The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-03-26


The recent opening OF the burial vault NJ
the Sewell family, at 'Holly Hail." once
more directed attention to this mausoleum.
The custom that prevailed in the early
part OF the century, or, for that matter,
ever since the settlement of the colony. OF
setting apart a portion Of the estate as a
burial lot has gone the way of number Of
old-time customs, and more's the pity. The
writer OF this column, as IA boy, played
around the grass-covered hill overlooking
the Elk river that contains all that is NOR
tai OF the Sewell family, and came to look
upon this temple Of the dead with more
reverence than is bestowed upon the aver
age cemetery, with its long, untdy grass
and glaring headstones.
To his youthful mind it seemed an ideal
place for the worldweary mortal to be laid
at rest The tall trees that screened the
vault from the heavens, and the sluggish
river stones throw away, while through
the underbrush could be seen the fine old
mansion that served as perpetual monu-.
ment to the name of Sewell-all these
features OF the Sewell vault come back
with memory and serve to remind one that
some OF the customs OF the early century
are better fitted to survive than the latter
day fashions we have taken up.
*X*
Verify it is true, each day bring some--
thing new new. This time it was a poor.
weary old tramp, whose silvery locks hung
over frowned and storm beaten face, OF
three score years and ten, the allotted time
of man. Too proud to beg and too honor
able to steal he quietly wended his way
down Main street, on Tuesday selling
some small household articles from door to
door. Trade was excellent until the "man
of the road, reached that part of town,
known as Gas House Hill. Then his
trouble met him double and his Journey
came very unexpectedly to sudden end.
His keen eye caught the sight of two city
policemen, who were here attending court.
and just at this time they were viewing
Of the road" knew nothing of the blue
coats mission. His trampship whispered to
a representative of the WIG, "you have
city here. Now know a thing or two,
and them cops can't run me in, see! and a
good run is far better than bad stand, so
here CO." He was good as his word and
down Gas House Hill he went; across the
marsh to the iron bridge He then turned and
waved his faded hat to the WING man and
quietly moved on toward Chesapeake CITY
*x#
An old inhabitant stood in the shelter of
the court house door on Thursday afternoon
and watched the rain come down-a popu-
lar pastime in Elkton this week-and as
he looked he grew reminiscent. II don't
call this backward spring. he said, ''but
somehow or other the weather reminds me
of the spring of 1873. Talk about q back
ward spring, that year had no spring to
talk about. On June 2, of that year there
came frost and the corn was killed and
also the wheat. Or, to 90 back further,
you may recollect the spring of 1888 ="
The listener didn't however, and the old
inhabitant continued: ION May 10, of
that year heavy frost occurred, killing
the rye and other crops. Actually, the ice
formed on tire roads so hard you could
drive wagon across it without breaking it.
We don't have such weather now" And
the old inhabitant shook his head sorrow
fully.
~
A young electrician of Elkton is working
on plans for a saddle which he will fit
with an electric battery, to increase the
speed of slow horses, According to
rumors he has his invention almost COM
plete and is looking about for horse to
experiment upon and realize his great
dreams of wealth.