The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-07-30

To the Editor of The Republican.
In June, 1880, we took a lone
horseback ride from Frostburg over
the old National road to the noun
tains. Every permanent object was
scanned. Indeed there was but
little that was not as familiar as the
features of an old acquaintance.
Each iron mile post, erect, PROSTATE
or broken, was noted. They were
planted now more than sixty years
ago.
The bridges and culyerts were
there as of yore, except the mutila-
ted and vandalized walls. The
same limpid and pure streams of
water were crossed. The first was
the Savage creek, hurrying its wa
tiers south to help make up the
great Potomac. Only a mile fur
tier is a IT, iitating riyulet
trending its orth to be lost
again and again IN the many waters
that make the great father of riy-
ers, the Mississippi. All the streams
onward went the same course with
the magnetic needle. But seem
ingly no eye could see or mind
understand why or how two
small streamlets should flow in
contra directions, but so it was and
is.
The road itself, once the RIVAL IN
beauty and smoothness Of the ave
nues OF Washington city, was moth
ing more or better than a county
-oad. The blue limestone that IN
the early eighteen thirties that was
broken and spread over it until it
become as concrete, had been gone
for many years-nOt yestIge Of it
to be seen. The inns, or taverns,
that used to be more numerous than
the mile posts referred to, are gone
with only a few eXceptions-none
kept as such. On Red Ridge still
stands an old, empty, dilapldated
frame building, once a popular
hotel, now Stunned and feared be-
cause it is believed that two murders
were enacted IN it, one more than
sixty years. The ride referred to
carried the rider to the summit Of
Chestnut Ridge. A long halt was
taken to gaze at the splendid piano.
rama that presented itself for miles
to the right and left and in the
advance. Nothing but natural
beauties could be seen, and that,
too, with the enrichments that no
month in the year can lend as
Jane. The gaze was almost inspi-
ration. At any rate it resulted in
the preparation and publication of
a series of articles or papers, costing
considerable labor and research,
in the summer of 1880, upon the
old National road. And after a
slumber Of sixteen years, Will again
appear with a variety Of other mat
ter in a book of about $50 pages to
be called "Brown's Miscellaneous
Writings" The printer, Mr.. J. J.
Miller, of Cumberland, has just
completed his work of printing, so
in short while the book, such as
it is, will be ready for all who may
want it.
A few days ago another trip from
the same point was made, this time
in very comfortable spring wagon
with enjoyable company. Soon the
top of Little Savage was reached.
A halt for an eastward "gaze' upon
magnificent panorama, bringing
in view the mountain ranges even
east Of Cumberland, with Frostburg
nicely placed in the grand intake.
This beautiful outlook was greatly
admired by Lord Napier, the Brit
ish minister to this country many
years ago. He spent summer in
Frostburg and frequently resorted
to it to ''feast the eye" He had
the trees cut down that INSTRUCTED
the view, but new ones have grown
in the places of the old. But we
pass on over the old familiar route.
The physical objects are now about
the same as in times of yore, only
older and less slightly or enjoyable.
At length the historic Little Mead
ows is reached. Another halt to
give employment to contemplations
and thoughts of things that hap
pened here in the long "unliving
past" From this reministic spot
we turn by right angle to the left
and southwark, and at the end Of
three miles reach our coveted haven
of rest, where so many seasons in
the near and deep past have been
spent.
"Hunter's Art" is beautiful
tract Of 1926 acres surveyed in the
memorable year TIA, and strange
to say remains intact to- day, not an
acre added nor taken off. It's now
the valuable property of Mr.. Ross
Compton, former county treasurer.
Tradition, +bn p,O+bor Of bietorv-