The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-02-14
For the Democratic Advocate.
Modern Maryland Homes.

NJ. 4.
-Four miles south Of Lisbon, in Howard
county, lies Oak Lawn, the home of A.
GalIatin Warfeld. This is beautiful es-
tate of some three hundred acres, adjoining
the old ancestral demesne, being portion
of the same. The dwelling was built by
the present owner over forty years ago;
it is Of brick, two and half stories, re-
Gently improved with a mansard roof.
It is situated on a commanding eminence,
overlooking fertile fields and pleasant
meadows. On the west, and contiguous to
the dwelling, it is skirtcd by a considerable
tract of primeval oak woodland, through
which tiny riyulet ''sings its way to the
sea. In the dell at the edge of the wood
miniature lake has been formed by the
hand of art and of taste; this serves in the
winter season for an ce-pond, but the
rustic benches on either side of it betray
to the observant eye that tbs here the
owner comes in pleasant weather to smoke
his pipe and re-live the dear old days Of
yore, while gazing on the placid waters at
his feet Here, too, no doubt, in bygone
days, has ''the old, old-yet ever new
story been told to willing ears. Here
ambitious dreams have had their origin by
those who have gone forth to wrestle with
fortune and with fate.
Oak Lawn possesses all that nature can
supply, and has been adorned by lavish
and cultivated taste, and might serve with
equal fitness for the dwelling place of a
fairy prince or country gentleman.
It was our good fortune to spend an
afternoon at Oak Lawn recently, and the
occasion will long remain green IN our
memory Such evenings are the GASES in
the desert waste of life. The day was
balmy and spring-like. An arcadian seren-
ity seemed to hang upon the tuneful old
oak trees as the low breeze sighed through
them, and to spread itself, like mist, over
the lawn, and to brood among the caves
and chimney stacks, and to dispense its
quiet influence all around the place.
Mr.. w. is a genial, well-preserved gen
tleman of the old school, in his 68th year
Ia type that is fast disappearing. His
house and his hand are as open as his
countenance. He has always ready well
come for stranger, neighbor or friend, and
never fails to regale them with sketches of
the olden time. He has sweet-toned old
violin, to which we have listened in the
past, but as our visit was at the anniversary
of the time
"When spirit went out
And left upon the mountain tops of death
light that made them lovely,
it was not brought into requisition. Mrs.
w. is a lady of refinement and culture,
and looks much younger than she really
is, and, as we gazed upon her, we thought
that, whatever of fame and of success her
sons have won, they owe to the influence
Of the home circle; and tbs no wonder that
in their darkest hours or their brightest
days that the feelings of each heart go out
in praise of mother"
Long may the angels Of peace and hap
piness stretch their wings over that house.
hold, and if ever the raven screams It's
presage in sound of the peaceful echoes of
the little brook in the dell, may it pass
above them in the middle of the night, and
not disturb the repose Of the inmates of
that home. And when at last that "silent
warder who keeps the key*" shall ope the
gates, may they lead to fields Elysian.
Beyond these chilly winds and gloomy skies.
Beyond deaths cloudy portal;
There is a land where pleasure never dies,
And love becomes immortal.
death, the silent warder, keeps the key
That opes these gates elysiaD.
IL