The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1884-06-12
STRATFORD LETTER.
Long Island-0cean Breezas-Utterly Cold
Eugging the Radiator-Grassy Town
Robin Red-Breast-A Quaint Inscrip-
tion-0ne Hundred Traias-Strat-
ford Growing-Beef and Fish
Rridgsport-Big Show.
SEATFORD. CT.. June ), 1884.


Well. here we are at Strattord.
not on-the-AoOn, as the Observer
kindly informs its readers, but
Stratford-on the-Sea, for Long IS
land Sound stretches out in all its
magnificent beauty Of water, lap
ping the banks Of fair Stratford and
the seabreezes from off old ocean
refresh and invigorate the human
frame. We have heretofore dwelt
upon the beauties Of this charming
Connecticut town, for this is not
our first visit, but never before have
We enjoyed it at this early season
Of the year. For the first two days
after arriving it was too utterly
cold to venture our small body ont
doors, but smuggling up to Mr..
Hurd's Radiator we endeavored to
keep warm, and get away from the
aforesaid breezes which, coming
from the ocean, were borne over the
Sound, chilling our very marrow.
Had we been full-blooded and re
bust the cold snap could have been
met with more equanimity, but alas
we are as thin as a ''hair space"
and were lily prepared for so cool
reception. 1t is pleasanter now
and we can expose Our nose to the
breeze, and shall use Our eyes IN
seeing all that is to be seen.
Stratford might appropriately be
named Grassy Town, for with the
exception of narrow footpaths on
the sidewalks, and carriage drives
in its wide and delightfully."- shaded
streets, it is q carpet of green, and
so careful and proud are its peo-
pie of these grassy slopes and ter
raced borders that it is kept neatly
shaved. and is as smooth as bill
lard table. Charming TO the eye
and refreshing to the sense is this
unbroken grassy picture. Magnif-
cent Elms, dating back to the time
Of the towns founding, throw their
protecting arms around and over
this sylvan scene, and afford a most
delightful shade to the perambulater
The presence Of the red.breastcd
robin which hops about the streets
and in the yards, affords sense of
quictude and peace. This harm
less little bird is not molested by
the bad boy, but is allowed to build
its nest wherever it may list. In
front Of Mr.. Hurd's piazza on q
branch Of one Of the largest and
finest Elms we have ever seen, a
happy pair of the birds have made
their home, and at this time are
tenderly rearing their little brood.
What difference is thus presented
between here and home-how long
would Mr.. Robin and his mate be
permitted to remain in peace and
quiet in Newberry.
Yesterday, Sunday, we did not
90 to church, but walked out and
took the railroad track to the old
grave yard. Many lie sleeping
there, waiting to the trump OF
Gabriel's summon to the final resur.
rection. Quaint tombs and quainter
inscriptions meet the eye. We give
one-"Here lies the body Of
who was born one day and died the
next, the common lot Of mankind,
aged IS years
The boys at home who love to
be at the depot train-times, would
have their entire time taken up II
they were here, and attempted to
be on hand at the arrival Of the
trains. There is q double track on
this line which extends from New
York to Boston, q distance Of about
234 miles, and over this line the
rails are kept warm by q never
ceasing run of trains. We are told
that. in the twenty-four hours, which
make up the day and night,
over one hundred trains pass regu-
larly. We intend some day to
count them. These trains are of
every kind, regular express, limited
express, accommodation, milk trains
vegetable trains, coal trains, and
any other kind Of train known in
this part of the country. But the
boys would find their noses out Of
Joint did they attempt to mount the
platform Of any Of them, that is not
allowed, nor is anyone allowed to
get upon them or enter the coaches
without authority or business. An
other admirable system is shown
when q train arrives q conductor
steps out, and helps the passengers
WHO are to get out, this is the first
step, then he sees the going pas
sengers in.
This prevents crowding. pushing
and confusion. But little time is
consumed in the operation, and it
seems no more than q minute
from the time the trains stops until
it is again in motion. At any time
of day can the whistle Of the pass
ING locomotive be heard, its ''swee-
gee breaks the morning, tie eve
ming and the night air. Constant,
unintermitting is the rapid fiji ght Of
tie never-tiring iron horse, and
great is the pleasure afforded to
listen to the never-ceasing sound,
and see the everlasting outgoing
and incoming trains. We wish Gu:
Newberry boys could enjoy the
lively sight.
Two or three more stores have
been added to the industrious side
of Stratford since we were here
q - ..z ouo T. ,-;1l ha rnpoaD,