Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1896-01-24
Way aown in Old vIrsInla-No- 3

With sleep-laden eyes our annual
tour TO the hospitable home of Mr..
and Mrs. Henry Harrington on the
Rappahannock river, down in Old
Virginia, was commenced on Sunday
evening, Dec 80, 1895. Our party
was TO have been composed of Gov
ernor Watson, james o. Chamber
lain and the writer; but at the last
hour the Governor was detained by
the death ola relatives and our annual
hunting expedition for ducks, geese
and wild turkey opened up with
isappointment-bu even this did
not weigh upon us sufficiently for us
20 disappolnt our Virginia friends
The memory of good times of former
wears was strong upon Chamberlain
and 1. We knew how sweet and
toothsome the ducks, geese and tur-
KEYS glew-aye, and how delicious
the hogs backbone, warm rolls and
hot coffee are served down in Old
Virginia at friend HarringtOn's, and
while we heaved a sigh OF regret for
the Governors absenee,ye our eyes
soon snapped with delightful antici-
patton of the sights and good things
in store for us at the end of OR three
hundred mile journey. Blessed in
deed are those who are capable OF
LAYING down the harness OF business
for even two brief weeks, and enjoy
that period in pure and unalloyed
pleasure-withOut even a newspaper
TO bring news of the dOings of the
outside world. Such was our out
ing.
We left Harrington at 2.22 a. m.
on December 80, and arrived at Fred
ericksburg, Va via Washington, at
IN. m. that day. At this old city
we had two hours in which to drive
over the battle grounds, visit the
National Cemetery, and other points
ofhistoric interest. fredericksburg
has improved since the war, but like
many of its sister cities progress has
been slow. 1t claims now about
5000 population, but there are but
few manufacturing industries, and the
place depends largely upon agricul-
tural products for its prosperity.
All of the new part of the city is
built directly on the ground over
which the federal troops drove their
foes, and the marks of grim war are
plainly seen on many of the older
houses and stone walls - but the
steamers deep whistle warns us that
the sailing hour is near at hand, and
we hurry to the wharf where we
found the colored freight handlers
hustling the last part of the freight
on board.
Our start from Fredericksburg
was in rain storm and high wind
which compelled us to keep under
shelter of the two covered decks; but
this was blessing in disguise, for il
caused us to seek the comradeshiI
of the purser, ! Mr.. John Dare, Of Bal
timore, who is as jolly a good fellow
as over wore brass buttons or DOTTED
hat to fair lady. Mr. Dare is al
Eastern Shore man and married al
Eastern Shore lady-sO, of course
it was not long before we we're sing
ing, "For He is Jolly Good Eel
low" etc.; but if any of our readers
ever have occasion to go up the Rap
pahannOck, and take passage on tn
steamer Richmond, they should 10
fail to make the acquaintance OF Nj
John Dare, the purser-for HE IS!
Jolly good fellow, and Johnny is hi
name. Captain Gurley and the othe
officers are all first-class good mel
but we have a warm happy re
membrance of our trip up and dow
the Rappahannock with John, ant
therefore-it is not because we low
Cesar less, but that we love Rom
more, is why we place the purser Oh
the pinnacle of our memory. Will
time was passing pleasantly tn
steamer tied up at LeedstOwn in
terrific wind and rain storm and re
NAMED there all night--so we di'
not reach MAYORS Wharf.-The plac
of our debarkatlon-until Tuesda.
morning about o'clock. Here W
first saw our friend Henry VIII
shouted his welcome before even tn
lines were made fast Bidding gooC
bye to our steamer frlends,we turne'
attention to showing our luggage int
friend Harrington's wagon, and in
brief half hour we were at "Cron
dell Farm"
How impotent are words to cor
yey intelligence of our welcome
How happy smiles wreathed tn
faces of all-from that best Of hos
pitable women MRS. Harrington
down to the tiniest child, "Littl
Henry"-all welcoming Uncle Jim
and ssUncle Townsend All, sue
scenes come to us rarely in life, ant
the wholesonled warm welcome a
"Crondell Farm" is one of the chic
memories we entertain of our visits
Every little attention is thought out
A cheerful fire in our sleeping room
IA table spread for our powder, sho
and shells-and, even a sugar bow
spoon, glasses and pitcher Of water
ready for use-and we used them
Il did think / would not say any
thing about this; but it was all Coy
ernor Watson s faultanyway; becaus
he had ordered from Senator 10
Blackburn a case Of extra Kentuck.,
stock, and for one could not bea
to have the feelings OF anyone hur
over 80 small matter, so l took u
the sugar, spoon, glass and bourbon
Just the same as if the Governor ha'
been there.
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