The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-09-18
Our Chica go Letter.
CHICAGO, Sept. 18th, is

To the Editor Of the Bdnner:-DEAR
SIR:-A great many wonderful things
have TRANSFERRED since wrote few lines
for the BANNER, and one of the most
occupying my mind at the present time
is the great celebration which you, and
all of the good people of Vermont, en-
joyed few days since. The BANNER
came to me filled with pictures of some
of the prominent statesmen of the coun-
try, not only of the good old State of
Vermont but from States from the West
and East. l regret very much that l
could not be there to enjoy this great oc-
casion. imagine what it was, as we
have here in this large city many of the
like character often. l have often
climbed up in the water tower, which is
situated near the lake, ON Chicago
Avenue, some 275 feet, and have looked
out over this smoky city seeing nothing
but buildings on one side, and OH the
other Lake Michigan, which is beautiful
and magnificent. But this, in my judg-
ment is nothing in beauty compared to
what it is to one who looks out of the
great monument lately erected on Ben
nington hill whose towering heights
reaches Heavenward, overlooking those
beautiful valleys covered with green,
and dotted with beautiful white farm
cottages and green blinds. Methinks 1
can see the old church on the fiat below
the base, and the brick academy between
the two points, the academy where 1
spent many months delving over Latin
and Greek books, under the tutOrship of
Professor Balch and that noble woman
his assistant, Miss Chaplin, afterwards
Mrs. Balch). i mention the last time
of attending school land with gladness
do recall the last time), in the academy
in your village, the Principal being then
the Rev. Dr. Smith of this city, editor of
one of the largest Baptist papers of the
Northwest. After the lapse of some 45
years, through the BANNER, found
this good man at his Sanctum Sdntorunl,
on the corner of Dearborn and Randolph
streets, with his head of that color that
told me old age was fast creeping on,
like the leaves of the forests. The fros is
of many winters has told that this life
would soon close up this earthly career
for both of us, but it was an interesting
event for me to talk over with him old
times in your village academy at that
time to which l refer. l believe it was
then the only one and presume became
extinct years ago, as time makes many
changes. found this to be the case
when visited Vermont now nearly five
years ago. l found even the mountains
had seemingly grown nearly one-half or
more in height, and the valleys narrower.
found myself in land of strangers.
o, how the past came rushing into my
brain. How changed from the past,
when l found so many old friends.
Those with whom had lived from early
life had passed away and new people had
grown up and had taken their places.
TO think that some of us were still
lingering on the verge of the grave las it
were), made me sad. No State has so
strong attachments as my native State !;
with me as am going down the de-
clivity of life this attachment becomes
stronger and stronger. At this hour of
writing feel that in no better place can
one spend the last days of life than in
Vermont. 1 desire to be buried in the
beautiful valley of East Rupert, where Il
found while there), the glistening Dorset
white marble monuments tell of many
friends and relatives in their narrow bed
there to lie until the trumpet shall
awaken them. And from their sleep to
arise once more to a new life?
How changed the scene from that
quiet valley to the Western shores of
Lake Michigan, where there is hurry
and hustle?
The large majority of. the people of
the West and of this city appear to be
going wild, so much SO that we need no
Effel Tower during the time of the
Worlds Fair. You can count any num-
Der of buildings going up to the height
of 10 and 20 stories, and the Columbian
Exposition has SO enthused the people
of this city that fear we will find that
our insane hospitals will need some ad-
ditions before the fair begins. Strenuous
efforts are being put forth to make the
fair grand success. The commission
of ladies are doing all in their power, at
home and abroad, for the success of this
wonderful enterprise, and every day l
become more and more astonished when
walk the streets and see the healthy
growth and enterprise displayed from
one end to the other of this city.
Strangers when in the city are struck
with establishment at the vim and life of
the people on the streets. "Get out of
the way" seems to be the life ON the
streets and in all branches of husinass