A Maryland Trip
OUR party of four was on the way to the eastern shore of Maryland in pursuit of geese and ducks. Reaching Georgetown at 7 P. M., we were surprised to find the depot and open grounds adjoining densely filled with humanity of all colors and conditions. We were driven to the Brick Hotel, R. A. Rosenbaum, proprietor; a decided sportsman, by the way, who strongly urged us to tarry some days with him, as the season for quail would open in a day or two. We sought an explanation of the unusual crowd we met at the depot. Having been introduced to Governor Stockley, who was stopping at the hotel, and with whom we spent a very pleasant evening; he informed us that it was the continuance of an old-time custom, still prevailing in that county and probably in no other state in the Union. The occasion is known as "Return Day." It always occurs on Thursday after the election of Tuesday. Before the days of telegraphs and railroads, it must have been a wise and convenient method of learning the results of the canvas; and so in love are the country people with the custom that they still flock to the county seat in multitudes -- men, women, children and babies, black, white and all the intervening shades -- and according to Mother Goose, "some in rags, some in tags and some in velvet gowns;" in carriages, cars, carts, horseback, muleback, "on foot and across lots," as the girl went to get married. Quite like an old-time Fourth of July, or "general training day" at the North, with the accompanying cake and bar stands "so dear to the days of our childhood." But from the noise, shouting and crowing, which lasted till late in the night and was resumed by one old cock in the morning, it was evident that something stronger than "Adam's ale" had been imbibed by a portion of the crowd.
In our sleeping room we found two beds. The frame of one was of immense size (6ft. wide and 7 1/2ft. long) and of ancient manufacture. It was a dark mahogany color and estimated to weight about a ton. A search in the morning resulted in finding the doctor and his companion scattered in various places among the bedding, but sound in body and in good condition for breakfast.
As we must wait till after noon before we could proceed further south, we decided to explore the quaint old town, and one of the results was that the doctor was tied to the "whipping post," and afterward put in the "stocks." But fortunately the Governor was at the court-house, and on hearing the facts pardoned the doctor and set him at liberty. Afterward we were paid no little attention by the county officials, who took us through their offices and permitted us to examine some of the records of Colonial times, which were written in a remarkably beautiful clear hand, and well preserved.
The cars in due time brought us to Berlin, where we found our old friend and former host, J. Z. Powell, waiting for us. He soon had us, with our impedimenta snugly stowed in his two covered carriages and on the way to his hospitable home at South Point, ten miles distant, where a cordial greeting and a warm supper made us forget the tedium of our long journey, and longer waiting. How we fared on the yacht, with Charlie for captain and cook, where we sailed, what game we got, what live decoys we lost, the stories told, and I leave for the doctor to relate, for "the half has never been told."
J. H. D.
POUGHKEEPSIE, March 28, 1887.