Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-01-19
BUNKER HILL LETTER.
Special Correspondence IspErEsDEsr.


people are waiting to hear something
about the grand pyrotechnic display
which took place here on Saturday
night, Dec. 18th. Now this is mere
Iva superstition. / may take a more
limited view of the extent of Amer
lea than many people do, bat if it is
as large as l think it is, / am certain
that it takes in Berkeley, Jefferson,
Morgan, and part of Washington
county, Nd; perhaps more territory,
but / am afraid to name more for
fear | might expose my ignorance.
Well, the fire works came off as per
advertisement and proved to be a
grand success, with one exception.
The balloon, which was to have been
the GROWING feature of the occa-
sion, did not burn up quite, but it
would have done SO had it not been
for the interference Of some busy
bodies who put it out. The wind
blew too hard for the frail thing to
tear itself from the home of its ma
tivity and cast its bright, rhetoric
lights into higher realms, notwith-
standing the anxious multitude that
was present to witness its aerial
fight. I think, however, that there
is enough Of it left with little bit
of patching, to ''sail the seas over
cross the wide ocean, and carry
message of love to Queen Victoria;
on some clear, calm night. If the
country should be startled by this
earthly meteor, illumining the star
ny dome, don't be alarmed. The
other portion of the fiery scene were
indeed beautiful to behold, and elic-
tied expressions of admiration from
every one who was present The
occasion was further enlivened by
excellent music, rendered by the
Smithfield brass band, under the di-
rection of Prof. Tom Farnsworth.
This is new band not having been
in existence over year, but their
proficiency clearly demonstrates the
superior talent they have in it, and
predicts a bright future for them.
l am sorry that the cold weather
operated so much against them, yet
we tried to keep the valves open by
frequent lubrications. Come again
boys we will al~ avs greet you with
open arms. We were highly graf
lied to see so many of our friends
and neighbors present. We do not
present these exhibitions Of mirth
and beauty to the public as means
of making money, but simply to
draw the people together and enjoy
a few hours in Innocent pleasure.
. II some who are not so cautions,
will pervent the true intent and per-
haps mar the pleasures of a few other
the responsibility must not rest with
the more prudent class. We have
inducements to spend money here,
our stores are supplied with nice
presents and useful articles. Our
oysters saloons always presents a
temptation and our social hospital
ity cannot be scoffed at, if l do say
it myself, but want it distinctly
understood that we have no other
object in view than what l have
already stated al the same time we
have no objections to people spend
ing all the money they wish.
Since the advent of the New Year
we have had tast and smell of all
the different kinds of weather that
Vennor or Dettor ever invented,
and l feel safe in saying that we are
sufficiently Injured to Withstand any
cline upon the habitable globe,
without fear of blistered nose or a
frosted toe. 1t does not seem how
ever to impede lscomotion to any
great extent. There has been more
sleighing done since the snow fell
than have ever known in this Sec
ton, the reason Tor which is, / sup
pose, that nearly every young man
has his horse, sleigh and sweetness,
and there is nearly always some
place to 60. Dinners, suppers, and
social regioinations have been of
daily occurrence since the COM
mencement of the holydays. I can
only speak of one of them of my own
personal knowledge which was Civ
en- in honor Of Miss Mamie Gold, by
her parents. Miss Mamie is a pupil
of the Valley Female Institute and
was spending her holydays vacation