Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-04-26


say right here that believe it is the
best way to visit the capital. One
meets and travels with the same peo-
pie, gains acquaintance, is free from.
care and trouble and the expense is
much less than one could secure the
same privileges alone.
Our party numbered about 100, in
the proportion of five women to one
man. came to the conclusion that
either the maiden ladies were on the
increase in number, or that the hus-
bands were tending the babies at
home, preferring to "see the town"
some other time, possibly alone. The
party comprised New Englanders,
largely, many being from eastern
Massachusetts,. All were out for a
good time, conventionalities were
thrown aside, and it was not long be-
fore we found ourselves at ease with
our very intelligent and agreeable
companions.
| AT PHILADELPHIA.
The train sped on to Philadelphia
without stop. Here we had four
hours for sightseeing. The mint,
Wanamaker's store and independence
hall are the points of chief interest.
All are located on Chestnut street.
At the mint, we were divided into
squads and permitted to inspect the
process of making coin-through
gratings. Guides explained the var
ious stages. The metal-gold, silver,
nickel or eopper-is melted and given |
the proper alloy, then the ingOts are
rolled out into strips of the proper |
thickness for the coin to be minted, /
then these strips are punched fun of 4
round holes like dOughnut-dougn and /
the ''holes' or the disks that come out /
Of them are stamped into "coin Of the .
realm" Everything is carefully ac-
counted for nothing IS entrusted to /
individual honesty. Before a vault 1
door our guide stopped us and in
formed US that $50, 100000 in silver
dollars were stored inside. As we
passed on, wondered why he didn't .
make it $500, 10000 We could not
have disputed him. In one apart
mcnt Of the mint there is very ex-
tensive collection Of old and current
coins, but as ''all coins look alike 70
me- we passed out a side door into
the street.
Wanamaker's store is considered
one of the sights Of Philadelphia. 1t
is certainly a great mercantile bazaar,
but does not surpass several other
large stores in New York or even
Boston. IL was in the height Of
Easter season, and the ladies thronged
the counters.
independence hall is a good walk
further on. Il is a brick structure of
Old-time design familiar TO all stu
dents of history. 1t is carefully Il
and preserved for its associa-
tons Of revolutionary times. IL is
not as large as Dubois Il Gays block I
in Randolph. Inside, there are sew
'ral rooms, in one Of which the Dec
aration of Independence was signed.
Congress met in the same hall, which
Is about as large as Grange hall, Ran
lolph. Many Of the old chairs and
lne or two desks Of the period are TO ;
DC seen here. One can hardly con-
,eive that our mighty government
lad so humble beginning. In this I
is the Liberty Bell, rung ~ ]
he signing Of the declaration. with :
he crack down ITS side that has fixed I
I wildly in memory. In another {
Dom we are told that ii was here the /
lead and wounded were brought }
lfter the battle Of Germantown. The I
walls are plentifully hung with por- /
rats Of Colonial and Revolutionary
heroes. Somehow, one feels thrill
n this old hall and time speeds fast {
IS voices from the past speak to the /
oul.
on To WASHINGTON. In
We are back at the railroad restau-
ant for late dinner-excuse me, |
mean luncheon-and very hungry, !
90. In the coach smoker. after we !
lad resumed our Journey, / fell in
With an old Union veteran, who was !.
IN his way to visit Richmond his
irst visit since the war. Somehow,
hese old fellows have laundering 10
20 down there just once anyway to
zee how things have changed since q
hey fought over the dark and
bloody ground" There was also !
mother veteran Of the Army Of the
Potomac in the smoker, and their g
tories entertained me for a pleasant 0
hour.
The Susquehanna river doesn't look D
'ery big on the map, but where the
B. x .. bridge crosses it there is a u
broad expanse Of water-one of the Z
argest rivers ! have ever seen. The i
bridge is very high, too. L
AT Baltimore, we pass through the u
.ity by passing under il. going Z
through tunnel mile and a quarter n
ong, lighted by a thousand incan- I
iescent lights. d
From Baltimore to Washington the v
country Is fiat, rather barren and I'M u
interesting. \ few miles out of D
Washington our train came TO a sion o
or several minutes. In was NOT uptii Y