The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-04-13
Letter From Ohio.

Letter From Ohio.
Mr.. Eiaor:-
am reminded by my former parish
toners that they hare been patiently
looking for g letter from me for some
time should have written long ago, but
by constantly pressing duties, have de-
ferred it from time TO time. And now, if
the HERALD will permit me to use part
Of its valuable space, viii attempt a
rambling letter from the Miami valley
1 gave you description ofthe valley, and
especially Of our beautiful little city in
former letter, and doubtless you will be
more interested in learning how We are
getting along, and how We ike our Ohio
home. Inseverity Of climate we find
vast difference from the glades of Somer-
set county, but 1 do not know but tha.
the physical effects of this humid atmos-
phere is more deleteriors to health than
the severity Of climate with greater
altitute. Pulmonary troubles seem to
prevail TO great extent. The winter Just
passed has been regarded by the inhabit-
ants here as the most severe for a num-
Der of years, but TO US, it did not seem
like extreme winter weather, when we
remember the SHOWS and blows Of the
Allegheny climate. We enjoyed about
week Of good sleighing in January, which |
is Of rare occurrence here Of late years. |
All told We did not have foot Of snow
but our roads are so solid and smooth, |
that few inches OF snow with sufficient |
ly cold weather makes excellent slegh- |
ing. Our public roads are all piked and I
well graveled so that We experience no
mud even in wet weather. But it is not I
so throughout the State. In the North, /
and Northeastern part Of the State the
public roads are almost impossible. They
have no rock or gravel with which to
make solid roads. People who hsve liv
ca mere ~ sOD2 scarcely knew what -
passible roads mean, but have still
distinct recollection Of them in travelling
the hills and hoIlows Of Somerset county.
But when lhe.storms OF winter are past,
and the Allegheny has contributed its
last snow drift TO the swelling mountain
stream when a new bottom has been put
for the old one that fell out during the
freshet of spring, and the mortar is dried
up, then Somerset county is paradise
for at least the three hot months Of the
year The pure. sparkling and delicious
water bursting from almost every hill
side and the fresh invigorating mountain
atmosphere, mot mountain. dew are un-
known here. We have however plenty
Of the ~dew," eliminatingthe mountain"
but in Ohio parlanee is know as corn
juice and whilst the name may not be
so euphonious, it possesses all the exhilar-
ating qualities common to the liquid.
To-day is a real spring day, and the
order is garden making about the home
and in the field, sowing oats. II viii not
be long in the future when some cool re-
treat will be eagerly sought by an unac-
climated Ohioian, with the exclamation
eOh for q stiff mountain breeze Of about
ten minutes Duration This country has
great advantages over Somerset county
in the natural fertility of the soil, easy
farming, good roads, natural gas for fuel
and light, longer school terms and better
pay to teacher, but with your delightful
climate and good water, with your sum
mer paradise and buekwheat cakes and
maple syrup you our up with Us, with 4
exception of educational progress. In
regard to organization, the system Of /
schools of Pennsylvania is superior, but
there are yet other inequalities that viii 1
by and by be changed. l am not con-
cerned 50 much in the contest that is be-
ing waged as 10 which is the "Metrop- |
oils" Of Somerset county, but want TO
say that Somerset Is grand old county,
and don't you forget it. If a kind provi-
dence favor US, three 0hioans will put in
an appearance among the old hills about /
the middle Of June and assist in the ded-
ication Of the St. PAul's Lutheran church /
in the New Centrevill psstorate. Ny 1
people here are willing to grant Us at least
a months vacation, and We are looking
forward to that time with joyful sntici-
pations. Our church work is moving
along, keeping pace with similar interests
around US. This section Of country, !
am sorry to say, is not as churchly as We
would desire TO see IL There are causes
for it, that are local, but cannot infringe
on your columns.to discuss them or even
ventureaa brief statement / must con-
tent myself on the progress of our work
with the verdict of my people, who think
we are moving along well. and with fat
tering outlook. Our congregations are
growing gradually which is a healthful
sign and comforting to a pastors heart
We erjoy the iconfdence and esteem of
our people and have had evidences Of
the good will Of them outside Of our own
fold. We have not however, escaped
from the assaults of designing men and
women of our own household Of faith
Preachers are subject 10 these cruel at
tacks occasionally. You have often heard
of preachers being watched and caned,
but our parsonage was invaded, the
whole family captured and vigorously
pounded. Once under the power of these
invaders, unarmed and subdued By force
of numbers, We were entirely at their
mercy. We submitted with the best
grace possible, hardly being able TO open
our mouths. What could We say? Friends
TO the right of you friends to the left of
you; friends in front Of you; friends ali
around you Well, We Submitted and
made an unconditional surrender. The
paIson had been out calling upon few