The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-08-30


With but two ways to cross, either by
wading and carrying their wheels on their
backs, or to boldly ride through, they
summoned up their faith and courage and
succeeded in crossing all in safety, with no
other damage than wet feet. At Wood
stock the Shenandoah House was made
headquarters. Here at dinner a very in
telligent gentleman, who seemed much i'm
pressed with the marvellous powers of the
bicycle, inquired: ''Why do you not ride
on the railroad track ? You would GER
tainly find it much smoother riding than
on the turnpike" Our friends informed
him that the railroads were as rule in the
hands of monopolists, who would allow
nothing on their tracks except their own
rolling stock without the payment of large
sums of money for the privilege, and there
fore bicycle riders had as yet found it
cheaper to stick to the turnpikes. After
dinner the president and secretary visited
the old Court House, where they learned
that there is voting population of $500
in the county, and only 140 colored voters;
that the county offices are filed by Read
justers, and that the county will be carried
for Blaine in November Woodstock, by
the by, is the home of U. S. Senator Rid
dleberger. While sitting in front of the
hotel after dinner two of the Poyneer men,
who had followed us up the road from
Strasburg, came over from the other hotel
and told the boys that they had tried to
overtake them ON the road to haul the
wheels up hill for them. Before leaving
Woodstock visit was paid to the large
store of Mr., T. B. Richey, formerly of
Sans Greek, Carroll county. Mr.. Richey
seemed much pleased to hear from his ac-
quaintances in his old home, and sent back
well-wishes to the ADVOCATE and all his
friends in Carroll.
Here a great many people visited the
hotel to look at the bicycles, which to many
of them were a great curiosity. A large
crowd was present at 3 o'clock, p. m, to
see the mount The high wind which
prevailed in the morning had fallen, and,
although very hilly, the road was found
smooth and hard. For about four miles
Cedar Greek, about one-half mile to the
east, was almost constantly in sight, wind
ing around the foot Of lofty mountains.
The land in this section seemed more fer
tile and in better state of cultivation.
Handsome farm houses and barns told of
its productiveness Coasting Il long hill to
Cedar Greek, a steam threshing machine
was seen in model farm yard, and its
shrill whistle was answered by the tourists
whistles.
Edinburg, pleasant little town of 800
inhabitants, 6 miles distant from Wood
stock, was reached at $50 o'clock. This
town raises more boys to the square inch
than any other town of its size in the
country. A yell from one, upon the ap-
proaeh of our tourists, seemed to be the
signal for the gathering of the clans They
came from stores, houses, alleys and fields,
all sizes, ages and colors, to the number of
about 100, shouting, bowling crowd fol-
lowed the Ramblers, while the captain
preached sermon on the eussedpess of
boys. A long coast out of the town soon
left Edinburg and its boys far behind.
Reaching the open country again, the sound
of rolling thunder and dark clouds in the
southwest gave warning of the approaching
storm. With mountains to the right of
them, mountains to left of them, mountains
behind them and storm clouds in front of
them, their wheels were urged forward
rapidly with the hope Of reaching Mt,
jackson before the storm burst Suddenly
great noise was heard in their rear aud
beautiful sight. The storm had passed
them on their right and now stretching
from the mountain on the west, to the
mountain ON the east, across the road over
which they had come, the clouds poured
fourth their contents not half mile away,
forming veil so thick that the mountains
were hidden from view, with rushing
noise as of the roaring of mighty torrent,
Mt. Jackson, town of 900 inhabitants,
a miles distant from Edinburg, was reach
ed at 5.12 o'clock
This community is the centre of the most
fertile country the tourists had seen since
leaving Maryland. They received many
kind invitations to spend the night here.
One old gentleman, possibly thinking they
were Methodist preachers, promised to feed
them with tomatoes and fried chicken.
One of the boys, it would be unfair to the
others to tell which, made the first mash of
the trip. And oh what a mash there
would have been if she had fallen on him
From her face they thought she was about
16 years old, but her size indicated that
she had been growing for at least 100
years. Added to these attractions was the
fact that Mt jackson has never heard of
local option. All these things almost
tempted the boys to spend the night here,
but, anxious to move on, they took the
road again at 5.2G o'clock.