Year: 1869

IN THE COUNTRY By RAIL.


Now we are again laundering on between


dense lines of forest trees. Their oYerhaDg-


ing tops ladened with fieecy flakes of snow,


almost shut out the subdued light and heat


Of the setting sun. No sign of human


presence is seen, except the railroad and its


appointments, and but slight stretch Of the


imagination is needed for one to seem to be


borne on phantom wings through a fairy


land /; though the black smoke pouring from


the stack of our engine and the desfening
roar of the rushing train, cause one to think


himself rather in the gloomy domain Of


Pluto, than in the fiowery land of NAB.


The car-lamps are now lighted. and the yel-
low rays appear to gain intensity as the god
Of day pales ana at length disappears below
the western horizon. The outer world is
shut from view and to many, FROM thought
as we'll Some are beginning to improviss


more comfortable places for woOiDg the
soothing influences of sleep, though one
ought to be as free from bones and as full Of
supple joints, as an india-rubber gymnast,


in order TO accommodate his form to the
scant room, sharp angles and shapelsss at


tachments Of single car-seat, 'sNow and
then, however, person does snatch mo


ment or two of troubled rePose under even
so unfavorable circumstances. think such
would sleep despite the maddeniDg jolts of
corduroy wagon way. Happy the one


who can appropriate two seats all to his own


use And how any ladies are to be pitied


that trust to the Difference usually shown to
their sex, for the surrender of one Of those
seats Alas exactiDg drowsiness is utterly
oblivious of all rules Of ciyility and etiquette,


The writer is beginning to be infected
with the sOmnifc influence, when the start
ling alarm of the engine-whistle again breaks
upon the ear, not in short, sharp, piercing
notes, indicative of danger, but in one pro-
loDged peal, betOkeuing our apprOsch TO a
stoppiDg-plsce. Again we are deceived,
however, or at least those are, who don't
know what is the custom with lightning
trains. Scarcely reducing his speed, our
noble iron steed gallops on, and we have
only time to see by the scattered lights out
side, that we have passed some buildings,
before the place is already far in the distance.
Answering an inquiry of mine, some one
says it is Washington Station. Washington
what memories attach to that endeared
namel Washington, the truthful lad, the
unassuming youth, the unaskiug citizen,
the incorruptible public officer, the wise
ruler, the skillful warrior, the generous con-
queror, the just executive-in fine, the great
and good mani Though born in Americs,
every land claims him as a son, and no
American is thus rendered jealous. Seeing
in his glorious life, peaceful death and
honored memory, the reward of virtue, why
do not all our public men initiate his uuseH-
ish morality aud patriotism2 Who can
answer the question: Compare the faithful.
ness ard modesty of the Father Of his
Country with the treachery and usurpatioh
of the great political wealhercOck, who late
ly retired BY the voice of the people to
merited obscurity and oblivion. And yet
nought but joyous sunshine propitious
breezes surrounded the ife-bark of Andrew
johnson, compared with the black clouds
that overhung and the fierce storms that
howled around the frail craft of George
Washington. s... s-


l have had the curiosity to make an ex-
animation, and 1 find that bearing the
illustrious name of Washington, are two
parishes in England, one Of the United
States of North America, one island, one
one lake, three colleges, twenty
eight counties and one hundred and fifty
towns. Besides, who can enumerate the
men that have sought to honor themselves
by apprOpriating this renowned namsf
Some of them stand foremost among our
great and good men; and alas! the restrain
ing power of this name has not been suf-
fcient to prevent some who bear it from
leading lives of vice, crime and shame, and
ending their earthly career in the dungeon
Oh. on the gallows of felOn, What" after
al, dis in a name?" sr.7e


Again the whistle sounds our approach to
some station. This time the train is halted
At Fremont, the place of my destination,
After laying in fresh store of PrOvender
and allowing some passengers to get off and
others to get on the train, the powerful
is off with snort to finish his
Quincy, and slowly Eend my way to the
mousse of a friend. FoGY.