The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-08-06
LETTER FROM CASTLETON.
The Paper Milis-Berkley MiIIs-BerIx-
ley yiIIRge-BaId Hill.

After an absence of ten years arrived at this
place last Friday. The $40 A. NJ. train from
Philadelphia left on time, and was soon out of
the heated city, speeding southwark through the
beautiful and inviting country. The flower gar
dens along the p, w. and Is. presented a most
pleasing sight to the traveller whose eyes are con-
tinually centred upon the red brick and dull
heated city at this season. The speed of the train
gave only moments glimpse of some of the
flower beds, making one long for a halt to drink
their sweetness to the full.
Arriving at Perryville, information was given
that no train connected for Conowingo until p
M. This necessitated a wait at Port Deposit of
several hours, which, having once been my resi-
dence, was not unpleasant. There seemed to be
but little change in the place. In some instances
improvements were noted, but these were rather
the exception. Comparing the Port of to-day
with that of ten years ago l should not hesitate
to say that the place has refrigerated rather than
advanced. gentleman expressed the idea that
the place could not advance now, for the b. & o.
bridge cut it Off from the water facilities, so ne
cessary to its life and prosperity.
. Leaving Port at O'Clock, we were soon at
Conowingo, the first time had ever reached it
by train, as the rail road had been constructed
during my protracted absence. The carriage of
one OF Harford's prominent citizens awaited, and
we were soon on the old bridge spanning the Sus-
quehanna. 1t looked like old friend. whose
face had changed but little. | learned that Mr.
Ross, the veteran bridge keeper was still in
charge, with his eyesight so greatly impaired as
to render him blind. Up the long hill we slowly
pod as the setting sun sent its slanting rays of
gold into the highest tree tops, bidding them
good night The smoke from the kitchen of my
friend curled upward as if reckoning us onward
and we knew that they were getting supper
This may not be of much interest to you, Mr.
Editor, but it was important TO us. Aftera cor
dial welcome and regular Mikado shake, we
considered ourselves arrived, as the tramp said,
and began day or two of rest. No noise, no
smoke, no dust, and in comparison with some
other places, no heat; What blissful spot to
rest Castleton has changed greatly in ten years
and bids fair in few years to become consider
able settlement. In point of health it is unsurpass
ed The water is excellent, the farm land FERTILE
and above all the people seem alive and thrifty
These are some of the things necessary to the
prosperity of any place. and there are no visible
reasons why the place should not steadily in
crease and strengthen.
To-day we visited the Messrs Smith g. Co.'S.
paper mills, two miles south of Castleton on the
river. Our eyes were opened, for the magnitude
and capacity of the mill far exceeded our expec-
tations. Mr.. Joshua Q; Smith, the General Man
ager, received us very kindly and spared no pains
in showing in detail the great work in operation.
We started at the wood-shed, where the spruce
and poplar wood in cord lengths was taken up,
of machines until It came out the prettiest
bleached paper our eyes ever rested upon. 1t
was more interesting than circus or museum.
Tons upon tons of paper are made every day The
New York World alone receives tons of paper
from this mill daily. The mill machinery starts
at twelve o'clock Sunday night and knows no
rest until twelve o'clock Saturday night. day
and night force are employed, the combined
number of hands being $50.
After an examination of the mighty dam that
runs this vast machinery, marvel in itself, and
pleasant chat with our old friend Curto Smith,
new grst mill of the same firm on Peddlar's Run,
half mile inland The neat building and i'm
proved rolled process machinery are all in keep
ing, and the whole neighborhood is praisng the
excellent flour it produces Half mile west and
we strike Berkeley village, comparatively new
place, with half dozen neat new houses, where
some of the employees of the paper mill reside. A
blacksmith shop, store and barber shop are found
here, ard on account of its close and favorable
proximity to the paper mills, Berkeley village
will certainly hold its own.
Returning. we partook of bountiful dinner.
and my friend suggested Bald Hill. A half hours
drive brought us to its base, around which the
cedars and pines hold high carnival, either gently
swayed by the light zephyr or swung and tossed
by the driving tempest. Hitching our horses wo
paid for the effort, for the is one that is full
of enchantment, and one is almost awe-stricken
as he views 1t. The hill is in Hartford county
Just beyond the undulating York county farms
stretch away In the distance, until the limited
eye-sight of man fails him, and the vision is lost
The Susquehanna glides its serpentine length
along, interspersed with numerous islands-rang-
ing from 10 feet square to ten acres in size These
are covered with that peculiar verdure, fresh.
ened by continual moisture, and in themselves
are scene to enchant an artist. Across the
river is Wild Cat Rock. 1t is near the dividing lint
of Cecil and Lancaster counties. the farms OF
each county presenting panorama of ndescriba
bic beauty and loveliness.
Dear old Hartford, we must leave it, but we
shall carry its scenery with us to tighten the tot
OF the day, and to cheer up our pilgrimage from
the cradle to the grave. OsCEoLA.
Remarkable Pig.
nouoOptoup unyoo