The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-08-21

ner, and bearing Of the man, forbade the
literal Interpretation Of his welcome, and we
concluded that it was the unstuded out.
gushing Of pure mountain wit, which al.
always makes one "fell at home" though
under strangers swine and fig tree" This
proved to be true, at least in this instance.
The sprightly turn of his conv ersation, and
"the right good cheer" of his board, forced
self graduation upon the fortunate choice
OF our host After hearty repast, our
hero kindly prohered to pilot US through
the crooked paths and over the rugged
Businesses which must bo encountered in
reaching the summit of CLASSY Rock But,
by dint of climbing, crawling, and slipping
we gained the point. Here the plain view
is splendid-the hills below dwindle into
nothing, and one vast UNMARRIED plain is
spread out, map like, so nigh boundless,
that the eye grows weary in search Of its
horizon. Whilst we were admiring this
scene, we beheld in the distance a great
black monster floating in the heavens, like
an engine of terror and destruction fresh.
forged and hot from Pluto's horrid foundry
moving slowly towards us, venting its
wrath in livid lightning and terrific thun-
der When it had drawn near and girdled
the mountain tho scene beggars description.
In attempting to portray its awful grandeur
and terrible sublimity thought bushes at
its own unworihiness, and imagination
folds its wings in WEAKNESS. Those who
have witnessed such sight alone can ap.
preciate it. But soon the dark storm cloud,
as though moved by some giant impulse Of
compassion, wept itself away, and left on
the spot of its raging rainbow Of beauty
and brightness.
What glorious lesson is thus suggest
ed' Though the wickednoss and perverse.
ness Of men may cloud the brow of Jeho.
vah with dark, Lorrd frown Of wrath,
and the loud thunderings OF his outraged
law menace eternal damnation, yet single
'',ear Of the peniten-" opens the gates Of
Heaven, dissipatcs the clouded wrath Of
y God, and, radiant from his reconciled
countenancc, comes beamiug a heavenly
ray cf mercy, which lights up brilliant
! rainbow Of hope in the hearts of redeemed
mankind.
When the cloud had disappeared the
sun was sinking TO rest in bis ocean couch;
and rs his last bright ray seemed 10 linger
on its shadowy kiss Of the distant. noun.
taintop-as though reluctant to leave it
we thought OF two lovers parting. But
soon he was gone, and nothing remained
TO tell when he had been save halo Of
rcdolcnt light, giiling the western sky.
We now had to wcnd our way downward
by twilight. We would attempt 4 descrip-
lion of the Rock, which forms the capstone
to the mountain, but we will not do it the
injustice. As you approach its base, you
feel gradually dwindIing down into insig.
nifcance, until you completely lose sight
of self in the awe inspired by the huge
monster which hangs above you. You
look upward, and involun:ariy shudder as
the ponderous mass throws its head towards
Heaven and props up the skies. We could
but excaim: How wonderful are thy works,
oh! mighty God But we hasteued to the
valley below ere might threw her dusky
mantle round the earth, and found pleas.
ant lodging with friend Of our guide.
Next morning we arose refreshed, and
ready 10 follow the propitious flight of the
faiS wauderer which had entced us thus
far and were early on our way to CrSar's
Head. This road winds round The foot Of
the Blue Ridge over The hils-which
look like the undeveIoped offspring Of the
parent mountains above them, whose bases
are frnged with silvery streams that seem
to sing merry song the while 10 cheer
the passing traveller. The distance being
only fifteen miles, we were soon ut the foot
OF ills towering monument Of the mighty
dead, erected by natures plastic hand. The
way OF ascent lies along the banks of the
beautiful Saluda, almost to It's very source
This is undoubtedly the most picturesque
stream we have ever seen-a fit retreat for
fairies and mountain nymphs. We could
but think-as we beheId thousands of
flowers bending over to pay homage to the
genius of the waters, as they dashed Wild
ly, proudly along, nowmingling their mu.
sic with the song of birds, and now burst.
ing out in passionate tones as though hid
ding the very rocks that lay in their course
to hide their misshapen heads-that could
fair Proserpine catch glimpse Of the en-
chanting place, she would desert the flow.
er'clad plains Of Ennl and make her home
bv the stream OF the mountaips AMI we