Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-07-05

to the outside
World.
Change is written on the face ofall things
Not many years haye passed since the shreks
OF an Abel at the hands of Cain made large
territories start and tremble but now we
calmly read the latest tragedy as relish to
our morning meal or wooer of sleep. These
tragedies are noted and forgotten because OF
their prevailing frequently and the artful
quletness and skill Of the modern Gains. But
the tragedies to which we give least thought
are the Lying deaths by which we are sur.
rounded every day and which, because ofthe
heroic fortitude of the sufferers, are meyer
recorded. Such, though little suspected by
those with whom daily associated, was my
life.
One ceaseless round of toll from week to
week, from month to month, which, though
not arduous, was perpleXlng, caused me to
falter by the way. The same sight met me
day by day. The same sounds were con-
stantly recurring The same gripman
grinned at me from the mysterious cable car
every morning, the same motorman every
evening seemed silently pointing me back to
something hidden and not attalnable, by the
slim wire above his car which moves with
out any apparent motive force. The same
sun sent its rays of heat unwayeringly and
unpityingly, Notwithstanding my fever heat
cd blood yea, seemed to breathe and re-
breathe the same atmosphere till my brain
reeled with maddening sensation of same
ness. Wearicd and exhausted, night after
night passed and my senses seemed about to
desert me.
Suddenly one morning at 3 o'clock, after a
slcepess night resolved to take the first
train to the nearest mountain. 1passed some
money to the agent, showed my ticket to the
gateman, passed down the stairway, hastily
boarded the incoming train and quite shortly
was oblivious to my surroundings either from
complete exhaustion or from sense of dar-
ing because of my reckless gong knew not
whittier and without haying left clew ofmy
intentions.
Be, with its molly mass of humanity
and its unchanging, relentless tread ofactiy-
ity, cvinced by monotone of unquictness,
was lying behind me and my slumbering
fancy pictured naught but sense of relief
Just as consciousness fully returned, we
halted at Thurmont, at the base of the noun
tain, and suddenly decided to be guided by
impulse once more and stop here instead of
going further westward into the midst ofthc
mountain.
1t was 6 q. M, and the glorious vistas that
met my gaze laid before me on every hand
a series of surprises, which feel unable 10
fully describe.
The sun had just risen and was flooding
the country with its glory. From every
bush and tree the feathered songster, COM
missioned by God himself, were checrlly
singing. The air was redolent from the
blossoms of various fruit trees and spring
flowers, and contentcd, peaceful quiet hoy
cred over all, which, while breathing rest
and repose to my weary frame, aroused
higher and noblcr feelings which, having
been long dormant, tancled dead and in.
voluntarily exclaimed surely this is elysium
Thus started into CONSCIOUSNESS, noticed
that the stat ion was fine brick one sur
rounded by neatly trimmed grass plats
and vases OF flowers. Just at this juncture
a youth quietly and politely asked me wheth-
er would ride and where wanted my
baggage taken. Here again was surprised
to find SO many easy, comfortable conveyan-
ces in which for a small sum one may be
taken to any part Of the town.
The depot, being ut one side, no Just
idea of the size of the town can be ascertaincd
without tour ofinvestigation. As l passed
along the street noticed that the houses
were all neatly painted. all looked comforta-
BILE and some quite commodlous, yard
showing a kindly regard for flowers and
grass surrounded nearly every home and
most had good pavemen,s before them and
many shade trees form an arch way over
some Of the streets.
Being stranger in strange country, l
was guided to a hotel. After an appetising
breakfast, started for stroll through this
new town to me and saw that the entire town
was Just as attractive as the street by which
you enter.
was surprised to find eight religious
having churches in town
of 900 inhabitants but suppose they are
by the attendance of many people
from the thicklysettled farming community
which surrounds this attractive mountain
village. A fine supply of the purest noun
tain water is conveyed though the town and
furnishes comfort to the homes and a pro-
lection against fire through an efficiently
fire company
just to continue nay self-appointed task Of
sauntered into a store and
by dint of inquiry was surprised to ascertain
the different varieties Of stores, including
several drug stores, existing in this hitherto
unknown place to me.
also learned that there was another hotel
in the town and many private homes where
worn and weary city people could be accom-
modated with substantial comforts and yet
be almost within sight of their city home
and wondered why they would go two or
three hundred miles to crowded fashionable
resorts to spend their vacation among less