Year: 1878

Leaving Albany, N. Y, my course
led down the Hudson to New York city,
thence to Philadelphia. where l halted
for another visit and rest. | was dis
appointed in my trip down the Hudson,
for it proved rainy day-one of those
tantalizing days which isn't at all to be
relied upon. The sun would occasion
ally show his face and light up all the
surrounding land and water scape into
beauty wonderful to see. Every leaf
and flower was dripping with rain, and
when the sunlight fell upon them the
drops would shine like precious stones.
l could only think of the face of little
child, wet with the tears of childish
grief suddenly changed to joy, when
the smile scatters all the shadows and
the tears in the eyes gleam and glisten,
as did those raindrops in the sunlight.


do not wonder poets rave about the
beauties of the Hudson; they have rea-
son to do so. Broad as lake, smooth
and clear and lovely as sheet of water
can be. with high bluffs walling it in
many places Everywhere these bluffs
are crowned with elegant residences. 1t
takes fabulous sum to buy a residence
on the Hudson, and | do not wonder.


In one of the beautiful villas which
we pass, there lives with her parents,
lady, who was quite surprised to find
herself the owner of so much property.
She was engaged to son of the late
Commodore Vanderbilt, but the young
man died before they were united in
marriage. Soon after his death the old
Commodore sent for Miss H. On visit
ing him the old man said, rather rough
ly: "Well, l suppose you expect me to
take care of you now." ''No," replied
Miss H., 81 have no claims upon you,
none whatever" He showed little



surprise at her reply, but said no more
about it, and she soon bade him good
morning. A few days after she received
from him deed of the Hudson villa,
which she found handsomely furnished
and supplied with horses and carriages.
Every few months check for liberal
amount found its way to her pocket book
and so she lived on, with her parents.
Whether the Commodore provided for
her in his will or not, | have never
heard, but as l received the story have
told you from a near relative of the
young lady, L am sure of this truth.
Apropos of the old saw there's many
a slip 'twixt cup and LIP" is this: the
father of this young lady was twice sent
for by A. t. Stewart to draw up his
will for him. Each time a pressing
business engagement kept him from at
tending to it, and finally Judge Hilton
did the work and received therefor a
million of dollars. Had the gentleman
first sent for gone, it is safe to conclude
he would now be enjoying the million
Hilton bagged, while his daughter would
be happy with her thin slice from the
Commodore.





My walk in Philadelphia was a de-
lightful one, but it convinced me thor.
oughly, that l had rather see the perma-
nent exhibition than to have suffered the
fatigue of trying to do the Centennial,
for little as there is left, comparatively
speaking, there was sufficient to tire
brain and body in the seeing There is
enough that is grand, and enough that
is interesting to occupy days of ones
time. Nearly every day fine music is
discoursed, either by an excellent band
or by individuals interested in the Ex.
position. The grand organ remains and
its tones are enough to inspire one.


Of course writing about the exposition
now is like publishing marriage notice
two years after everybody has found il
out, yet, l fancy careful description Of
what l saw there, would make many ar
one who was there in the rush, exclaim


"Why, that wasn't there, was it?
didn't see it.


| like Philadelphia because it is ;
clean city, with broad streets and an ali
, of solidity about it as if the business
men had come to stay. The publ,
. buildings are some of them very speci
mems of substantial elegance, and new
ones in process of erection, will be al
fine as any city in the union can boast.


My weeks visit was all too short t,
permit me to see many of the places o
!, interest-even Art Galleries had to b.
left over until next time.
The suburban towns about Philadel
phia are indeed lovely, and all alon,
, the road from that city to Baltimore ar
E indications of the wealth resulting fron
agricultural and manufacturing interests
: l have been over the road great man,
!, times, yet it is always pleasant and l fin,
r advancement has been made each time
e The first trip l made over the road wa
o in 1867 then the cars crossed the rive
;. at Havre de Grace on ferry boat, an
were hauled through Baltimore by horses
e now fine iron bridge spans the Sus
, quehanna river and tunnel lets us ou
: of Baltimore without the tedious della
4 of transfer.