The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-09-04
Lower Cedar Point.

Reported for the Democratic Advocated
We had been planning an excursion to
Lower Cedar Point, for some time, and final
~, the morning of Aug. 26, found our party
ofsix, consisting of Messrs. j. and W. Gather,
Misses NJ. Bennett, E. Gather and your cor
respondent, chaperoned by Mrs. c. A. Lemen,
impatiently awaiting the locomotive, and
wondering if ''that train never would come.
We were at last relieved by the ''Iron Horse"
dashing noisiy around the curve, and in a
few moments we were gliding swiftly past
Sykesville, which appeared rather sleepy IN
the early morning light. We could not ad-
mire the landscape, for heavy mist OBJ
scured everything except the approximate
milkcans and carts, and these, certainly, were
not objects of beauty, however picturesque
they might be- One of the village merchants
watched us longingly when we changed cars
at the Relay, and occupied the interval In
admiring the beautiful flowers and fountains
ornamenting the well-kept grounds OF the
Viaduct Hotel.
Our ride on the Washington Branch was
much more pleasant than on the main line,
for the sunbeams came dancing through the
clouds, dissipating the hanging mist, and
converting the myriad dew-drops into a radi-
ant wealth of sparkling gems. This branch
passes through many pretty villages, and IS
remarkably straight and level. Very soon,
someone exclaimed-''There is Washington
and we saw the white dome of the Capitol
rising with imposing dignity above the lesser
buildings, and farther on the snowy monu-
ment,-that column, so fair and pure, rightly
emblematic of the life of the MODEST man that
ever ived-appearing in the distance, almost
phantom-like, as it seemed to melt in the
ethereal blue above it.
After awhile we reached Shepherds Land
ha1nuy fba ifu and aaOarlv
watched the fine steamer, Jane Moseley,
bearing slowly towards us with several hun
dred Washingtonians on board. The usual
grand rush was made as soon as the 'gang"
had been fastened, and in a few moments we
were climbing the cabin stairs, and depositing
our camp stools wherever we could discover
available space. The brisk breeze was fresh
and exhilarating, and braced one like pleas
ant tonic. We changed our positions to upper
and lower deck, fore and aft, traversed the
cabins, peeped in the wheel house, where the
genial Captain stood watching his compass,
used all the nautical terms in our repertoire,
and finally established ourselves down near
the "Ristorio' band, were we had fine view
of our fellow-voyagers, as well as. OF the
scenery.
We passed Alexandria, and lower down,
the pretty resort of s'Glymont," and "Gun-
ston Farm, the former home of President
Tyler We discovered quantity of life--pre-
servers fastened above US, and one of the
party wondered chow those awkward things
were fixed, HE was man, of course.
When the white pillars of Mt Vernon were
seen cleaning through the green shrubbery,
the band played, tenderly and reverently,
"Nearer Ny God, to Thee" and did the echo
float softly across the waters and linger like
a psalm about the tomb of the grand, old hero
of the Revolution? We watched the home
of Washington fade slowly away, in silence,
as we thought how he had guided weak peo-
pie through terrible war, and then, when
victory was won, he might have been king,
and received the homage of nations, he pre-
fered to live a simple citizen, that his coun-
trymen might be-free What magnanimityl
What-'..Pea-nuts Ice cold Sissyperrilla = e.
wells sable attendant at our elbow, and our
patriotic meditations are thoroughly quenched.
We landed at the "Point," in the early
afternoon, and after dinner, admired the pa
vilions and flowers; watched the bathing and
the waves breaking in silvery showers on the
sloping bank; enjoyed the music, dancing,
and ''ice. cold Lemonade" (served by the
same Ethiop of "Sissyperrilla" fame,) and at
P. NJ, returned to the boat.
The sun set in flood of golden glory, ting
ing the swelling waves with mellow radiance,
and recalling the lines, ''The broad sea shone
like yellow gold fused in the fire, or like the
marble floor of same old temple wide"
An upright piano stood in one cabin, and
as twilig ht came softly on, the spirit OF song
seemed to take possession of the "Jane
Moseley," and ''Swanee River" Sailing"
"Juanita." and others of like nature mingled
melodiously with the subdued splash of the
water. They were old, but then, antique"
il the rage. and after all, "old songs are best"
We enjoyed them very much until crude
choir started swat Till the Clouds Roll By"
and then we thought of the old couplet
"Swans sing before they die, 'twere no bad
thing. should certain persons die, before they
sing
We reached the Landing at 9 P. NJ, and to
the music of "Home, Sweet Home" we
crossed the gang" and entering the return
car, as we watched the lights of the Capitol
twinkling in the distance, thought, if our
friends wished day of unalloyed pleasure,
we would advise them to ''go and do like
wise," that is, make trip to Cedar Point.
SykesuiHe, Md. l.. II.