John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 31

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 31. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

[continued] [to] make rails, or rot in the filth of a hog pen.

As I passed on my way, I think of Mary, conceive myself on my way to the west with her by my side, sharing in the speculations of the hour.  Expectation shall dance before her, and hope shall blossom on her cheek and beam from her upturned eye as she leans on my shoulder as we sit, for she is now fatigued with the travel all night from Washington.

The country grows finer, day plunges with all the energy of a reformer over down the hill and over the fence at the train, dashing headlong down an inclosed plane like the augurs of the faith in mad frantic vehemence seeking to arrest the irresistible procession of science and demonstration in this stream energised age, or undertaking even to overtake its swift and sweeping train (There! I have reminded myself of the pun of John Alden about Bob Page, where who was notorious for multiplying engagements beyond his power of fulfillment. John said, when Bob advertised as an undertaker, "If Bob Page is only an undertaker, I'd like to know who the d[evi]l is an overtaker."[)]  

[to be continued.]  

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mary = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel (1838-1930).]