The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-04-02
A VISIT TO ELK NECK.
Baltimore Lady Visits the Scenes of Her Childhood and
Recalls Old Friends and Familiar Places.

revisit my old home, farm on the
Elk river, and take some photo views Of
nlaces that are so sacred in my memory, as
we went along My father named the
farm "Bachelor's Rest" because he, in
single blessedness had settled on the old
Mace that had descended to him from his
forefathers: but his dream of bliss was Of
short duration, for in a very little time
after he took unto himself wife. Yes,
thought it would be nice; and as my mind
fingered upon it how like pleasant dream
ut seemed; but to my surprise a short time
after in came my son to make my dream a
reality. 1t was Just such September day
when we would gather the hops and dry
apples, in ye olden times, when we started.
As we were to revisit old scenes we
took boat for Chesapeake City The winds
were not tempestuous, the old bay was
very calm and quiet. There are many
Ihugs that have forgotten in connection
with former voyages on the bay, but one
thing | will never forget, and that is that |
crossed it in storm; the nausea! the re-
membrance OF the terrible sca-sickness
fingers with me yet
There was nothing of much interest
occurred until we came in view of Turkey
Point, where the Elk, North East and Sus-
auehanna rivers come together and empty
into the bay. There stood that bold pro-
montory, with its red clay walls and light
house, looking much the same as when my
childish eyes first caught glimpse of it.
Our interest is awakened after we pass the
Point, and now we are gliding up the Elk
river.
We first come in view of Town Point,
the home and birthplace of an old friend,
Mrs Cazier; then Port Herman, to which
place our Bohemian citizens make their
yearly pilgrimage How memory cherishes
80 many incidents connected with all these
places. ! could recognize some of the old
farm houses that were near the water.
There in bend of the river on the Elk
Neck side, which, perhaps, to anyone else,
would be hidden entirely from view, (but
I knew just where to look nestled the
home of our old friends, the Piercey s, cold
Fields Point" Am dreaming or am |
in reality middleaged woman looking off
the deck OF a steamer at that old mansion
Il should like to know, it is so much like
a dream!
We find ourselves now at the mouth Ct
Back Creek. Here is where some of the
Elk Neck boys Fosters that used to run
on the boats, always blew the whistle to
let mother know" that they were there,
She lived in that house on the bill opposite.
The whistle does not blow now; the boys
are not here and mother is not there On
the next farm coming up | miss a long
white old fashioned house with high
pOrches, the barn looks familiar, though.
All! | see, now, some one has bought the
old place Rutter and has torn down the
old whitewashed landmark, aud has put
up more imposing modern structure,
gayly painted, in its place. AS we enter
the mouth of the creek strain my eyes to
the opposite shore, there stands apparently
the same skirt of woods that hides my old
home from view. The creek up which we
are blowing narrows, rushes grow on either
side, the cattle are in the water up to their
breasts for protection from the flies and hot
rays of the sun.
the locks, they open and we enter, and
gradually we begin to rise. So faithful is
my memory in this respect that it seems
bat short time since passed that way
before, and yet it must be at lest forty
five years. We are now at Chesapeake
City and leave the boat and enter the hot,
dusty old town to await the arrival OF the
Elkton stage. The route to Elkton is so
familiar, almost every turn in the road and
every hill we climb brings to mind some
incident OF the past. But who can describe
the warm, hearty welcome of old friends
at the end of the journey? Somehow we
Feel that they understand US better, or per-
haps are more lenient to our faults than
the friends OF later years. Be that as it
may, 1t Is so sweet and precious to our
souls to meet with those of our youth.
Opposite the beautiful home of our friends
and entertainers, John Alexander's, is the
old academy attended when girl. On
the sabbath we went to the old church in
which we were married (Elkton M. Z. !,
and had the pleasure of calling on the old
pastor, who ofliciated at that ceremony,
Rev. Benz. F. Price. He is superannuated
now, having served more than sixty wears
i'll the ministry, being the Oldest in point
OF service in the Wilmington Conference
but so bright and CHEEKY was he that we
thought surely time had dealt very kindly
with him.
The morning after our arrival in Elkton
our kind friend and host had his team in
readiness to take us and the camera to the
old farm in the "Neck." AS we journeyed
along we noticed many Improvements, but
the hills never looked so steep before. We
thought, is it possible when girl we drove
over these hills! we would hesitate to do il
now.