The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-05-01

wall lmmeQlatcly III une rear Vi the di1aI
Large brackets on either side, of solid wal
nut, handsomely constructed, support stat
uettes of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St.
Joseph. The stations of the cross, fourteen
in number, are hung at intervals around
the chapel; these are considered, and are
very fine, having been imported direct from
France. The effect of the whole is beau
tiful and devotional. The chapel is under
the direction of Rev. John Gloyd, of West
minister, whose visits are monthly, but the
Holy Sacrifice of Mass is frequently cele-
brated through the kindness Of Rev. gen.
tlemen from this and other diocesses. The
situation of the house, fronting the east, Is
short distance back from the turnpike,
with spacious lawn to the east and south.
This lawn is most beautiful and attractive
with its close shaven grass, studded here
and there with beds of exquisite flowers,
whose bright colors are Intensified by the
greenery surrounding them; the most OF
them are transplanted ii. ENG from the
conservatory attached to the dwelling, a
suitable space is allotted for lawn tennis
and croquet The shade trees in front, and
through the lawn are also worthy of no.
tice, consisting of naples, white and black
walnut, hickory, pine, sycamore, locust,
mahogany, and weeping willow, one or two
apple trees of superior quality, relics of a
former orchard, and last but not least a
wild crabapple tree now redolent with bloom,
filling the air with a delicious and incom-
parable perfume; shrubberry of various
kinds lend their beauty to the scene. A
grapery extends nearly the whole length of
the southern border, in which are different
varieties of grapes-Concord, Niagara,
Clinton, Isabella and Union Village-the
Clinton and Concord seem to flourish best.
Aswe cross the lawn southwark we enter
the grounds of ''Avalon," the residence of
Mr. B. F. Shriver, built in 1882. "Ava-
lon ?, Why that is an English name, and
Judging from your own, [ should have ex-
pected something on the German order !?
We'll, its location suggested the name; where
it stands was once an apple orchard; you
may yet see in its surroundings several aged
representatives; the word is of Celtic origin,
and means a sort of garden or apple Or
chard. hence its name; it is also, may say,
MARYLAND name Lord Baltimore named
his first settlement in Nova Scotia "Ava-
lon" after his birthplace, in SOMERSET
shire, England, and the name afterwards
was given to several places in Maryland.
The house, large commodious one, is of
the Gothic cottage style of architecture, if
l may so call it. 1t is situated on an elevated
plateau, or rather break in the hill about
200 Yards south of the residence of Mrs.
William Shriver, and is conspicuous for
several miles to the northeast and west,
the back ground to the south is a contin-
uation of the hill The lawn to the east,
north and west, is in complete order, COW
cred with beautiful sward of grass and
adorned with variety of trees and shrub
berry. 1t slopes from the house on all
Sides except the south, and joins the lawn
of Mrs William Shriver A hedge of Os-
age Orange, tastely set, extends along the
front of this and the old residence, for a
quarter of mile, and adds much to the
general appearance. The interior of the
house is finished in the most modern style.
The hall, which is large, fronts the east,
and is finished in hard wood; the rooms are
spacious and airy, the mantel pieces of
marble of beautiful design; gas and water
are supplied throughout the whole house.
This supply of the softest and most limpid
water is obtained from well sunk at the
TOP of the hill in the rear of the house,
some $50 feet above; it is raised from the
well by wind-pump, and stored in reser-
voir of capacity Of 1000 gallons, the
supply is abundant for this and the resi-
dence of Mrs. William Shriver, and also
for the stock at the barn, conveyed to them
by iron piping; the force of water is sutfi-
Gent to throw it to the top Of the houses.
The declining sun found us seated com
fortably on the verandah, which extends
on the east, north and west sides of Mr..
Shriver's residence What beautiful
though rather contracted landscape met
our view,-to the east Big Pipe Greek,
issuing from amongst the hills, little to
the north of this the brawling stream of
Deep Run, from narrow valley, comes tum-
bling to Join its waters, and there forms the
dam which supplies the motive power for
the mill. The hill which rises to the north
of this junction, beautiful rounded emil
nence, yclept peach hill, once famous for
this delicious fruit, boast no longer of this
fruit; its fame for peaches has departed.
The peach tree seems doomed after two or
three years growth in this country, but
apples, pears, grapes and the smaller fruits
are still in abundance In the rear of this
hill rises in the distance Rattle Snake Hill,
the highest point in this vicinity, crowned
with perpetual evergreen trees. As the
eye ranges to the west along the lofty hills,
defined sharply by the horizon, may be
seen the form of beautiful trees standing
in bold relief, and dotted here and there
on the hillsides with some just at this sea
son in full bloom, contrasting most agree
ably with the green fields of wheat and
grass. A little more to the west your eye
rests upon the village of Union Mills,
Union Mills proper is separated from the
village by most beautiful bridge of stone,
with fine arches, spanning Big Pipe Creek,
This structure, with its surroundings, is
most picturesque. 1t was regarded at the
tliDe III WAS DuIlt, looi. DIS ii hdstCi PiCOC VI
art and architecture Time and the many
floods which have swept through its arches
have failed to destroy its durability or
beauty The village stretching along the
turnpike, boasts of "Carroll Academy"
built in 1899, commodious building of
stone, rough-cased It'll now in the service
of the public school system. A Methodist
Church, with its quaint little spire crowns
the top of the hill, and adds much to the
general appearance This village, with the
exception of Carroll Academy and one or
two other dwellings, has all been built since
the advent of the canning business and
other industries inaugurated by the Messrs.
Shriver The eye travelling still westward,
is greeted by hill and dale. The setting
sun now 'lends enchantment to the view,
glinting and sparkling at intervals through
the foliage of trees on the swift running
waters of the creek, furnishing as if with
fire the village windows and painting with
gold the village spire. Looking through
the valley to the distant west, you recog-
nize the beautiful Blue Mountain range,
sharply brought out By the setting sun
NJ