Evening star., 1932-04-14
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Thousands of persons who live in the
National Capital are thinking at times
OF their old homes in the States and
recalling the beauty spots Of their
younger days.
1t is interesting to hear how former
resident of nearby Maryland, now in the
South, looks back in the same way upon
the District of Columbia, remembering
with affection some of the sights so
commonplace to us all.
From Orangeburg, S. c., comes the
following letter:
Dear Sir: When we moved from
Maryland, just outside of Washington,
to South Carolina last September The
Star followed us down South. Since
that time we have really appreciated it
a great deal more than in the days at
home, when, after a superficial glance
at the headlines, it was tossed aside.
Now it is our old home news. Wash
ington City has become dearer to us
the doings Of the people, the descrip-
tions of her landscapes; for We can no
longer take bus and ride the eight
miles or so from Maryland to the heart
of the city.
Il often see in memory Pennsylvania
avenue, or F street, or perhaps the Cap
itol Building lighted at night. Perhaps
see the lights of Potomac Park and
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
with its eerie reflection in the Basin.
Il always did enjoy reading your COL
umn. This and That Now l enjoy 1t
even r,ore. fer l give more time to its
perusal Somehow, the little daily hap
peningS bring more Joy to us than the
big events that cone only occasionally.
L enioyed especially your article on
the daily Journey downtown and how
you look for familiar landmarks each
morning. How often l have done the
same thing
South Carolina surprises the new
conner. MY first glimpse OF this State
was very disappointing 1t seemed to
me that there was nothing but un-
painted shacks and uncultivated acres
along the highways-such marked
contrast to the fine painted houses and
carefully tended lawns of Maryland and
the District.
Dut' dItllOusH grass OOtS IlOI SION
abundantly down here and many houses
are rude and unp6inted. yet Carolina
has its beauty spots that far surpass
anything have ever seen in Maryland.
For instance. suddenly one will con e
upon a swampy section where the trees
will be Tricky draped with Spanish
moss, making a picture almost like the
ones We read of in childhood fairy
lands
I'm nearly every trea-that Is. the
trees that shed their leaves in winter
thick clusters of mistlotOe cling, and
holly trees thick with red berries are
very common. The pines, too, are the
most gorgeous l have ever seen any
where. Their needles are often a foot
long and the cones are enormous. The
needles are the longest on the small
shoots growing on the ground some
times looking like narrow clumps of
grass.
In the Spring azaleas and wistaria
transform the lawns into riots of color.
and right now the dogwood is coming
into bloom everywhere. AS one goes
along the road, jasmine with numerous
yellow bell-Shaped flowers viii be found
alongside Of wild plum bushes and deep
crimson honeysuckle cor 1 imagine that
is what it is)
IF you ever visit South Carolina, try
to see EutaW Springs, If you have never
been there before. 1t is beautiful Sit
uated in a private estate, one drives
through gateway and in mediatelv sees
gray monument telling Of the battle
Of Eutaw Springs during the Revolu-
ton.
Trees everywhere are so thickly
draped with moss that they look like
gray hangings and ghostly fingers in
stead Of tree branches. There are
many cedars here. and dogwood. too.
After short walk through these trees
we find ourselves standing not on fiat
ground. as We supposed, but on a hill
overlooking a beautiful lake.
This lake is formed b. many springs
bubbling up from the bottom. and is SO
long that We cannot see the end But.
unlike ordinary lakes which are smooth
surfaces Of ripping water, Eutaw
Springs Lake has thick groves of cypress
trees growing right out Of the water.
Boats wind in and out among the trees.
The water is so crystal clear that one