The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-10-11
INTERESTING LETTER.
Maple Street-in- -the-Hflls,
 Gay,+ % 1oOi

from the train which leaves us study ing the name of the village station in big whitewashed stone letters on the terrace in it's rear. We are accosted by a broad-shouldered Jehu, who says, 'Is this the party who is going to Mir. Not news?"
 Being the prospective guests of MT. Notnew, We packed ourselves and lug gage in the conveyance in waiting and enjoyed three mile drive ovr which l write and which I shall regret to leave.
 The town is not on a direct railroad, but is secluded. Its feature of beauty is the main street, nearly two miles long, wide and with immense naples on either side. The houses are mostly white, and in good repair; while the lawns surrounding each home are care fully kept and a wonderful profusion of plants and blossoms give a bright line of color and delight to the eye of the visitor. It seems the village is yearly visited by select company of New Ha- ven people, who have kept the monopo- ly and have not cast abroad the story of their retreat. In respect to their evil dent secret I have dated my letter, as
 the village might be named, for I have stumbled upon their retreat quite inno-
 gently, and have no wish to disturb their seclusiOn. Being comfortably
 lodged and perceiving unmistakable
 signs of dining-ro0m excellence, we
 abandoned ourselves to the delights of country tramps and drives. The latter
 carried us to the more distant points and rewarded us with the most entran- cling views, but the shorter foot jaunts
 equally repaid us.
 Having an inquiring mind there was little of local interest which escaped our notice, and each day brought to light some item for discussion or information.
 We walked south over the fine stone bridge which spans the 'ravine" to the
 green, which is embraced by the maple lined street, it's arms meeting beyond the quiet square to stretch away over the hills. Towards the north the street
 presents 8 succession of attractive country homes, with a faithful dog or purring puss as evidence of a kindly life within doors. To the east the road lied to a hollow, across a tiny brook,
 where little fish might give hint of bigger ones up stream, for which 1t woulr be quite worth while to cast
 line. The roadside was gay with au- tumn flowers, and as we strolled along, spying for new blooms, we were re-
 warded by sight of the blue gentian. When Sunday came the church bells
 called upon all good Methodists and Congregationalists and Episcopalians to
 come and listen to the gospel from eith- | CT point of view preferred, and though
 we could not respond to all invitations. we are willing to believe that the devo- | tion and earnestness which compressed
 us at the little Church of the Ephipha- ny was token of equal fervor in the other gatherings.
 Just opposite this edifice stands
 large white house, with many doors of l entrance and wings and piazzas, house whose exterior draws your atten- i tion, and if one is fortunate enough to be admitted, you will find one room
 alone most fascinating and delightful, because of the courteous artist who will show you his portfolio or tell you about
 the curios gathered in Europe or Asia,
 or South America.
 All of Maple le-Street-in-the-H Hills
 seems full of gentle spirit of hospital
 ity; towards strangers there is shown a
 courteous interest, towards each other a more familiar kindliness. The bell 1 tolled for the burial hour of bright
 young life, and the subdued sf1gure walked slowly to the house of mourn ! ing, carriages passed and a hush was in the street, for the sorrow of one house. l hold found an echo ilNhearts of kindly neighbors. A home wedding occurred,
 and f1utter of happiness fills the at mosphefe; from one house young girl comes with her apron full of white flow
 CTS, another from down the street with
 a handful of brilliant palms are care i fully borne along by sturdy boys, and vases carried from many directions
 proclaim the popularity of the bride, and the friendly wish to aid in the beau- 1 tifying of her home, for the, to her,
 most wonderful occasion. Although 8 stranger, one could not but be interest
 ed, and when at dusk the bridal coach, i all decked with white, whirled around the corner, our hands flung rice and we
 joined in the shout of farewell good
 wishes as heartily as if we had the right
 of friendship. It was all so natural, so 1 spontaneous, that we enjoyed the event. quite forgetting we had not gone 1 through the formality of an introduce 1 tion.
 There is but little business at Ma ple-Street- in the Hills" Three or four | stores, the post-office; in fact one at
 each end of the street; some manufac-
 turing, saw mill and farming: these
 avenues of income and interest seem 1 small, but all the elements of happiness are there and in such quietness, such | purity of air and freedom of space, one | must lose the cramped and repressed feeling of the city; life is simple, sheer
 ity is possible; gentleness and kindness
 seem natural: complex motives do not l underlie ones actions; social ambition
 does not drive a rushing pace. and yet i life is not sluggish. because there are ] the children: God bless them. They
 shout and play football and go to ! school and tear about at recess and fill | the street with robust sport and activi- | ty. While our recess did not impel us to run and shout and kiekra ball about
 we enjoyed our respite in 8 more sober | fashion, yet thoroughly appreciating r our opportunities.