Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-25

ALMA, MO-, september 10. 1850.
EDITOR NTELLIGENCER: - About four hours
ago l vas sitting in conductor L.. ID. Fosters
caboese-Once in charge of Mr.. C~hristy-side-
tracked between Bates City and Oak Grove, and
as l couldn't get either way for an hour or so
L wanted TO strike u hotel the worst kind. it then
being the dinner hOur-I took up my pencil TO
drop yOu a few lines.
l was in Oak Grove yesterday, and was agree
ably surprised in the size of the place. When l
got there l felt just as l do now-hungry-so l
asked where the hotel Was. My informant, an
elderly gentleman. pointed it out, and remark
ed, ''at that house, my youthful friend'-here
l felt my Notwithstanding know how. from
the raw material, to serve viands which will
give gustatory relish. Good evening" dis
covered that the old gentleman had spoken truly,
and after q hearty meal and u nights rest, l
started Tor home. Sitting there. AS have said.
with nothing to eat, nothing to read, and nothing
to do. l determined to write to you; und
as soon as 1 put The resolution into effect, it
occurred to me that 1 have never heard or
read of any one fonder OF writing letters
than m~ysclf-eAcept Mr.. Wilkins Micuwber.
Beside continually '.waitiug for something TO
turn up.'' the letters of that individual were
characterized by the request of Il "small loan, !"
for which he gave an 81. o. u" Now, I'D
give some solid wealth, fusion, grcenDack. gold
silver or copper, for something to eat, whether
it be ''gustatoriai" or not. being mere particu-
lar, just now, about the quantity than the
quality.
1 have passed through some lovely country
and see everywhere, strong evidence OF pros.
perity. The towns through which | passed seem
to he thriving, and stock ana grain Shipment
appear quite largeSaI all the points along the
line, even the smaller ones making good ship
ngeIts.
In conversation with Il gentleman on the train
who Is in the employ of the company, l Learned
that the company cut down the weeds along til,
track once y year, for which they paid 81 pc
mile. This division OF the road-fi ON Mexico
to Kansas City-is one hundred and sINty-tire,
miles long, and the amount annually eNpendet
for cutting the weeds down is 81, l4l. This i
quite u handsome sum.
The local Irelghts have speed recorders in tn,
cabooses, which accurately measure tn,
number of miles one is travelling per hour
Any one who understands them can tell ut wha
rate he is travelling. 1t is a wond erlul device
surely, but is too deep for me.
When | got here l proceeded to attend to tn,
business which brought me, and after 1t had brel
transacted, 1 was enjoying Il social chat whel
49, 'eItNf ''' ~ W. tIoi
the air. "A concord of sweet sounds it was
I assure you, and vending my way thlther, with
another hungry individual, GEO. Hereford nigh
operator of The Chicago u Alton ut IIiggiusville
the hotel was soon reached. But few minute
were required to satisfy my appetite. and evel
then | was lOtn to leave the table. l found upol
1t not only a variety OF food, but it was OF u goo
quality. Mr.. o.. ii. T.. CatrOn. or ''Pcrry, - II
he is more familiarity called. is the proprietor q
the hotel, and If ever any one who stops wit
him goes away hungry, it is that PERSONS fault
Alma is but Il small place, yet it does consider
able business. Though not SO large nor old II
some other points on the Chicago u Alien.
promises TO grow AS rapidly rs most of them
and preparations are making Tor the erection G
several new buildings. l wish for Alma an
her people continued growth anu prosperity
and may every citizen in it find that his judS
ment was not at fault when he embarked in bu
siness here. Yours, SAM.