Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-12-01
B5JGBI1AN SUUJo
KATE BEVERLY.
A STORY OF WYOMING VALLEY
BY PERCY II. sELTON.

"Do you see that landscape :" said the
old man 10 me, as we passed on the Ell ge
of the mountain road, and looked down
into Tue valley Of Wyoming beneath us.
well, that SPOT, Calm and beautiful as ii
now is, was once TIE scene of massacre
God help me The agonies Of that day al
most wiring my heart to think of them,
even after the lapse Of fifty years"
Il have heard it was fearful time,
and you have often promised to tell me
the tale Of your own connection with It,
Yet if the subject be so painful TO you, |
dare scarce Y make the request"
"No, bow" said the old man sadly, 81
will tell it,tor the promise is of long stand
ing, aud feel TO-DAY as if | could relate
that tragedy with less emotion than uSu-
al. Sit down on this rock and give me a
moment TO rest, | will then commence my
Story.
While the old man wiped the perspirs-
iOn from his brow, aud sat tanning him
self with his broaJ-rimmed hat, took the
place pointed ont hv nlm ne1c his side.
and spent the moments that elapsed be-
fore he began his na,raijot in gazing al
the landscape before me.
Siuing on huge bouller, at the edge
Of the mountain, just where the hill be-
gan 10 slope down in the valley, we com
manded view of one cf the most unrl-
vailed landscapes in the world. To our
left rose up the mountain, both rugged and
barren, like the back jOf some monster
reared against the sky' but on the rgh,
nothing interposed to destroy the view;
whose Ioveliness so far exceeded even nv
expectations that for some minutes gazed
on the scene in mute admiration. Be-
meath me stretched the valley, diversified
with gentle elevations, and sprinkIed with
fields of waving golden grain; While here
and there patch of woodland, with lis
dark green hue, lay slumbering on the
landscape, The surface OF jhe forest ever
and anon VARYING to lighter tint as the
wind swept over the tree1toPs. Right
1brouph the centre OF the valley meander-
cd The river, now rolling belwXt bluff
hanks. and now stealing gently among the
rich meadow lands in The distance, until
At length it turned to the left, sGd skiriing
the foot of the far of hills, was lost be-
hind the profile of the mountain before US.
In the centre of the vale was the village,
with lis white houses and airy church
steeple smiling over the scene. Far away
on The horizon stretched a line of hills,
tIe;r dark blue SUBMITS half hid by the
clouds, which wrapped them in veil of
oanze. No sound came up from the val
lev occasionally the twlIIer lot bird
would be heard from the surrounl Ding hllls'
while the low linkie OF iIny wf'eria'l on
our left KEEP, monotonousIy soGndins IN
our ears. The morning rays q a sum
mer's sun poured down upon 'ne 'aha-
scape, and everything around waE Ur'gn''
and cay and beautiful. was sg"l '1ss III
admiraIjor at the scene, when i'ye o'u 'ian
signlied his readiness to eomine'''e MS
tale.
I'll is now fifty years ago sinfe came
to t1;s valley young ffonier man. VIII"
= h.rJy constitution, love of adventure
aud The reputation of being the oeS' sno'
on Tie border; Ihe place at lha' i ,lne' se.-
tied principally by families IRONY oonneo, ,
iicut, even sben bore traces Oi i'f P'esen'
H., ,,'.,,,;v.,ion. MANY of khe iami.