Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-22
A TRIP TO SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.
Correspondence of The Star.]

Correspondence OF Ihe STAR
SAND LAKE, MICH, August 10th, 1879.
Being sadly in need Of rest, and desiring to
obtain some haven where could really enjoy
myself for a month or more, l, at the suggestion
OF friend, decided upon trip to Southern
Michigan. Leaving Washington on the 1890
a. m. train OF the B. & PR r., on the 4th day OF
August, l after a pleasant ride, arrived at
Adrian, Mich, the next night about 1913
o'clock here was in IA OF q,at dliemma t
familiar animal known as the hack drive
/ could neither see, hear, or smell one
anywhere; Wondering how should Il, get my my
Lawrence, my destination for the night, |, In
all but cheerful frame OF mind. took a look
around the depot, and nearing tne tlnkllnS OF a
would compare favOrably with the man In the
convent that Dumas describes in his lies Mis-
erables,' except that the bell was:attached to
pair OF horses. This gentleman was buStly en-
gagged In piling trunks upon tWo-hOrse wagon,
and upon Informing him sof my trouble he re-
leved me from all further difficulty and vindi-
it was ''sort OF cool shake on the partof cabby.
He guessed there must be shin-dig some
where, but If didn't mind climb could get
right up on top Of his load OF trunks and he
would shave me thar in q shake AS 1t was
choice between
A CLIMB AND A WALK
Of mile and a-half thought l would climb SO
] gladly accepted his offer. Upon my arrival at
the Lawrence House was welcomed by one OF
the best Of hosts, Mr.. Dwight Whitney. In the
morning began to think OF continuing on my
journey, as the friends expected to meet had
preceded me to this place. Upon inquiry |
learned, to my dismay, that the stage that
makes spaSmOdic trips to the lake had gone the
bad gone 'iup country after load OF eggs for
shipment, / would have to wait several days or
else walk 16 miles. Ugh! think Of it, IL miles with
again my good fortune stood by me in the form
of the leading physician of Adrian, Doctor
stephenson, who learning OF my difficulty, with
that goodness of heart for which he Is noted,
rendered me the use OF one OF his horses and
buggy, and accompanied me IL miles on the
road, so that could not get astray, which l
certainly should have done had attempted to
go alone. After thanking the doctor for his
kindness continued on, and arrived safe and
sound upon the shores of
SAND LAKE.
Here / found dozen or more OF the first
families OF Adrian occupying their cottages for
the summer, and searching out the doctors
cottage delivered the vehicle to the rightrul
owners l found the doctors family had recog-
Welcome, m bGt inst instead welcomed s a!S1 stranger @
My destination was the farther Side of the lake,
and the youngest son. Eddie, a gentleman of
IA years or more, rendered me his boat and
rOwed me across where l arrived just In time
for supper at the Hotel de Sand Lake. This
lake is one Of about dozen that abound within
circuit OF 25 to 80 miles, aud Is one Of the
prettiest sheets OF water have ever seen, being
about one and half to two miles wide and or
around, encircled by high hills, covered with
oaks and few minor trees and its bosom cover
The hotel is run by Sidney Decker who with his
first lieutenant and son, Sumner Decker, or as
he is known everywhere by the cognomen OF
"Chubb " do all In their power to furnish enjoy
two daughters, with the assistance Of two hand
maidens, "the blonde" and the "brunette," )"
preside over the cooking department, and have
all is Dell Wheeler, the hostler. He possesses a
remarkable memory, and his reputation is
known throughout southern Michigan. Dell has
frequently from hundred to two hundred
horses In his barn, yet he never gets the wrong
horse hitched to wrong buggy.
HOW VIZ AMUsE OURSELVES AT SAND LAKE.
There is plenty OF amusement here. Our
host, or as he Is called "Sd !" has l3 or Is boats
of all kinds, which are at the disposal OF his
guests; bowling alley, which affords amuse-
ment to the ladies' Of the house and the COT
tages on the other side; then the Deckers are all
good musicians, can sing and play on any In
strument. Every few days there is regular
old-fashioned country dance, over which 1.-The
Decker Minstrel Troupe" preside, with "sid"
and girls to their work till the wee small hours
to the inspiring tunes OF 'Money Musk" and
the "Arkansas Traveller"
THE CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY
Every one goes around wearing blue flannel
shirt and a broad brim straw hat OF the COM
monest kind appeared on the scene wearing
billed" shirt and collar. but my friends seized
Without changing that shirt. Sunday you can
dress as you please, but the rest Of the week
you have to conform to custom.
1t would delight the heart OF the disciples of
|. Walton, esq.,, to see the black bass and other
fish hauled out every day.
What strikes the stranger first is the famil-
there are no "Misters" here % Every ~ one is IS
known as Tom, Dick or Harry; the hired men
or girls are on an equality with all, and have
thelr say with the master or mistress, and the
No Nfcoo o1on,,f
disrespect, but simply the way. Sunday Is the
great day here. All the cities and the surround
Ing country for 20 miles contribute their share
OF "folks,' who drive out here, fish, row or
bathe, stay to dinner and then In the cool of
the evening return.
To me 1t was surprising to see the fine "turn-
upon Investigation found that the farmers Of
this portion OF the country keep nothing but
DlCoded stock, and 1t Is matter of rivalry be-
tween them as to the best; they are mostly
wealthy, and their farms are such that they
may well be proud. have yet to see poor
farm.
specifically they are mostly republicans of the
SfalWart kind, and look on "Old Zach" as a
sort of demi-god Yet they don't go around
talking politics, but when the time comes to
vote they are there.
party OF the boys arc on the old fashioned
porch, one playing guitar, two, violins, and
anod,e anotner mouth mouth organ, while some one is
up with fishing parties spearing fish. We'll
good night dear STAR, keep faithful watch over
the loveliest City OF the union. DRoL.
REVISION OF THE RULES OF THE House OF
REPREsBNTAT1vEs-TheC Congressional commit
tee on revision OF the rules OF the House of Rep
resentat1ves, In session at the Elberon Hotel,
Long Branch, during the past ten days, have
nearly completed their labors The report of
the committee will be presented at the meeting
OF congress next December. The work SO far
mas resulted In thorough revision of the rules
OF order OF the House, and when finished win be
complete In their object. The existing rules are
system OF patchwork, having undergone no
general revision since the first Congress- Tne
present revision Will present complete mOdif-
cation, correct classification and sfmplification
In qualified form. The main results of the
labor Of this committee, If adopted, win be to
give the majority OF the House the complete
control OF Its business at all times The
morning hour Will be devoted exclusively
TO the reception OF reports from commit
tees, IN regular order which will be re-
ferred and printed, without debate, and are not
TO come back On motion OF reconsideration All
matters OF legislation Will then come up for de-
bate and action in regular order on the proper
calendars. This modification is recommended
to prevent the morning hour from being ex-
hausted Dy debate on any one report and to
pIeclp1tate the reception OF committee reports
without interfering with the regular business OF
The House. This is an outline OF the work OF the
committee: MIR. Frye left yesterday and Mr.
Garfield Wednesday. These gentlemen Wer ,