The twenty-five years which have told with such effect on New York, have
also produced great changes and great improvements in Burnsville. It was
a thriving village when we last knew it. Now it is a large town. The
higher portion is covered with fine buildings. Churches, hotels,
academies, and various institutions for which New England is remarkable,
seem specially to flourish here.
There are some old landmarks which I am sure we shall recognize--Joel
Burns's house, for example, and the little brick 'office' from which
Hiram sallied one morning before daylight to take the stage for New
York, to attack Joslin the paper dealer.
The improvements have been astonishing. Beautiful trees skirt the
principal streets, and form an arch above. Everywhere you behold
displayed signs of admirable taste.
Below, in the valley, is the railroad; and opposite the 'paper mill' has
been erected one of the finest 'stations' in the State. Here has sprung
up a large manufacturing place, rivalling in size and business
importance the 'ridge,' as we used to call it, but leaving the latter
free from the noise and bustle of the mills and factories and machinery
of our now famous 'Slab City.'
* * * * *
Dr. Egerton married Sarah Burns, as you have long since guessed. He is
one of the few men of talent who has no ambition to quit his happy home
to adventure in a large city.
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