Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-07-21
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
The Road from Washington to
Cabin Johns Bridge.
Eavorite Thoroughfare with All Glasses
OF Society-Diplomats and Statesmen
In Handsome Turnouts-History
OF Famous Bridge.
;speciai wes;.1ngton letter.


The vicinity of Washington abounds
In beautiful scenery and pleasant drives,
but the favorite thoroughfare with all
classes of Washington society is the
road to Cabin Johns bridge. Every
bright Sunday the owners of fast horses,
and of those not SO fast, HE them to the
boundary Of Georgetown, that quiet
little annex to Washington, and take
the conduit road to the bridge. 1t has
been, so ever since the bridge was built
Ia IS and it viii probably remain SO
forever.
Let US follow this red-wheeled road
wagon. in which the sporty looking
gentleman is explaining to his friend,
evidently stranger, the different
places of interest along the way. We
will be sure to see all there is to be
seen, as he and his gray mare are a
feature of the road every pleasant Sun
day.
After leaving Georgetown we follow
along the banks of the Potomac for about
mile and then make a turn at right
angles to the river only to take paral-
lei road little higher up. Before we
turn, however, let US take look back
at the city. How pretty it looks with
the Aqueduct bridge spanning the
river at the end of Georgetown and the
Washington monument and capitol in
the distance. Right opposite us, on the
Virginia side of the Potomac, are two
houses picturesquely situated among
grove of trees and with the American
flag flying from their tops. We had
better, however, admire them from the
safe distance of the Maryland shore; as,
despite their innocent appearance, they
are said to be the home of the great
American tiger.
Now let US continue our drive. For a
short time we lose sight Of the river, al
though travelling in the same direction.
AS we get upon higher ground we come
in sight Of the first reservoir. This is a
beautiful sheet of clear water from
which the city is supplied with alleged
aqua puris- 1t is hard to explain the
transition from the clear water Of the
reservoirs to the muddy fluid which is
saes from the faucets in our town
houses at this season of the year. Pretty
country villas dot the landscape in the
neighborhood of the reservoirs, of (which
there are five. An electric road is IN
operation by q roundabout route from
Georgetown to Glen Echo, in conse-
quence of which boom" is on and the
real estate dealers are fourishing.
Leaving the first reservoir we pass
over a comparatively level stretch of
ground until the road takes sudden
dip and we pass over a bridge spanning
another reservoir. Up the hill on the
other side we come upon the road again,
which is here as smooth as the track at
racecourse, and along which it is a
pleasure to drive. The horses seem to
find a similar enjoyment in carrying
their masters along at an increased rate
of speed, and here it is that the fun
| comes in and the numerous brushes
take place. Let US stop for a few min
utes on one side of the road and watch
the steady stream of Washington So
| ciety drive past In the van comes a
blonde young man in a very high dog
cart. He is from New York and came
here with the spring races and, making
s'a big stake" became so charmed with
| Washington life that he has remained
ever since. He will not be able to hold
his lead long with that heavy-wheeled
cart. Immediately behind him, and in
marked contrast, comes the brougham
of Senator Stockbridge, who takes
pleasant afternoon Here Is a
blackboard with four young
people out for Sundays frolic. That
fne-looking old gentleman with the
gray side whis5ers is the British minis
ter, Sir Julian Pauncefote, and that
smooth-faced man in the red-wheeled
Brewster broughara right behind is the
vice president, Mr.. rtMorton. That