
Bayard Though holding the position of
county attorney, he was strongly southern in
sentiment; and after fencing, lawyer ike.
for some time, he called me into his private
office, and became more confidential Yet
his conversation was discouragng in the last
degree. Gen. Banks he said, had stretched
his division all the way along the river from
G ain Bridge TO Harpcr's Ferry, the pick
cts b ing stationed between the canal and
the river TO protect the former from being
cut IF b. the Confederates, which would
deprive Washington Of one of its main
sources OF supply. To escape, should have
to swim the canal. dodge between the pick
cts, and then Sw IN the Potomac, nearly
miie wide. 'Buc | cannot swim at all -
will save yourself much useless fatigue and
by giving up the attempt
There i no use going farther west, because
YOU will be arrested before night. There
are half dozen troops Of cavalry patrolling
the region above here, and they will snap
you up on sight" To confirm his counsel
he called in wealthy farmer named Mike
W. who lived near the river, and said
there was no earthly chance of crossing at
that time as SO many young Marylanders
had gone South the Yankees were arresting
all strangers on suspicion, when found upon
the river roads. Too proud to admit to
these men. (who seemed nervous and half
af. al of my deceiving them that ] had not
r penny In my pocket, and was nearly fam
shed. | shook off their ''cold comfort and
babe adieu to Rockville to continue my
tramp. 1t was trying time to the
for my fine parlor- boots had become
mere sandals, held to the foot by strips of
handkerchief tied around them Sand and
gravel soon made every step sting OF pam
TRAVELLING ON SUNDAY.
At early dawn. unrcsted and breakfast
ess, | pursued my weary way, after hasty |
.blutions at a roadside rivulet. 1t was
ovely morning the whole face of Nature
efreshed by the rain, birds chirping in the
hrubbery, and little red squirrels frisklng |
long the fences and stopping to look back |
S if to challenge the big biped for a race; |
,ut alas the biped way-farer was fareing |