Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-22

proves that the first heavy cost in building
road right, is offset in the end by the low
taxes that will inevitably be required
for Keeping it in repair. Mr.. Mcintyre
says s, 900 per mile will repair the road and
make it as good as new. Divide that 81, 900
by 20 years Tin which there have been no
repairs) and you may find how trifing
would have been the taxes to keep con-
stantly in repair stoned road.
Different From Dirt Roads.
Since the old plan of repairing the turn
pixies was dropped, the rougher stones of the
under courses have been allowed to work to
the top, thus making the road in some
places rough to ride upon. Especially on
the mountain slopes the washing out of the
roads by rains year after year has damaged
the pixies. This is the worst part of the
damage, and that could have been easily
prevented by the system of constant vigi-
lance, customary in early days. But as a
whole the road is still solid, dry and smooth,
especially where it is level. Unlike dirt
roads, we found it best where it was most
travelled, and worse where the travel is
small.
Dirt roads can only be kept in good order
where the hauling is light. But here was
road that was actually in its best eondi-
tion when used most. The reason is the
stones are then kept more evenly distributed
and better broken up on top.
A Touching Reminiscence.
The mention of Thomas NJ. MarshalPs s
name brings to me touch of pathos. Two
months ago in mapping out an itinerary for
The DISPATCH expedition I consulted
Mr.. Marshall about the route from Bedford
to Pittsburg. He had driven over it every
fOr 10 70 mil ha
conclusion OF the conversation the great
criminal lawyer remarked:
"Ah, mel It's been three or four years
now since have gone to Bedford Springs
overland. only kept up the practice of
driving there because my wife enjoyed the
ride when she was living. For several years
after she died continued to drive the "a
miles because of the sacred memories it re-
vived. To me there are endearing associa-
tions in every mile of that old Philadel-
phia pike between Williamsburg and Bed
ford.
"By the wav," he added, remember and
tell me if you find two maiden women at the
first toll gate on the western slope of Laurel
Hill Mountain, some miles beyond Ligonier
They are aged and wrinkled. They have no
shadow of right by law to charge toll any
more, but every time 1 pass there I give
them 30 for toll. My wife liked them, and
they loved her. 1 often wonder if they are
still living there"
No TolIgnte There Now.
Almost eagerly watched for that toll
gate as we ratified down the mountain the
other day. But there is no longer any toll
gate there, and could hear nothing of the
maiden ladies. But there is scarcely man,
woman or child along the pike from Brad
ford to Pittsburg who does not remember
GLORIOUS Old Tom," as the older people
still call him. Very many of them have
asked me about him and want to know why
his two barouches "never come out this way
anymore"
Mrs. Marshall was beautiful woman,
person of lovely disposition" said Mrs.
Jane Mcintyre, the landlady of the we'll
known road house at Jacktown. "We all
knew and esteemed her."
And heard that said more than once
along the old pike. L. E. SToF1EL.