The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-02-24

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berland that night but were refused
admittance to the fort, as the news of
Braddock's defeat had reached the
fort and they took every precautiOn
against surprise or treachery. The
hunters camped that night outside
the fort. The negro died on the
mountain and thus the name, Negro
mountain.
The next place of interest we find is
Little Crossing, where Washington
camped when on his mission to the
French commander the year before
Braddock's expedition. There is a
beautiful stone bridge built over the
Little Crossing river, silent criticism
on our superfluousbuildings of to-day.
What pity our citizens did not ap-
preciate their possessions more for on
coming closer we find the hands of
vandals have beenat work. The entire
parapet has disappeared and in its
place we find an unsightly wire fence.
Proceeding up the sloping Little
Crossing hill we glance back. What
a picture is presented to the eye?
Grantsville nestled among the hills,
lying close to the mountain as if ap-
pealing for shelter, the beautiful farms
dotted here and there, with their large
maple groves, is a picture better de-
picted by the brush than the pen. Re
luctantly we turn from the beautiful
scene and resume our Journey.
We soon reach the Stone House,
which has been built almost a cen
tury. Here we pause and think. If
stones could speak what a tale this
old house could unfold! What plans
and hopes were matured or shattered
under the roof that sheltered states
men, scientists, artists, soldiers and
tourists on their way to and from the
great..west. Then crowds had to be
turned away. Now it is a farm house
with half it's rooms unoccupied.
Looking to the north we see the
CLEAN of marble which bespeaks the
home of the dead. If we take the
trouble to leave the Pike we will find
this grave yard one of the relics of
past. 1t was intended for a family
grave yard. A part was set aside for
the burial place of the slaves. What
thoughts of the future must the man
who built this hotel have had. But
it only proves to us that distinct fam
lilies do not prosper in a democracy.
Although it took Braddock nearly
two days to come from the Shades of
Death to Little Meadows it will take
us less than an hour to walk from
here to the Shades of Death, now
called Shade Mills. When we reach
there we will find the shadow of death
has disappeared and instead of tall,
somber pines chanting their requiem
as in the days when Washington, Clay,
Harrison and Tyler travelled over the
road, we find green fields and several
fine residences, one of them the home
of one of Garrett county's most pros
porous citizens.
| Many places of interest could be
pointed out between here and Frost
but but the day is drawing to a close
and our journey is almost ended.
When we come to the toll gate we
find that nothing remains of it but
two upright pillars whose use seems
to be to advertise the wares of the
Frostburg merchants. Unfortunately
the toll house was burned down some
years ago and | understand there is
but one of these house now standing
and that is in Allegany county.
With many regrets we leave the
scenes of the past and with smiles and
hope for the future we hasten to
Frostburg when warm supper and
nights rest await us.
MARY G. DORSEY.