Sunbury American

Our Trip.—Having embarked on the train en route
for the coal regions, on Monday last, we were comfortably
seated by that polite and good looking conductor,
well known to the traveling public for his many courtesies
to passengers on his train, Capt. Shuster, we could not
help but enjoy the fine scenery along the route. Everywhere
we observed the noble farmers in their fields laboring
hard to secure their crops of grain—"earning
their bread by the sweat of their brow." In a short
time we reached Snydertown, which place has greatly
improved within a few years. A number of comfortable
dwellings have been erected, and old ones neatly repaired.
The farmers along Shamokin creek evidently
understand how to keep a farm in good condition to
produce good crops. Their summer crops never looked
better, and a large yield may be expected. At Paxinos
the spirit of improvement is visible. A fine brick hotel
is being erected in modern style, and other improvements
are being made. Our friend Bobb, the efficient
postmaster looked happy in his little building. We
hope the railroad company will soon become generous
enough to build him a larger house for a depot and
office, so he will not be compelled to turn passengers
out in the cold, to find room to sell them a ticket to ride
over the road.

Passing on through Shamokin to Mt. Carmel, we
found a change. Everywhere could be seen steam escaping
through pipes at collieries, and the dumping of
coal in breakers. The route to Mt. Carmel is one of the
most interesting. Passing through woods up the
mountains a grand picture present itself. A mountain
scene with humming machinery every few hundred
yards, dotted with small villages built up by miners, who
love to labor

"Down in the coal mines
Underneath the ground."

At Locust Gap Junction we took a look at that noted
spot known as Pat Hester's residence. Noticing a large
number of carts and wagons, we inquired whether Pat
had at last reformed, and gone to contracting to make
an honest living. We were answered in the negative.
but that he performed the duties of road supervisor, of
that township, for a brother who had been elected to
the office. Mt. Carmel township has had a great deal
of trouble in the past with their road supervisors, and
the tax payers have suffered considerably in a pecuniary
way. But as Pat has been an active member of the Democratic
Court House Ring in this county in the past, he
has no doubt been taught to be honest, for the Ring
have always persistently denied stealing anything.

At Mt. Carmel we met a number of old familiar faces.
The Hon. Samuel Bergstresser engaged in the mercantile
and insurance business, continues to wear that
friendly smile, and is always ready to entertain his
friends in a most hospitable manner. He continues to
be as active in business as he was fifteen years ago. H.
D. Rothermel, Cashier of the Mt. Carmel Bank was "on
his busy day," but found time to show us through that
institution. This bank is one of the firmest of the
State banks, and will, before long, become a National
Bank. Mr. Rothermel is one of the most correct business
men in that section, and is giving general satisfaction
as an efficient banking officer. Father Ayres,
postmaster of Mt. Carmel, was as usual at his post.
There are but few postmasters in the county who apply
themselves closer to the duties of the office than Father
Ayres, and who give better satisfaction to the community.
We found but few who were idle in this place. As
work has generally resumed at the collieries, all find
employment. On Monday a miniature strike occurred.
The slate pickers, boys, turned out at a colliery about a
half mile from town, for higher wages. They received
from $3 to $6 per week.

D. D. Bolick, has lately increased his stock of boots
and shoes, and is kept busy waiting on his customers.
Mt. Carmel is one of the most healthy places in this
part of the country. Everybody looks robust, and we
seldom hear of a death occurring in that borough. The
town is neatly built up. The streets are kept in the best
condition. The atmosphere is cool, and the fragrance
of the foliage and flowers from the surrounding mountains
makes it a most delightful place to visit.

On proceeding to the Reading depot, on our departure,
we were gratified to notice the improvement made lately.
The old log house has been white-washed inside
and outside—the floor omitted, perhaps to give it a contrast.
Returning to Shamokin we were placed under
obligation to U. F. John, Esq., for a ride behind his
magnificent family horse, lately purchased at a high
figure. Animals like his are not easily found, and command
a high price. Our ride extended over the entire
town. About half of the town is never seen, unless traveling
over the ground. Shamokin is increasing more
rapidly in population than any town in the county. On
every street houses are going up, and old ones converted
into business places, and repaired to correspond with the
modern styles. The business places are not confined
to the centre of the town, nor to a few streets. Every
street has its stores, groceries, millinery establishments,
hotels and manufacturing places, &c. On many of the
streets away from the centre of the town, magnificent
residences have been erected, and beautiful lawns laid
out. The late panic has not affected the place materially,
as most of the coal collieries continued to operate,
but not on as extensive a scale as during the last
month. On Saturday last, about $130,000 were paid out to
employees, about $67,000 of which was paid by the Miners
Railroad and Mining Company alone.

We returned home much improved in physical
strength, but our purse is still in a condition that needs
replenishing to meet our liabilities. All who promised
to pay next week, and those who we did not get to see
will confer a favor to remit to us by mail.