Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-23

lockkeeper. Mr.. Kerfoot, very agreeable
in fact all the employees Of the canal COM
pany showed US all the kindness in their
power. but some were more accustomed to
being interviewed than others. The level
above No. 40 may properly be called dead
mans level. 1t Is said that more accidents
from drowning have occurred here than at
any other place on the canal
The sun had hardly dissipated the fog the
next morning before we were on our way.
The carly morning hour on the canal IL by
far the most enjoyable part of the day. 1t
Is then that the shadows are long. and the
reflections In the water clear. the scenery
seems to have been freshened by the even
ing dew and placed on duty duly renovated
for the inspection of another day.
After the Flood.
At Mercersville We saw traces of the
great flood of 1889. which marks an epoch
in the calendar Of the canal people An
event Is located as being before the flood,
long before the flood, and quite a while
after the flood.
The water s-ks are yet seen I'D among
the branches Oh the trees, and the ruined
warehouses and the tenantless houses along
the canal bear silent witness to that ter
rible devastation that made many q family
homeless and penniless.
The River as q Canal.
At guard lock No. 4 the canal ends, or is
interrupted. Here we were locked into the
river and the tow line is changed from the
left to the right hand side Of the boat The
river Is used for canal purposes for about
four miles. when by another lock boats are
lifted into the canal again. The trip of four
miles through the river Is one of the bright
spots In canal travelling. You feel that you
have plenty of sea room. the world seems
larger, your boat seems smaller. you feel
that you have more latitude to roam about
IN. and more like sailor less like canal
err"
A short distance before we reached wnl-
transport we met q boat huckster. and hail
ing him we soon had an opportunity to pur-
chase everything the market afforded The
youngster was a clever salesman and It was
amusing to watch the diplomacy with which
ne nrst called our attention to the most
necessary articles he had in his boat such
as potatoes. butter and milk and then led
US on to the subject of roasting ears, cucum-
bers and lima beans. then a step higher to
the Injuries, such as peaches. melons. ap-
pies, &c.
We reached williamsport at about O'Clock
at evening, having travelled twenty eight
miles that day. At the wharf where we
tied our boat We were duly inspected by the
village urcbins, who had been expecting Us
for several days. II was the FIRST who seen
her., said zone proudly, as he brought Q
troop OF his comrades down to inspect the
new arrival.
At early candle light the young men and
matdens paraded past on q tour OF insi, ec-
ton
At Williamsport We purchased supply OF
ice. grain for the mule. oil for our stove.
and at early morn before the admiring vii
layers had any suspicion Of our intentions
We were on the homeward stretch. We had
Travelled 100 miles on the canal. and while
pleased with our trip We felt that our vaca-
ton had ended and our return to the COM
forts of home were now In order. Our return
trip was a rapid one. In less than four days
We made the journey that had occupied
about thirteen days on our way up the canal
G. e b,