Evening star., 1933-06-04

trict of Columbia" published in Paris IN
1916, speaks at length of Sidney, the Harri-
son estate, and says
This is beautiful retreat. The surround-
ing little hills, covered with trees, are truly
romantic. The road thither from Washington,
leading through woods, is tortuous and
shaded, that person unacquainted with it may
readily go astray, which a lover of picturesque
scenery will not regret. There is direction
post, and it is rather bride than carriage
way.
This place containing about 160 acres, was
purchased about 10 years ago at $40 per acre.
The soil is generally sandy, though in the
little valleys the sand is mixed with clay and
vegetable mold, which the rain carries down
from the steep sides of the adjacent hills.
"On the 4th of June, 1811 We here wit
messed most tremendous storm Of rain and
hail, accompanied with lightning and awful
peals of thunder. Large chestnut and oak
trees near the house were broken, the fences
were leveed, and all around was scene OF
desoation. The weather had been for some
time uncommonly dry. On the day preceding
the storm strong wind prevailed, which car
ried the dust from the roads into the air in
the form of dark clouds. 1t is worthy of re-
mark, that at certain moments, the sound of
the Little Falls several miles distant, is dis
tinctly heard at this place. Near Mr.. Smiths
house there is dry channel of considerable
depth, which contains petrifed wood of differ
ent species, easily distinguished by the bark
and grain.
cat small distance, in an opposite direction,
there is mineral chalybeate spring, of which
the temperature N July was 81 degrees of
Fahrenheit. Near it there is miserable hut,
formed of rude boards, and just large enough
to contain a bed and two old chairs. The
poor woman who inhabits it supports herself
by spinning cotton and WOOL and dyeing those
substances with the root and bark of trees.
Mrs. Smith proposed to place her in family.
where her useful experience in this art would
have procured her a comfortable existence.
She refused the offer, observing that inde-
pendence however humble was far preferable.
This Is the proud sentiment which animates
the poorest class of American citizens. Tho
cabins Of this district are far from being COM
Portable. They are rented from year to year
with spot of land, and consequently the ten
ant has no encouragement to make improve
ments
"The persimmon tree abounds here. The
juice Of its ripe fruit is employed to make q
species of beer. Sugar is extracted from It,
and also fine liquor which improves by age.
The fruit contains a sufficient quantity Of
saccharine matter for its preservation in the
form of sweetmeats. In this district the bark
of the crab tree is employed to dye wool of q
black color; a mixture of the bark of maple
and chestnut, for purple; that Of dogwood,
for a pink color, and that of the root of the
sassafras gives fine yellow The flowers of
this last tree serve to make species Of beer,
and decoction of the bark of its root Is often
administered as cure for ague and also for
purifying and thinning the blood The fruit
of the chincapin is agreeable to the taste.
1.-TWO insects abound in this place, and tor
ment the lovers of nature-the wood-louse and
the mosquito. The former, nearly the size of
a common louise, conceals itself under the skin,
and clings closely to the flesh, from which it Is
not easily extricated. Its color Is reddish.
which becomes paler when the insect is satiated
with blood. The bite excites considerable in
fammation, and, in the eye or ear, might be
attended with dangerous consequences. The
bite of the mosquito also creates inflammation
and it annoys the ear of the pensive or studious
by its unpleasant buzz"
Things have changed greatly since Mr..
Warden wrote this description of Sidney.
However, it is quite probable there are stiH to
be found in this neighborhocd at least q few
wood ticks, we call them. and undoubtedly,
in short while, the pesky MOSQUITO win De
calling us by the endearing term cousin" and
inserting his bill in our skin, just as he did
when the Smith family occupied the site where
is now the Catholic University of America.