THE ORPHANS’ FRIEND.
Wuliii^sd:ty, Jun«; 21, IST6.
OOING WEST.
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On tlie train is our estimable
friend Mrs Cobb of Elizabeth
City. She is on her way to
Asheville, to visit her sons, and
she eTijoys the trip.
About 'lalf way between Salis
bury and Statesville we saw an
old clay-colored horse plowing-
corn. Pie looked as if he had
been swindled out of his share of
the corn he made last year. Plow
unkind ! Give every horse his
due proportion of the corn he
helps to make. PPo not let Iiim
die for want of what his own
labor has produced. Noah’s
ship-wrights built him an ark, and
the's'- themselves were drowned.
PVe have often wondered if Ins
workmen ever asked permission
to enter the ark. l^erhaps he
paid them off and they went to
seek some other job. At Hick
ory we had an elegant dinner at
the Central Hotel, now conduct
ed by Messrs Smith & Neville.
Just think of a lump of pure
mountain snow floating in a gob
let of rich milk. At our table sat
Drs. Burkhead and Cuninggim.
'Phey were attending District
Conference. The expected Bishop
had not come ; but Dr. McP’errin
Dr. S. S. Bryant and other able
men were present, and the meet
ing was verv largely attended.
Capt. Avery is' on the train and
he informs us that Kutherford Col
lege has just closed a very pros-
])erous session, and that 921
beneficiaries have received free
tuition there. At Plenry, we
find a new driver, and a heavy
load. Mrs Cobb thinks of Pas
quotank and wishes for a couple
of nice herrings. Two gentlemen
on the opposite seat inform her
tliat they are herrings in name,
and so an acquaintance begins, and
tP.e journey is made more pleasant.
We all enjoy a hearty supper at
Mr Alexander’s, a good name for
good eating. On Sunday morn
ing at 2 o’clock we fall asleep in
the Orphan House, and know
nothing more till the organ pre
sented by kind citizens of Grees-
boro fills the house with sacred
inelody, and then the song of the
children reminds us of old brother
Hill, who rose at the close of our
entertainment in Shelby and said;
“Brethren, I have a great mind to
shout! P am so glad the I^ord is
carrying on the orphan work in
our state !”
Mr. Moore (the Steward) is
away giving entertainments, but
the work is going on, and is
managed well, though manned
by women. Wo attend the
Methodist Sunday school and try
to be quiet, but the Superintendent
Rev. L. M. Please, is too sharp for
us and so a “talk” is in order;
but as every road in England
leads to London, so any text car
ries us to the orphans. IPev. Mr.
PIoss, the pastor, then mistakes us
for a proaohor and invites us into
pulpit. But in this he was as
much mistaken as he was when
he B. H. S. Plev. Mr. l^rioe of
Tennessee preaches an excellent
Sermon. In the afternoon Rev.
John Mitchell preaches to the or
phans The sermon includes the
conversion of Ruth, her afflictions
and her devotion crowned with
prosperity and dignity. Every
seat is occupied and breathless
attention is given to the word.
AVe are glad to have the orphans
attend the ministry of such able,
faithful and affectionate preach
ers.
On Monday morning th(> first
work is to visit the ue.v Eojiu
Rooms. AVe are glad to compare
the work with tne written con
tract and to fiitd it better than we
had any right to require or ex
pect. Capt. M. E. Carter the
(contractor) made improvements
on the conti-act and then gave one
hundred dollars to help the or
phan work. A worthy son of his
noble father ! These Eorm Rooms
were not oonqtleted as soon as we
expected, because the rain and
snow made work impossible; but
they are now finished und paid
for and will be occupied in a few
days. Then the comfort of the
children will be greatly increased
and our accommodations will be
enlarged. But we still go AVest,
and are off for Mars Plill, with a
load of supplies. Old Kit (bought
of Mr. Stronach), the first mule
ever owned by the Orphan Asy
lum, seems to be made for the
mountains and she climbs them
faithfully. The peaks around us
are capped with clouds. We mean
that clouds cover the mountain
tops around us ; but “cap” is a
curious word. AVe “cap” guns
when we put on caps. We “cap”
strawberries when we take off caps.
But the clouds hang on the moun
tains and sometimes ride across
our road, and drop down water
enough to take the romance out
of our ride. But we ford the two
forks ot Ivy and follow the new
road down the river and up a
long ravine, over the side of a
mountain till Mars Hill stands
before us with “Old Bailey ’
looming up behind.
Here is our Orphan Infirmary.
The sickly children, in need of a
quiet and healthful retreat (who
seemed likely to die if they re
mained at Oxford oj- Asheville
where noise is inevitable) have
been sent here, and we are glad
to find them all improved, be
yond our most sanguine expecta
tions. Dr. Williams gives them
directions in regard to diet and
habits, and mountain water and
breezes take the place of medi
cine. There goes a rosy girl,
lively and happy, who got out of
bed and tottered to the door
when she started here. Now she
has just eaten a hearty supper
and is doing heavy housework.
AVhile we write on the 12th of
June we have the windows let
down, because the breeze is too
cool. A more healthful place
than Mars Hill we have never
seen. 0 that Mr. Shaw or Dr.
Cowell could come from Curri
tuck and see these magnificent
mountains. If Indian Ridge
could be put down here, people
would come from Tennessee to
gaze on land perfectly level. If
“ Old Bailey ” could be put down
on Indian Town, his head would
soon be crowned with a splendid
hotel, and all the East would
summer in sight of the loudl}--
roaring ocean. Here, then, is
our orj)han work ; twelve times
ten in school at Oxford, four times
ten in school at Asheville, and
not quite a dozen in the Infirmary
at Mars Hill. For the support of
this work, we rely upon the spon
taneous contributions of the peo
ple. So far they have carried it
on. AVill they ever let it lan
guish? Reader, will you? AVe
pause that you may answer.
Pigeon River, N. C.,
June 8th, 1876,
I had but one day after my trip
to ATancey and Mitchell, to make
preparation for the trip to Ha\'-
wood, arid consequently had no
time to write any account of the
former, while at home.
AVrith a singing band of eight I
started on the excursion above
nientionod on Alonday, May 29tlr.
AVe reached Big Ivev Church and
gave a concert at night. The at
tendance was good and people
attentive. A collection was taken
up at the close of the concert, not
large, but as good as could be ex
pected, considering the extreme
hardness of the times and unpre
cedented scarcity of money. AVo
lodged that night at the house of
Mr. Zimrl Carter ; had a pleasant
home and kind treatment.
From Big Ivey we wont to
Mars Hill, gave a concert at night,
but did not attempt to “ lift a col
lection,” believing that the good
people of that locality will do a
liberal part by the orphan work
in looking after the seven or eight
half invalids domiciled there.
AVe reached Burnsville on AVed-
nesday, June 1st, and gave a con
cert to a large ciowd in the Court
House. Capt. Carter, of Asheville,
Mr. J. S. Adams, of Bakersville,
and M-aj. Malone, of Marion, made
appeals in behalf of the orphans,
and a pretty good collection was
the result. The children found
good homes and received several
presents. Here we met Miss Sallie
Greene, formerly a teacher in the
Asylum at A tars Hill, and the joy
of meeting her exhibited by her
old pupils must have been highly
gratifying to her. They never
speak of her but in the most af
fectionate terms, and indeed, she
deserves this affectionate remem
brance on their part for the unre
mitting care and kindness she
showed them while under her
charge.
AA'e left Burnsville Thursday
morning and reached Bakersville
that night. AVo were comforta
bly quartered and the concert at
night was well attended. The
collection for the orphans was a
pretty fair one, but not quite so
good as we had expected in this
region of mica. But hard times !
hard times! is the cry ever)'-
where.
From Bakersville we turned the
horses’ heads homeward again, as
there was no where else to go to,
in that direction, unless we had
turned into McDowell, where we
had been a few weeks ago, or
crossed over into Tennessee, on
the people ot which we liad no
special claim. AVe got to Cane
River and gave a concert at night.
The attendance large for a coun
try neighborhood, and the collec
tion liberal for the times and cir
cumstances. AVe all stayed at
the house of Mr. Sams, brother of
the former Steward at Mars Flill,
whose house and heart were both
large enough to give us ample ac
commodation.
AA^e reached and staid at Alars
Hill Saturday night. On Sunday
we started with a view of reach
ing a church on the way and at
tending the Sabbath services, but
owing to a broken ivagon wheel,
failed, and slowly made our wav
homeward. AVe don’t like to
travel on Sunday, but in this in
stance we felt justified in doing
so.
The trip was jileasani. I have
no doubt that a favorable impres
sion for the orphan work was
made which will result in good to
the cause hereafter. The roads
were rough, but the scenery along
them, in many places, grand and
beautiful. The children ran up
the mountain slopes, gathered
wild flowers, and plashed their
hands in the spai’kling streamlets
that came leaping and laughing
down the rocky hillsides. The
boys killed eight snakes and one
ground hog ; a feat they ceased
not to brag on for several days,
and even yet they allude to inci
dents that occurred “ the day we
killed the ground hog.”
AA”e found all well at homo on
our return; provisions getting
scarce, but these the result of the
trip enabled us to supply for a
limited time. AVe took Monday
to wash up and to repair dama
ges, and, on Tuesday morning
started again; this time for a
somewhat extended tour through
Haywood county. AVe have given
two concerts and are now resting
between two appointments, they
being only five miles apart; but
we must reserve an account of
this trip to a future letter.
James H. AIooee,
Steward.
s.S
CEIVTEiVNtAl. EETTEK.
Philadelphia,
June 13th, 1876
Bear Children :
Our kind friend, Mr. Mills, ask
ed me to write you something
about the Centennial, and I am
glad to tell you something of this
great Exhibition, of which you
have heard so much.
These states were colonies, and
the people were subjects of the
King of Great Britian, but the
blue Atlantic rolled between the
government and the people gov
erned, and perhaps that loosened
the bond of affection—at any rate,
the government wished to oppress
us by heavy taxation and exorbi
tant duty upon the articles sent
over the water. V^ou ha\m read
of the Stamp Act, and the duty
upon tea, and other oppressive
acts of the government. AVe were
not a p.eople to submit tamely to
these measures, and on the 4th of
July, 1776, the celebrated Dec
laration of Independence was de
clared, and this great Exhibition
is in commenuuoration of that ;ict.
Tlio Declaration was written b}^
Thomas Jefferson, and I have
seen it, and you can see it too, if
you ever come to this city,in Inde
pendence Hall; and you can see,
too, the old bell that pealed forth
to the assembled people the joy
ful news, that henceforth they
were to be independent of an op
pressive government.
As the century drew to a close,
it was decided to celebrate the
Centennial Anniversary here, and
by an International Exhibition to
which all nations should be invi
ted ; aye, and the nations have
come, and I must toll you of their
productions and specimens of art,
as well of those of our own coun
try.
The Centennial grounds en
close seventy-five acres, and are
surrounded by a high wall. AVe
enter by gates thirteen in num
ber, stationed at intervals, and
only one person can enter at a
time. AVe pay to the men at the
right fifty cents, which admits us
to the entire grounds, ’riiere are
five principal buildings, and build
ings besides built by the princi
pal states, but I cannot tell yo i
of this wonderful city, sprung up
as if by magic during the last
year—but will take you within
the main building, and look with
you at some of the strange and
beautiful things within its walls
of glass and iron. AVe will stand
and look, before we enter, at this
the largest building in the world.
Its iron columns rise gracefully
to a great height, and its towers
with pointed spires give a fine ar-
chitectm-al effect. It stretches
out from east to west 1880 feet—
more than a third ot a mile, and
is 464 feet wide, and cost $1,600.-
OOO. AVo enter the west main
entrance, and to our right are two
light pavilions of sixteen arches,
devoted to the miner ds of Chili,
and on a mound of minei tls is
perched a huge stu ed C( ndor,
with white tipped wings contrast
ing with its jet black body. It
has a brown head and breast a
ruche of white feathers around its
neck, looking like a collar of
swans-down.
To the left is Italy'. AVe enter
this department by an arch of
light wood surmounted by flags
of the country'—green, white and
red. Almost immediately we
catch sight of a most beautiful in
laid table, representing the cath
edral of Milan—clouds are rolling
above, and the moon rises to the
right, and the reflection of her
silvery light on the graceful spires,
and massive front of the cathe
dral, is made by brilliant mother-
of-pearl. The border of the ta
ble is gold and pearl—but we
pass on to see exquisitely carved
cabinets, and jewelry of filigree
work in gold and silver. Our at
tention is particularly attracted to
a bird of paradise, intended as an
ornament for the hair. It is made
of filigree silver work, and stud
ded with diamonds, rubies and
emeralds. It is valued at $2000.
Farther on is a necklace of rubies
and diamonds, valued at $20,000.
Here is a mosaic picture and there
a mosaic table, and scattered ev
erywhere statues of marble and
terra cotta. Directly we are sur
prised by a small fountain—a
pile of rocks surmounted by two
figures in terra cotta, of a little
boy’, holding on tightly to a rais
ed umbrella, and a little girl
clinging to his arm. The water
jets from the top of the umbrella
and runs down the sides and falls
into tlie basin of the fountain.
Next conics Norway', which is
represented by' glass, silver jew-
and furs. There are several
i^roups of her natives done in
j.'lastcr, and these are dressed in
the costume of the country'. A
peasant bi-ide wears a red skiif,
white embroidered apron, black
sacque, and a kind of ornamental
rod collar around her neck.
Farther on is her sister Sweden,
which also has specimens of her
plaster work, which are very fine.
There is a group of Laplanders
which is particularly attractive.
A Laplander is in his sleigh,
drawn by a stuffed reindeer, and
is dressed in a full suit of fur,
gloves and all. The snow is rep
resented by' cotton wadding. AVe
turn to the right and view the
vases and china and wonderful
carving from China and Japan.
This carving is done with the
chisel, and you may see a real,
live Chinaman, with long black
cue, dangling behind nearly' to
his heels, using the chisel most
dexterously. Tlie Japanese wear
no cue, but have very black hair,
and their complexion is darker
than that of the Chinese.
To the left are the colonies of
Australia, and from Victoria alone
are ninety-seven, varieties of ap
ples, not to speak of stuffed birds
and fao-similes of enormous nug
gets of gold.
Just opposite Egypt catches
our eye, and we hurry to view
her silks, and gaze with delight
upon the door of the sanctuary of
a mosque in Cairo, carved in eb
ony and ivory, made in the 14th
century. AVe are pleased with
the entrance to this department,
for over its arched doorway is
engraved, “ The oldest people of
the world sends its morning greet
ing to the youngest nation.”
V. P.
The first newspaper printed in
North America was issued in Bos
ton, 1690. Only one copy of it
known to be in existence. It
was deposited in the State Paper
Office in London, and was about
f
the size of an ordinary sheet o
letter paper.