Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-08
THE ATTRACTIONS OF "DAHLEN.o
Mrs. Dahlgren's Mountain Home, Where
Bridal Festivities Are in Progress.

| Correspondence of TIE EvKSISs STAR.
Mrs. Dahlgren calls her beautiful mountain
home "Dahlen," where the bridal festivities in
honor Of her son are in progress. 1t is situated
directly on the dividing line between Frederi ok
and Washington counties, although the house il
entirely in the latter county. The old National
turnpike runs directly past the front door. The
house during the war was known as the South
Mountain tavern, and was typical country inn
in every respect. When the place was pur-
chased by Mrs. Dahlgren it was in q badly
shattered condition. On the south side Of the
house stood two aged locust trees that were
completely riddled with bullets, dozens of
which were sticking in the bark. These trees
Mrs. Dahlgren had inclosed in order to pre-
serve them, bullets and all, as memen-
| toes of the bloody battle fought there.
During a severe wind storm not long ago one
OF these trees was blown down, but vigorous
offspring has shot up from its roots and Is
already several feet high. Mrs. Dahlgren in
altering and improving the old inn has pre-
served, as far as possible. the quaintness OF its
| original architecture. She has left undisturbed
| the old-fashioned stairs and ratings and has
| filled the rooms with very odd furniture. The
| dining room has been converted to the Eliza
bethean style and is quaint and pretty. It has
| hardwood ceiling, frescoed walls and old
| tables and chairs. Mr.. Dahlgren bought up
| the mountain land surrounding the old house,
| piece at time, until she has finally acquired
| the entire mountain top.
The lawn has a beautiful and even slope all
the outbuildings and fences are low, so as not
| to obstruct the view from the house, every door
| and window in which looks out upon some mar
velOus valley stretching away in the distance
! toward Hagerstown or Frederick.
CAIRNS SUMNER HOME.
Five miles from ''Dahlen," and also on
spur Of the South mountain, is "Gapland," the
summer home Of George Alfred Townsend
When Mr.. Townsend visited Mrs. Dahlgren at
"Dahlen" he was impressed with the beauty
of the country that he purchased site for a
dwelling in gorge looking off toward the blue
town valley, formed by the Catoctin and South
Mountain ranges. is open to the view from both
"Dahlen" and "Gapland."
At this season of the year the shocks of
wheat in the fields seen from the mountain top
with the slant sun resting its beams upon them
look like Jumps of FURNISHED gold, while in
tervening pathways of green oats and clusters
OF new-mown hay have a cool and refreshing
effect. Mrs. Dahlgren cares for nothing about
her house so much as the scenery, and when
entertaing guests who are her own old personal
friends, rarely thinks of providing entertain
ment for them. They find enough in strolling
over the old place and hiding away in their
memory glimpses Of the magnificent scenery.
Inc Oiu mouse, TOO, Is full or attraction. In
the first place, the fact that it was frequently
the stopping place of Henry Clay and Andrew
Jackson, Senators and Congressman and men
OF note in the public service, gives it historic
interest that nothing can eclipse. 1t has stood
there in the gorge for more than a
hundred years. In the rear parlor Mrs.
Dahlgren has a small shelf filled with
books written by herself and the admiral dur
ing their united life These books she always
keeps together and separate from the others in
the library. The latter room is quaint and
cosy. Over its door is suspended the blue flag
OF Admiral Dahlgren's flagship. tits rent by
a cannon ball near one end This room was
the bar room of the old inn. In the furnishing
of the entire house tendency to an antiquity
that would contrast with the antiquity of the
building itself is noticeable, and from the cup
board, filed with the rarest of ware to the tall
clock, canopied bedstead, and odd-looking
bureau, there is something at almost every turn
one makes to excite the fancy and arouse the
curiosity. 1t is beautiful place, and the fortu-
nate guests of the generous-hearted hostess are
looking forward with keen delight to their week
OF merry-making. F. NJ.