Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-22
NUMBER 8.
. COMMUNICATIONS.
For the indicator.
MONTEREY, JAN. 7th, 1859.


Messrs. Editors 1t may be thought.
and is I know, by those who Ire in lower
chimes and less frosty regions. that winter
life, here among the mountains, is never
varied-that it is one long uninterrupted
within indoors that, like bruin,, we creep
into our caves and suck our paws until the
warm Sunshine and genial breath Of Spring
comes again. Such is not the fact, Messrs.
Editors, and / desire to undeceive such Of
your readers as may hold that opinion, by
giving them BIRDS eye view of one of the
nsany of our Winter scenes:
It may be said with truth, I confess, that
here Old Winter has his throne, but at the
same time it must be admitted, that none of
his subjects bear his icy rule with more pa
thence, good will, and cheerfulness than We
do. 1t is true that we have our towering
mountains, deep SHOWS, and chilling winds,
but they do. not prevent us from making
ourselves happy through the enjoyments Of
social intercourse. We have little else to
do In Winter, and we make it joyous with
our songs and dances, as you may have
seen had you been here on The night of the
Goth ultimo On that. night 81 81
"Highlands Capital had gathered there
Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright -
The lamps shonc DER fair women and brav men;
And ffty hearts beat happily and when
Music arose with its vouptuous swell,
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as marriage bell"
But no '.deep sounds" nor "cannon's
opening rear struck like a rising knell on
the ears of the jewellers that night to mar
the enjoyment Of the occasion all was har-
mony and delight, and fully did they real
ize the fact, that there is
'No sleep till morn. when Ycuth and Beauty meet,
To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet"
Seldom, if ever, has Highlands Capt.
taF witnessed such scene as was present.
ed to our enraptured gaze on that night
| have said that "the light shone DER fair
women and brace men, and have said tru-
ly. Such an array Of female beauty and
loneliness as was gathered there, it has
rarely been my good fortune to behold ; and
stouter, brqver and more gallant hearts new
er assembled to do homage at the shrine Of
Love ard Beauty. ~, ...e.1 7a sd eg ii
The dancing and festivities were kept up
until
ssThe yapors round the mountains curl'd e
Melt into morn, and Light awakes the world"
Then all retired from the festive hall to
seek little rest and refreshment, but to
return again to renew and finish what was
so gloriously begun on the night before -
t At IL o'clock Of that day the festivities
ceased after dance Of about three hours,
and each Of the guests sought his and her
home, without single regret, save, that
so joyous scene should be brought to so
early close Alas. the pleasures of this
world, how feeting a
| Nor should we forget our worthy host
and hostess of the Fountain House." who
prepared the room and refreshments for the
entertainment They were not wanting,
nor did they fail in their efforts to please
their guests. The hall was beautifully and
tastefully decorated with evergreen pines, 2
and looked more like syzuan bouer than a
room encased with brick walls. The effect
was indeed striking and picturesque, and
with those bright forms fitting SO lightly
through it, one almost imagined himself in
fairy land The supper was elegant and
abundant, and the refreshments during the
night appropriate and well-timed. All
honor to the worthy host and hostess of the
Fountain long will they be remembered
by those who partook Of their good cheer on
that night !,