The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-14
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LIFE AT ROCKBRIDGE ALUM.
AUGUST III, 1858.

This morning was a glorious one-onc of those
ings which might have sanctioned INVALID in
enjoying the luxury of walk. We before break
fast and sauntercd dreamiy down the linden shaded
walk with halfshut eyes and delicious of pleas
ure we paused the little bridge at the foot of the
grounds listen to pretty silvcry nkle just below
from stream which tppcd the stones and danced
and sported along with long wreatbs of green Haunting
from little clefts either size and pretty blue bells
noddng sInngly from tho tips of their little stems to
their noisy neighbors among the pebbles.
We went up the road, STOPPING now and then to
pull the dark loose soil long, slim stems of wild
sarsaparilla which grew either side. Turning the
angle at the top of the HILL eyes encountered what
they not expecting to at such moment and in
such place. Seated upon the grass, with her head
resting huge fragment OF rock, sat a little
girl sleeping One arm was Strengthened, showing
pretty dmple at tho elbow while the other grasp
cd basket of maple sugar. The shoulder had slip
ped up from the torn calico frock, and its pol
ishcd whitcness contr,sted beautifully with the
burnt cheek There broad gaps in her clumsy
shoes, and they stained with the purple flowers
which she had crushed in her mornings walk. 1t
evidently child from of the cottages in the vicinity
on her way TO the springs to dispose of maple sugar
which is much sought after by the visitors Tho weaed
little stranger had stopped to rest her aching feet and
fallen asleep where her We walked on without
disturbing her. and entering path it led us to spot
such as fairies might have delighted in when fairies
dwet upon the earth-loney, lovely, tranquilwth the
deep blue of wild flowers enamclling the soil in such
proflsion that it though the sky out of
pair aud dropping blue fragments upon the ground We
sat down upon stone with of such exquisite
joyment neither be described nor imagined The
soft breeze foatcd by waiting whiis OF fragrance, and
little restless birds ehirpcd out their wabefulncss from
the tree above From another tree crowd of
little birds rustled among the leaves and chiruped
loud and clear, if bevy Of children had escaped
to the woods and were playing hdeand seek with
an omnipresent bob White' who would only answer
when called with whistle. Bob Whhe soliloquzed
phlosophic looking little fellow from the tree above
our head. He looked about moment and then
\ ~. M
lie gave three of his smooth little head
and then added ssOtd" if Bob White rather
sve the of his years. and would be drawn out
to repc the injurious insnuaton. 1t responded to
from the adjoining tree for out trpped neat thrifty
looking bird, who appeared TO be keeping house. and
looked smnrtly about for the individual who had pepe
trated SO unjust Islander. sod Bob w Me! AS if the
enormity grew with the repetition he hoped upon
other branch, adjusted his pumage, and boldly
eye could defy he tefed the libeler. The alteration
becoming sharp. when presently soft and entreat
ing voice from below cried out "Bob While" His anger
seemed dssipated in moment and he alighted from his
post of defiance, tripping away evidently anticipating
appeal to his feelings husband and father. He
reached one the lower branches where Mrs Bob
White was vainy cndeavoring to keep nesting little
group in order during her husband sally in defence of
his youth. When he arrived he found dozen Dob
Whaes tumblirg about with the manifest intention of
rebclling against parental authority. The mother
treats the father demonstrates, and in due time order
was restored the mother bird spread her soft feathers
and hushed them into silence and the exercise of parcn
tai authority had elevated Bob Whites estimation of
himself that he seemed to forgive all that had previously
excited his Indignation He evidently felt that rcpccta
bility established on such basis not easily
thrown and thus reconcicd with himself, no walked
forth upon the branches with complacency which
epitbets could not disturb.
On way home overlook little tired sleeper,
who, refreshed by her nap, walking brisly to the
grounds. We must confess that much of our romance
dspelIed by sight of the coeecolored complexion
and uncouth staring eyes with which she dropped
of afinu. md wi Z