The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-08-15
A Rural Paradise I'm the MIDST Of
0nr GHfr

Business having called us to the
residence of our late Marshal, Hon.
Henry \. AsthOlz, where we met that
gentleman cozily cnsconsed at his desk
in a sheltered corner of his ample,
vine-sheltered porch, one of the cool
est and most inviting hooks we have
found i'll this city of well-sheltered
corners. After business we were in
vited TO the orchard, and passing
through walks bordered with rare
flowers, and arbors covered with lus-
cious grapes, then descending a wind
ing path and round a hedge corner
we entered the shade of the broad.
spreading branches of a giant apple
tree where we found the cider press
at work pressing the sweet juice of
the large, red-cheekcd apples. After
indulging freely in the sweetest of
harmless nectar, and watching the
process Of making the fine family
cider that his home is noted for. and
his system of making vinegar, all of
which he fully explained, we cut loose
from the tempting cup and tub and
took a saunter amongst the shrubbery.
How inviting. how delightfully."- cool it
felt to wander beneath those noble
young forest trees. ash, elm and hick-
DRY. standing at wide intervals in the
midst of orchards of apple, peach,
plum and other fruits. all laden to the
limit OF their strength with large, lus-
ciOus fruits. Then how enchanting
was the winding path, here winding
up the side of a steep d~eclivity, and
then down to the brink OF a CARP
pond, then around a large clunp of
evergrcens and past a miniature field
of sun flowers. y sharp turn brings
us to a high embankment covered
with fruits and flowers. all tastefully |
intcrminglcd SO as to bring out their
best effect to eye and smell. After
turning and twisting through paths,
over tiny bridges and up miniature
mountains we gained the top of the
embankment. and amidst the perfumes
of a thousand blossoms passed along
its top, and without warning entered
a large pavilion set on its edge over
looking the fish-pond. Here were
easy seats, tables. lounges, and all
kinds of tasteful decorations amongst
which stood prominent "Old Glory"
beneath whose starry folds our host
had fought so calamity.
After a rest we prosecuted our
search. and on every turn found
something TO admire. There in an
open space on the grcen-sward stood
the gyInnastic school with its ladders,
turning poles. swings. rings, etc. Then
along a new and nearly con-
cealed path we found beneath the
dense foliage of a large tree a ham,
mock swung TO the branches: oh, how
tempting. Another turn and we
anne out OIL a large strawberry plat,
Ihen a patch Of r%aspberrieS, and all
his on a plat of ground not to exceed
TWO and one-half acres. The groves
IN both sides that border Themis ard
William streets are so dense that the
Dasser by cannot see the treasures the
acre contains. and those enjoy-
ng the cool. hospitable shelter of its
ruit trees, its fruits and flowers, to
nothing of its delicious cider, and
he warm welcome and kind greeting
If the host and his noble better half,
orget for the time that they are in
he center of a busy city and an active
Those who doubt our word
AVE but TO 90 and enjoy for a brief
,criod the pleasure and surprise We
net with there TO be convinced that
t is a rural paradise. =.