Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-06-22

way through partarre of wild flowers and
was gradually lost in some dense foliage as
though seeking 10 break the monotony of
its luxurious freedom-it was in the small
hours Of the afternoon in little grove of
pine and maple, which overlooked con-
tracted but romantic meadow land, on the
edge a gushing spring We prepared for a
light lunch. As we watched the drippings
of this pure beverage which God brewed
deep down in the earth, and sent bubbling
to the surface with DEMONSTRATING proper
ties, from the moss covered roots and stones
into little reservoir the size of our hat and
thence creeping through bed of fern leaves
and crow-foot to the stream at the base of
the knoll, we could but exclaim, il impaired
no sting, IL carried no sorrow, it made no
orphans or widows, it instigated no crime,
and yet with these facts manifest, in oppo-
sition TO our better judgment, we deliber-
ately administer dose or beverage which
poisons our mind, units us for the enjoy
mcnt of the refined pleasures of existence,
introduces contention and discord where
love and harmony should dwell and in the
end brings us TO premature grave.
With the deepening of the evening shadows
we were forcibly reminded that in the long
ago, when we were boys, about this hour of
the afternoon we usually started for the
cows. AT that period there were large tracts
of waste or uncultivated land, generally
called "old fields" lands that were repre-
sented to have been exhausted from a con-
secutive cropping of tobacco and corn. We
generally started early for we would spend
an hour or so in the cherry trees or wild
strawberry patches, and when upon some
elevated position we would listen for the
"Klingle, klangle, klingle,
Far down the dusty dingle"
OF the old COW bell, and we could tell its
note with as much ease as the eve does the
bleating of its lamb. If we came home
without the cows, we got a can of sour
milk and piece of cold corn-bread and
was sent TO bed. The next morning before
the crows and the cat-birds were out we
were again on our way for the cows and
we knew better than TO come home without
them if 1t took the balance of the summer.
These lands to which we have referred could
at that period have been purchased from
$1,25 to $3.50 per acre. Guano had not been
introduced, if so, it was about in its infancy,
manipulated fertilizers were unknown, lime
was but little used, indeed we do not re-
member of but two lime kilns then in ex-
istence in the county, one on the farm of
the late Zachariah Gatten, now owned by
Mr.. Samuel Jones, and the other on the
river estate of the late Dr. John w. Amber
son. Clover fields were but few and far be-
tween in this section of the county.
But what a change few years have de-
veloped. Under the steady enterprise and
industry of our people with the assistance
of modern appliances these lands have been
reclaimed, fenced, drained and put under a
high state Of cultivation. The last twenty
years have satisfactorily demonstrated that
agricultural pursuits are not only lucrative,
but dignifed and ennobliug. The young
men of the present day who stand at the
pillow and drive their own wagons and
reapers are the sovereigns of the land. They
give tone and character to society as they are
the great safeguards of the institutions of
the country-whilst the dudes and kid glove
gentry and the balance of similar charac.
ter of mushroom growth, who part their
hair in the middle in order TO balance the
little brains they have, sport for a while
like butterflies and then pass from the pub.
lie as they are lost to the pity that the
Almighty ever created such vacuums
The further development of prosperity de-
ponds on mutual acquaintance between the
citizens OF all parts Of the county-con-
tinued industry and discipline at home and
the onward progress of education, not for.
getting that intellectual, apart from moral
culture, is, however, to be feared rather than
encouraged, il teaches, indeed, how 10 rear,
but It is pewerless to perpetuate. One great
evil which is now extending over the en-
tire land, and which we have much reason
to apprehend is doing much harm, is the
Hood of fictitious writings which are being
introduced into every community, a char
acter of literature which tends 10 vitiate tile
taste, waste the time and enfeeble the mind
Heavy responsibility rests upon those who
write for the public. Tutors OF the world,
they may not lightly assume nor thought.
lessly discharge very important office
Every line found wanting in moral tone
should be instantly erased. Incalculabe
evil may follow It's publication-for in that
the DEPRIVED find countenance, and the
young example and encouragement A bad
thought uttered in print is not addressed 10
a single individual, but 10 the whole com.
munity.
The pile of manuscript before us indicates
that we have exhausted our space. II was
only when the pale rays of young moon
were struggling through broken clouds, that
we leit the fields and woods. The night was
blessed with bright visions of the pleasure
comfort aud independence of life in the
country. and which rested over us as gently
as a drift of rose-leaves wayers In the air he.
fore summer shower, or as a wreath of
rosy mist fits before the grandeur of a
storm.
Near Potomac, June goth.
Hon. Thomas l.. Tullock, city postmaster