Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-09-12
On the Boundary Line.

Suddenly comes the thought that through
the medium of the TELEGRAPH may send
some message thither, and that, perhaps,
some may be interested in our sojourn on
this boundary line made by the Dutch and
English so many years ago.
You remember how this line juts out,
seeming to follow no law but that of its
wayward fancies. Well, in the most east
ern corner of the longest of those
innumerable points, which New York
shoots into Connecticut, is Lewisboro.
With Connecticut on the north, east and
south of US we proudly subscribe ourselves
from Westchester Co., n. Y.
To me the greatest wonder of this eoun-
try is the abundant harvest of. stones that
may be gathered at any season. The hill
sides are moss covered lodges of stone; the
streets have natural pavements, even in
the woods there is no turf, but the trees
spring from smooth bed of rock. Stone
walls in many places, almost covered with
luxuriant grape vines, are the only fences.
Were a geologist, should certainly have
hammered at rocks, and talked science all
summer. Were l an artist l should have
given the world rayishing pictures Of these
vine clad rocks, surmOunted by ruined old
cottages, which imagination could easily
transform into chateauS. Had l but the
power to find Sermons in stones, might
have supplied the world this summer with
such an amount of them that every
worn out pastor might have rested
from his labors. But being only an ordin-
sry mortal, stones are to me IS unprotita-
BILE in their mental and moral, as in their
physical characteristics.
The people, as natural consequence,
have assimilated themselves to the stony
soil, and possess as their principal charac-
teristics, hardness, impenetrability, tenac-
ity and durability. They never emigrate,
but the old farms pass down from father
to son for centuries. The house which we
occupy had belonged to one family TOR a
hundred wears, but our city friends have
so rejuvenated it, with mansard roof, bay
windows, &C., that it has we'll nigh lost its
ancient character, aad therefore, its claim
of belonging to Lewisboro. It seems al
most incredible, that while the great me
SlOPOAAS hcS 5OAiD SASAA q NoAH bAONS
metamorphosis, that view taken in 1776
is utterly unrecognizable there, within fifty
miles a community remains unchanged;
yet not absolutely. We must advance or
retrograde; and fifty years ago the adjacent
field, now planted with corn, boasted a
tavern, before whose doors the New York
and Boston stage coach was accustomed to
halt. Verify one of the glOries of Lewis
boro has departed. As the New York and
Boston stage is no longer in existence, per-
haps you wonder how we ever found this
antediluYian settlement. Surely no rail-
road has been allowed to penetrate its sa-
cred solitude All no! We are six miles
from any station, and long before the six
miles are traVersed, preserved fossils give
place to human beings.
1t was on June morning that we whizz-
ed out of the Grand Central Depot, on the
N. Y. and New Haven R. R. 1 can not
give very vivid descrip ption Of the scenery,
as our way lay mostly underground. After
tunneling it about an hour and quarter, we
alighted at Stamford, where we found an
engine and passenger car waiting to carry
us to New Canaan. If any vision of
promised land FLOWING with milk and
honey" comes to your mind, o, sentimental
reader, Danish it at once. New Canaan is
merely dilapidated little village contain
ing one or two pretentious residences. But
beyond New Canaan is our famous six mile
drive.
As for the first time we wend our way
over these Connecticut hills, passing many
pleasant country residences, that Of Rogers,
the sculptor, being among them, and many
more old shingled farm houses, with the
inevitable we'll sweep in front from which
hangs ''the moss covered bucket" we
were charmed with the view, and our
charm has not diminished since. The six
miles was one perpetual ascent. At the
summit, on the boundary line, we stopped.
Twelve miles to the south, the clear waters
of the sound, and the blue shores of Long
Island beyond, were plainly visible. Elgh
teen miles to the west rolled the noble Hud-
son, and the rocky palisades looked to US
like grim sentinels watching over the beau
tiful valley. Between US and the river
could be caught the giimmer of transpar-
ent lakes nesting among the hills. Around
and above all these was the sky from which
the sun was slowly sinking down behind
the palisades, tinging every hillside, lake
and forest, with the glory of departing day.
Being musically inclined, one of our first
desires was for piano, and our first jaunt
was made in search Of one. At a. m. we
sailed forth, nor did DuChaillu in his first
penetration of an African forest in. search
of a gorilla ever experience more excite
ment and Importance than we going piano.
hunting, and about to explore regions to-
tally unknown to us, If not to all eivilza-
tion. Stamford was our first destination.
We had had no glimpse of the old town
save from the depot, and quite enjoyed
rambling through it, though what attFac-
tions it could possess for its numerous
summer boarders, that would reconcile
them to becoming victims to the fever and
ague which there reigns supreme, we could
not imagine. Of course, we explored the
piano establishments but were quite re-
IieYed to find that they had nothing fit to
offer us, for we were loath to leave the eX-
citing chase so soon. In an hour we were
again on our way. Danbury was our farth-
est point. We resolved to proceed thither
at once, and upon our arrival-after three
or four hours Of travel, and three changes
of carS-hsd the consolation Of learning
that we were within thirteen miles of our
starting point, having very nearly COM
pleted the circumference Of circle. We
felt perfectly convinced that every bit Of
the world is round. Danbury is a charm
ing place-it satisfied our aesthetic crav-
ings by providing us with fine piano; it
appeased our physical appetites with an
abundance of cake and cream; our literary
longings were gratifed by peep into the
den of the world-renoWned ''Danbury News
Man," while our artistic senses were de-
lighted with every street, house and lawn
in the town. But how soon we were COM
PEELED to leave Danbury. and again endure
the heat, dust and cinders of railroad
train. At Norwalk we again alighted.
1t is no doubt beautiful city, but at two
p. m. beneath the burning rays Of a July
sun we were in no mood to appreciate its
beauties, and were glad to leave them be-
hind us. At Stamford we were doomed to
wait three terrible hours. What could be
done to kill time-the old tyrant who is to
blame for so many evils in this world?
The rays of the sun were shining more OBJ
liquely. We would walk to the Sound.
Crowds Of gaily dressed people were on the
beach yachts and rowboats hoYered around,
but heeding none of them we selected a
quiet nook and throwing ourselves down
on the rocks idly watched the sun go down
an1 the tide come in. 1t was the pleasant
est railroad waiting lever experienced, and
regretfully we turned our footsteps toward
the train that was to bear us back again to
the boundary line. Arm.
First Arrival.