286 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



that I have seen would make a very poor 

 showing alongside that of Connecticut or 

 Massachusetts, but I cannot think that 

 that which I have seen can fairly repre 

 sent the region. Much of the corn crop 

 has been cut and stacked in shocks. That 

 which has not been cut has had the stalks 

 above the ears removed, and the ears hang 

 ing down, the fields have taken on a de 

 jected appearance. An occasional field of 

 ripening millet is perhaps the most unfa 

 miliar agricultural feature which has at 

 tracted my attention. 



Here, in a great railroad centre, there is 

 a sense of incongruity in the mixture of 

 northern and southern elements, the laissez 

 faire of the natives, and the &quot;get there&quot; 

 of the invading Yankees. I cannot say that 

 either of them in the present stage im 

 presses me very pleasantly ; but then I sup 

 pose that it is characteristic of the born 

 optimist that to him the things of the pres 

 ent are always pretty bad else how could 

 he be ever looking forward to the times 

 when things will be better? &quot;There s a 

 good time coming, boys ; wait a little 

 longer.&quot; 



SEPTEMBER 25, 181)4. 



