The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-03-23
From the Baltimore Sunday Herald.

From the Baltimore Sunday Herald.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
Continuing our way some 800
yards down this meadow we reached
the homestead of Mr.. Siias Walter,
a well-to-do farmer. Everything
round was exceedingly inviting il
appearance. The barn and out.
houses were large and seemed to
have been built so as to meet everv
convenience. The dwelling was
oldfashionec, one story, long, with
the roof projecting so as to form a
shelter over the porch, which vas
also long with balustrade, having
an entrance in the centre. Rather
a large garden lies directly
in front, with small yard between
the garden and the house. Every
little nook and corner and even
along the sides of the garden fence
were profusion as well as variety
of flowers, and, though probably
not of rare character, were sufficl-
ent evidence that there was some
one near who understood their
language. admired and loved to
revel in their modest beauty.
Mr.. Walter met us at the gate,
gave us cordial greeting and in
vited us into the house, but we pre-
ferred and asked to be seated on
the porch.
The farm was large and mostly
under cultivation, covering the
graceful slope of mountain and
extending to its apex on which was
seemingly thriving orchard. l
was soon. after numerous inquiries,
deeply interested in his farming
operations. | learned that his
dairy and sheep were the most pro-
fitable branches of his farm. The
first ever commanded a good price,
while his lambs, with but little la
Dor and expense averaged 81 and
sometimes IS a head.
Eastward from where we were
seated. but at some distance, lin the
cove of a mountain was situated the
farm of Mr.. Rudolph Beckman,
who is one of the leading farmers
and stock -raisers IN Western Mary
land. Here and there could be
seen droves of cattle feeding. and
flocks of sheen under the shade of
trees left standing. doubtless, for
that purpose. 1t reminded me of
just such rural pictures as ] had
often looked upon in the more fer
tile lands of Shenandoah and Rock
ingham counties, Va.
After little while Mrs. Walter,
with an avoirdupoise of at least $50,
dressed as usual to country ladies
who have to do their own house
work, made her appearance. The
sleeves of her dress were rolled up
to her elbows. In one hand she
held her knitting, IN the other a
low, splint-bottomed chair. After
the usual formalities incident to
such occasions, she took a seat d.
rectly opposite from where we were
seated.
The conversation had covered va
rious little topics when | said:
MADAME, am hardly what may
be termed an old man, yet, looking
at you as you are at present en-
gagged. the sweetest memories of my
childhood days come viyidly before
me. They lie so far back that only
just such scene could awaken
them"
"Iou mean my sitting here knit
tlng?'
eyes, madam" | replied.
81 have been doing this so many
days, so long, that it has grown to
be part of me. could not con-
tent myself without it. | don t
wait until winter time to do my
Knitting, but at spare moments all
through the year, and before the
knittlng,l have the rolls to spin IN
to yarn. We have twelve children.
nine daughters and three sons, all
married and left their nest, except
4 daughter ana one son. This
large family gave me a great many
stockings to knit, but not as many
as after the girls had grown up
some. Then ! had the old man to
see after, assist and keep warm.
You see the kettle mad to boil all
this time. he hAl mt only 10 got