Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-02-11
For tile Spectator.
Adventures in the Snow.
lCONCLuDED.

coHcluueu my narrative last Weeh Win tiio
arrival at Gordonsyille, on Wednesday, the 2lst
of January. Here we found excellent quarters
and most obliging landlord-Mr. Omollundro.
Our arrival created quite sensation III the VII
lage. There had then been no train there from
Richmond or Alexandria since the previous Sun
day and the people were furnishing for news
We brought none from greater distance than
Louisa @. H., u miles off. Not knowing when we
would be able to get away we went into regular
winter quarters. Most of US had put on our last
clean shirt in Richmond An obvious necessity
for change of linen existed. 1t was too cold
and wood and water were too scarce to think OF
having any washing done. An exploration OF
the stores and Jews shops of the place was
made. Gordonsville being place OF but sec
ondary Importance in commercial point OF
view, the assortment of shirts was rather limit
ed Two of the party-small inen-got each
shirt at one dollar and another whose necessities
in that respect had become alarming procured
striped calico article, with high standing collar,
at 81 1-2 cents. These three gentlemen at once
became the dandies OF the party ana strutted a.
| bout with an air of self Importance that would
have done credit to Turkey COOLER OF Pea
cock. The rest of US dived into our carpet-bags
and hauled out articles that had only been worn
two days in Richmond and donned them.
Day after day and night after night came and
went, and yet no intelligence reached us from
any quarter. Several gentlemenot the neigh
borhood called in, and gave US invitations to
their houses To Col. Newman, of Orange, who
had been with us from Richmond, and to WIN.
+. Gordon, Jr., especially, were many OF lis I'M
der obligations for the cordial and pressing Of
fers of their hospitality, which we feared TO ac-
cept, lest in our absence from the village train
might pass. The whole party had by this time
become amazingly sociable. We were soon on
terms of fraternal good will with Christy's Min
strels. With the manager MIR. Raynor, and his
lively, pretty little wife, we talked seriously a.
bout business, and the heavy loss of time and
money they were subjected to. We laughed
with Joe Brown, the dancer cracked jokes with
.Bones," and drank punch with and split our
sides over the wit of Burton, the tenor. Bur-
ton, by the way,s character under an assum-
ed name. He is native OF London. Five years
ago his father, who is very wealthy, gave nm
money to travel in the United States. He came
to N, York-lived fast-spent his money and
was ashamed or too proud to apply to his faith
err for more--Changed his name-joined the
Minstres- and, to use his own words, has seen
as much of life in the United States as any other
Englishman." 1n.the Spring he is going back
pared to give the sold folks at home" wonder
full account of his travels lie is an educated
man, and gentleman in his manners and APP
Ipearance.
The four ladies who left Richmond with us
were still along, and by their presence and in
Ifnence kept us from degenerating into actual
barbarism Their fortitlde and patience under
. all our trials shamed US out of complaining at
Fate. One of the NUMBER especially, married
lady whose husband and nearly grown daugh-
ter were along, won the admiration and lasting
friendship of all who were so fortunate as to
make her acquaintance In her refined and in
telligent society many an hour of those long and
dreary days and nights, glided rapidly away
Blessings on her future years, say we all. May
they be to her as pleasant as she contrived to
make the hours of her storm bound companions
at Gordonsville
Day by day .hadswe been disappointed in ex-
pecting d train for our relief None came. On
Saturday night we succeeded in getting the pro-
mise of the depot.agent that next morning he
would fire up an old engine that was standing
there frozen up. But on examining her in the
morning it was discovered that the frost had
broken one of the wheels That chance of es-
cape was therefore cut off. The day before, Mr.
Lockridge, of this county, had left us on foot,
unable any longer to restrain hismpatience to get
home to sick family. Others OF US now thought
of attempting the same thing, but short walk
soon convinced us of the herculean labor of the
undertaking.
The day passed away gloomly enough until
about g Z. NJ, when we heard the joyful sound
of the whistle in the direction of Richmond
Presently q train of three engines and several
Icars filled with negroes came plunging through
the snow. The highest excitement now pre-
vailed. We expected to be off in few minutes.
Bills were hastily paid and rush made for the
cars. But our ardor was soon damped. as we
were told that we could not go on--that this
was only working train to clear the track
Several of us sought Mr. Dodamead, the newly
|appointed Superintendent, and appealed to him
Imost earnestly to take us on at least to Char
! lottesville. This was our eighth day out. lie
told us that we would encounted great difficult
ties and some danger In attempting to go on that
'Itrain-We were willing to risk it all, and still
insisted upon going on. lie then gave way to
our wishes and said he would attach coach to
1.-THE train, give US an energetic Conductor, and
place at our service everything in the power OF
the Company. About an hour before SHUTDOWN,
we bid an atfectionate farewell to the Minstrels
i and few other friends who were going North
Ion the Alexandria road By the first trai,l--took
Iour seats and once more started towards home.
We made fine run to Gotham s miles, and
4 there stopped for wood and water. The tank
was frozen so that we spent an hour before we
could get supply Of water. Hoping to make
speedy run to Charlottesville we again started
West. All went ''merry as marriage bell' till
we got within about mile and half of Shad-
!well. There we ran into an immense snow bank,
land could neither get back nor forward. We
had forty odd negro hands aboard equipped with
shovels and spades They jumped into the snow
and in the course of al hour we were able to
shack" Here some of the passengers very I'M
Justly began to complain. They had no right to
lido SO, for Capt. Pierce, our Conductor, as well
as Mr.. Dodainead, had forewarned US of our
risks. The greatest sufferer on board was our
| friend Mrs. B. She was extremely i'll; couch
had been made for her in the car Her symp-
toms were those of a violent attack of paeuno-
MIA, and the prospect OF night on the cars in
such weather-the thermometer being at zero
was alarming. About o'clock we got back to
Keswick. Here the only shelter was log cabin
occupied by section master. 10 this the ladies
were transferred-The rest OF us had to spend
1 the night on the cars For the support OF the
negro hands, there was q barrel Of corn meal,
land some bacon and coffee in one of the freight
cars. This was our only hope of supper and
breakfast. Fortunately amongst the darkies, l
found-an old acquaintance of yours and mine,
Messrs. Editors. This was no less a parsonage
than Bob Napier Bob is man of parts. He
took command of one of the freight cars in which
was small stove. There he sooner mixed up
bucket full of corn dough for ash cakes, filled
frying pan with bacon sliced, and put upon the
stove tin bucket full of water and ground COT
fee. In the course Of an hour we had an excel
lent supper for about one-third of the passengers
But Bob was untiring and indetatigable. He
went through the motions" about three times
and by midnight all had had their suppers.
1t was bitter cold night, and out OF special
favour for old acquaintance sake, Bob invited