The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-01-14
The Home Visit.

wears. L 1nlfUy-elgllU years ftSO | ,
left a quaint, old Pennsylvania
town of about four thousand inhabi-
fants situated on the left bank of the
Susquehanna river. The riverat this
point is little over a mile wide and
with my little eyes could not discern
moying objects on the opposite shore.
6'de principal hotel was a three story
prick building with massive doors,
ilafge locks with keys weighing several
9unces. The window sash were filed
with glass 10x12. Many, many times
5, stood before this building in wrapt
/, 'dmiration and longed for the time
' le}eR it would be my privilege to beaa
sgsusst in a hostelry SO grand as this
seemed to be. The principal street
was in worse condition, if possible,
than the main street in Oakland.
There was the same lack of enterprise |
among the property owners, the same !
cry about high taxes as prevail in
Oakland to-day. Like Oakland many |
Ol our SlItblS were llhc SJSV r IlINllIlOps |
therefore in wet weather those were
in fair condition. Many of the resi-
dent streets were lined with small
shade trees mere saplins. A few weeks
ago returned to my native town to
spend the holidays. How wonderfully
changed. The river seemed narrower
now; | could plainly see pedestrians on
| the other shore. Istood by the grand
old river in which | used to bathe,
boat, fish and indulge in all manner OF
aquatic sport. On it's icy surface with
blades of steel and with sled and not
infrequently with horse and sleigh
crossed and recrossed. My palace no
stories, with the same little 10x12 win
dow panes, the same high doors and
mammoth locks and keys. The small
! saplins had become mighty trees the
branches of which interlaced with
their neighbors across the way form
ing an arch and making a beautiful
| dllu dIlNOMdN hC dCCP
muddy streets had given place to the
modern brick pavements. Electric
lights and gas had taken the place Of
tallow dips and lard oil lamps, electric
cars running through many Of the
principal streets, one line extending
ten miles into the country and four
miles in another direction. Old fogy
ideas long since have been relegated to
the rear. A progressive element took
control of this little staid old town
and lifted it from it's lethargy making
it busy and beautiful city of about
i, $4,000 inhabitants. | looked for my
companions in youth and found the
names of many, oh! so many carved
= in cold white marble. The few re
', naming were heads of families anC
some were grand parents. Those who
. were in middle life, when | left my
. early home had long since passed
i away. Twas surely disappointed will
: the companions of my school-boy day
and doubt not they were equally a.
- much disappointed with myself
' They were not what | expected to fine
them. had forgotten that they wer
V no longer boys. | had forgotten tina
time must have wrought grea
change in them. | had forgotte
= that | too had greatly changed an
had lost my Pennsylvania Dutc
identity, and had taken on wester
ways. In memory turned back t
- last Decoration Day, when anothe
one had returned to Oakland after a
; absence of thirty years from tn
scenes of his boyhood. [ thought {
:. the time that this gentleman eXhil
- tied no small degree of selfishness
not calling on his friends and a
quaintances. | understand now
e little of the sadness which possesse
him when he beheld the markC
- changes which had taken place in h
companions of thirty years ago.
looked in vain for the spot where II
n parents resided for many years.
90 trace was left by which | could loca
,o it. Large business blocks lined ii
street and all familiar landmarks hs
been obliterated. 1t was with mut
difficulty | found the house in whiC
first saw the light of day. | went
ed the door and lifted a large iron do
X knocker which had done service
Is nearly seventy years, and hammer
"a. on it's anvil. The noise it made echo
OK through the wide, spacious hallwa
ne Ny summonswas answered by neat
M attired lady of about seventy yea1
ne After introducing myself and makil
dy known my wish she invited me into
ne plainly furnished parlor. Iasked b
if it would be agreeable for her
conduct me through the house. "Wi
'ur pleasure l will show you through
we she said where do you wish to
he first she asked. Into the kitche
IRE | replied. To the kitchen she &C
on Quoted me. took seat near tai
ore which occupied the same relative |
nd sition my mothers table did so vel
l. !