Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-09
Letter from Orkney.

Correspondence Of Tie 4ierandria Gazette.
ORKNEY SPRINGS, Aug 5, lS59.-This will
be my last letter this season. We must now
prepare for returning home, and once more
put ON the straight Jacket Of business. This
has been very pleasant trip. aud if our
dottngs down have interested your many
readers. we are content.
They have biz doings here now. Men
dressed III fancy costumes ride hard. with
spear in hand, for Il certain ring suspended
from two pole, by wire, and the one who
bears away the ring the greatest number OF
times, is entitled Ia the selection Of young
lady, t. be the Queen; and then the crown
ing, and the grnndiloquent speeches. all 20
To fill up and pass away the hours Of the
tournament Day" The number now pre-
sent on these grounds is yurousy estimated
at from three " five hundred persons. This
season 81 far has been the most successful
one Orkney has ever had 1t is very anus
ing to step aside from the yari us groups,
and observe the actions, aud listen to the re-
marks of the neighborhood people. who on
Saturdays congreSate here, TO show the fash
IONS OF II by-gone age. and see the fashions oi
the present Hundreds of these mountain
GERS, OF simple habits aud few wants, look
with amaIeinent and wonder ut the brilliant
displays Of our city and lower country folks.
pr u m Ia klt an
ut Orkney before this season.. and hence tho
greater surprise On the part Of the NATIVES"
who some of them look on with mouth and
eyes wide open. They forget that their odd
appearance also attracts attention, aud thus
you have the fashion and accomplishments Of
this century brOug ht in close contact with
those of the last, accomplishments left out. J
d. you see that aged couple yondery They
have long butfeted the storms Of lite together,
and to-day have donued their holiday attire
10 visit the springs. anu see the sights. Nel-
Their have seen Il steamboat or railroad car.
The man, when II youth, once visited Alex
andrla with his d0d, when once Il year they
went thither 10 market, but never since has
he been very far from home, save now and
then IL Court, but not since the ears have
come has he been down to town. They APP
pear To have on their wedding tixings;" his
long swallow tailed aud high colared blue,
with the plain brass buttons shows rs pruml-
nent as the large. long, and massive bonnet
OF his better-half. OF course, there are no
hoops worn. Why, young gentlemen Of AL
eXandria, 1t don't cost ~ much by - per Ct,
to clothe u wife after this fashion, rs the one
your bellies adopt. Seven yards Of calico. at
nincpence yard, makes dress after this
old fashion, and the country merchant gener-
alg throws in the boss. aud sometimes the
hooks and eyes. Besides, shoes are only
worn when ut meeting, or On the spring
ground, by many. They all save their leath
er appendages Tor cold weather. Some Of
our city ladies would have been much shock
Ell IT. have seen group OF these mountain
women Lon the dismissal Of meetingl sit
down. forming Il ring and fill their pipes and
fire their tobacco, with mannuvering that
throws the aborgines of our land far IN the
back ground. And yet these PLAIN, honest
people appear to enjoy life in their way, and
none of them show the anxious countenance
Of Miss Flora McFlimsey, who is constantly
saying. she's nothing to wear. They want
but little here below, nor want that little
long"
We have had here II sick stranger. lie
comes from the South more than =, 900 miles
away, from the land Of the golden orange
lie has been very i'll indeed, but is now bet
ter and We hope will recover. 1t is astonish-
ing to see the amount Of sympathy expressed
by the visitors for him and his wife Even
those who have arrived since the beginning of
his illness, and have never seen his face, are
anxious for his recovery. His wife, used to
warm hearted affection IN their own southern
home. appears completely overcome by the
Kindness Of entire strangers. which after all
is but Il characteristic Of the true iirginian.
Well. friends must part. Pleasant little
circles must be broken up-truuks packed
and strapped-the goodbye given. and away
We 20 to our respective homes. again to AS
sumo the cares and anxiety belonging to our
various occupations This little holiday.
this recreation. the breathing the pure noun
tam air. and drinking from these medicinal
springs, give one such brucing. that You
feel like pIoughing straight through, be the
market tight" or easy" and hoping the
coming fall will be one long Ia be remember
ed for its business activity, in all branches Ut
both trade and commerce, your friend now
bids you and your subscribers goodbye. NJ.