Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-20
For the Speed
Arkansas Correspopdence.-Ne.

AIkauB01 OVkACokSeS~>~~~~
Messs Editon:-Wben closed my iast
ter, l was just leaving the cabin by the wayna
with mothers blessing on my bead, ana ns
vsnity enough to believe, with the good oPlR
Of the little Arkansion also.
While travelling on the Arkansas Railroad
my outward journey here, some one ooservel
there were no Switches or turn outs on the
so far as he had been able to ipd ont, ana Grs
fears of collision, were expressed, I'd case
should happen to meet another train. AN lrisi
man near Us, acquainted with the roao, ove1
heard what was said, and very generously qu'
ed all fear, by this characteristic remark;
faith my dear sir, you nsd'ent be sire,o,
you're on the only train Wen meet o-asy.
What was true of the cars found 10 meas91 y
true of the road travelled that evening 70
several miles was about the only one thss
met, hence will give you . few thougnts, an.
general reflections. The Western people 30 ian
as have formed their acquaintance, are vetT
kind at their homes and very communicative 70
strangers. This makes it very pleasant to any
one travelling through the country, ana anoros
q fine opportunity to learn something OF human
nature in one of it's most interesting phases.
The yicissitudes of emigrant life, bring about
peculiar condition Of society, all feel that
something is wanting to make things better, yet
as to what that thing is but few can unite upon
the same opinion. Hence almost every man has
an opinion of his own, to which he clings Will
great tenacity, and because every body does not
agree with him and carry out bis notion OF
things, as to what constitute the best means OF
social reform, every body is to be blamed more
or less for the 'sbad state of things" as IL
somewhat technically termed.
And unless some one succeeds IN throwing
dirt in the eyes of others and takes advantage
of the temporary blindness to get numcer 70
move in the same direction, but little OF pubic
spirited character is to be accomplished, except
by individual effort. This tends to explain why
hurnbuggery is necessary institution out west
and for the present distress, is Indispensable
A proposed enterprise must be 90 ampli1ed that
all can see it, and be made to believe that most
magnificent enterprise, stupendous in its results,
can be accomplished with alight effort, and with
comparatively little compromise on their parf,
and when thus presented, as everything to be
gained and nothing lost, then the matter becomes
popular and is bound to succeed.
But must return from this depression and tell
you something of what saw during the sfter-
noon. The road at one place passed through
forest of oak, heavily loaded with acorns. here
an almost fabulous number of red headed wood
De ckers had collected, bird very familiar to
those persons in Virginia who have gardens
and orchards. These birds were gathering the
acorns and secreting them in the bark OF trees,
and they displayed great vigilance and courage
in guarding their favorite oak trees from the
depredstions Of myriads Of pigeons. l scarcely
supposed there was as many pigeons 10 the woria
as saw that afternoon, bat their invasion OF
this domain of wood peckers was by no means
successful, for one OF these red headed heroes
could put hundred pigeons to flight with al
ease, by simply louncing on one ana screaming
at the rest. entw
The warfare seemed to be uncompromising,
except when the pigeons would rest on dead
trees or leafless elns I felt as If would be
almost deatened by their discordant chattering
and the whirrng OF countless wings like the roar
of distant drum. l could not help admiring
the prudence evinced by some Turkey Buzzards
soaring far above the tumult Of this feathered
strife.
With them all was peace and quiet, as they
SLOWLY coursed their serial circles with unclouded
sunshine on their ugly heads. In few hours,
however, reached small prairie, where all
was peace and quietude too, and FROM that on to
the close of the d0y saw nothing worth record.
| ing, until came to the banks Of the Bayou de
! View, over whose dark waters, the cypress
frowns in melancholy silence. There Is some-
thing pensivelY charming in the solitude OF 9
cypress forest on still evening In Autumn, and
one feels most impressively the words OF the
poet, addressed in solitude to the Deity: i
| "The calm retreat and silent shade ss
With prayer and praise agree.
| And seem by thy sweet bounty made
For those that worship thee"
In my next hope to give you few more
notes, and until then farewell. .--.
-~' - T, ANGTIIIE