The southern press., 1851-08-29
For the Southern Pres.
Summer SketcheS.--NO. I2.
BY MARY ]. WINDLE.


SHAKNoNDALE SPRINGS, Va, August 27,
1t was cool, delicious day yesterday day
of all others for country ride, and, in less than
an hour, group of girls had donned strong
dresses, and were ready to embark on their novel
adventure.
A great wagon, drawn by country horse
was the vehicle for the occasion, and into this
our merry party were slowed away Oh, such
roads! Our ample wagon was like a miniature
ark of particularly clumsy make, now rising
| on the tiptop of billow, aud suddenly sinking
almost out of sight but the patient animal
drew us up and down through hills, on whose
| impractcable roughness no city hack could be
! trusted. Then we had an oyerturn, and that was
the climax of the days enjoyment; for nobody
was hurt, and evey body laughed, and perpe-
trated stale witicisms and laughed Mt them again.
| till the birds were no doubt convinced that mp.
setting wagon is one of the ra-ests sports we
humans engage in. Next the horse, painting as if
worn out, set his forward feet stubbornly down,
refusing TO part company vitb the turf even for
an instant; the gentlemen coaxed the ANIMAL
and laughed with us, who, with comical glances
half of mirth, half of anxiety, nibbed the tips of
our gloves, and wondered what we should do.
Then, all at once, one prying fellow of our party
announced that spring was broken, or some
lllng OF tnat sort naQ occurred. ..
Poor Mr.. s. Sad is the reputation he bears
at Shannondale; nobody will believe he is in
earnest when he speaks the truth, he is such an
arrant piece of mischief, saying all sorts of
strange things and yet looking as innocent all
the time as though conducting himself with the
utmost propriety; but he was now really in
earnest And so, as in duty bound, we all
laughed again. The gentlemen looked per-
picked; consultation was then held rather
short to be sure, as consultations are apt to be
when there remains but one path to choose and
then each gentleman tucked his lady under his
arm, and on we logged merrily as before
Mr. - leading the way, lowering the fences
when they could be lowered, and when they
could not, shouting gaily TO see us spring over
them, scarcely touching their extending hands
We seemed TO have taken a new lease of our
runaway years, and TO feast upon the beauties
of field and woodland Miss - was con.
stantly startling us with joyous cry at every
gust Of melody from a choir Of wood vocalists
that fitted by, and then she would dance of af.
ter bee or butterfly, till we were inclined to
turn from all wild and gladstone things to her
as the widest and glsdsomest Of the whole.
AS pilgrims to natures shrine, we went up 20
" Lovers Rock" lofty summit overhanging the
Shenandoah. This is charmed name on Open
Sesame" to the Imagination, so that whenever
il is spoken, the place and its accomplishments
rise 70 the minds eye. II seems the very Eden
for Cupid's votarits, the silence, the solitude,
the very sanctum for loves impassioned confes-
sions.
Beneath, around, above,
Earth, water, air, seemed full Of love.
II Is long and rather difficult accent, and
none but valiant pedestrians should attempt IT,
But once there, the soul partakes the enlarge
meut Of the vision" and WEAKNESS is forgotten
The view is unsurpassed by any that we have
ever seen. sea Of woodland is before YOU,
Gods garners awaiting bis childrens dilipent
hands, and bountiful water courses and open
valleys set with happy homes and, in the dis
tance, the Blue Ridge" with its changing and
various hues. Strange as il may seem, these
mountains have at times an omethyst hue, and
again, a vesture Of as soft and melting blue as
| Loractes in its magic atmosphere. There is
nothing more beautiful Than the quick succes
sion of brilliant, clear lights, and deep shadows
that play over the Blue Ridge !" and when the
leaden clouds gather in heavy masses over
I them and wrap them in a mantle Of dark blue
shadow, they have a stern aspect Of wild beauty,
rarely seen. -..
On our way home, we met patty Of young
/ men with span Of tired horses, which, although
they bad probably tired The patience and wearied
The whips of their strong riders, were now racing
along, amid shouts and laughter. ss though they
were engaged in steeple chase. earrisQs, too,
came creeping along--a light gittering, beaud
/ ful thing with glittering curtains fringed with
scarlet, and on the back seat, reclining against
/ the cushions, we distinguished a lady, whose
dark eyes were seen fashinR ont beneath her
veil, and whose small, fair, and goVeless hand,
drow--as we aPproached-yet closer together
its thick folds
This days ftolia wps not without its perils, of
bruised nose or thumpea shoulder; but, il
viii, am sure be Tong remembered by all oou.
cernhd, though, perhaps, for yarious reasons.
The mere summer yisiters 10 Shannondale,
know little Of the various beauties Of the place.
To them IL ia mere chance acquaintance, saen.
perhaps admired, and forgotten but those whe
live In its companionship must feel that
LovsIisst theme, the sprng days come,
With blossoms, and birds, and wild bees hum,