Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-09-28
NO. 6.
ARTICLES.
For the Virgisia Free Press.
NoRrH MOUNTAIN, WEsr VA.
Senfe5aber An 1861.

NORTH MOUNTAIN, W ESf L..
September An, 1865.
Nm Eprron.-After an absence of nearly FIVE
wears am in the enjoyment of the almost inestima
bic privilege ct gazing upon the everlasting NILS
and mountains, that "stsnd guard around TINS
country. III any one had told me then, that these
peaceful hills and wales would resound TO the
tread of thousands Of armed menand that the IRON
hoofed steeds Of war would picket this farfamed
Railroad | could not have believed II. And yet,
the very house where pen these lines has witness
ed the flashing of artilery-and the darSened earth
and fre-killed trees bear evidence to the work OF
the torch of war. Yon block-house, strongly
and skillfully constructed, now silent and tenant
less was but few months ago the quarters OF stout
men; and its predecessor that stood ON the same
ground was more than once the scene oil deadly skir-
misses.
Now that the country is again at peace, how de-
lightful the reunion Of long separated triends!-
How pleasant to escape from the dust and heat OF
the CITY, and far away from the busy haunts OF trade
to sit here, and gazing upon the boundless panora-
ma of mountains and wales, look from nature up to
Natures God.
This section OF country now so peaceful and quiet,
has suffered very much from the occupancy OF the
contendng armies of both sections. Hundreds OF
Union citizens at times would Zee 20 Maryland, and
thera remain for months, until the fortunes of war
would again open the way for areturn to home and
friends MANY amusing incidents are related by
the Refugees, of the double-quick retreats they
made, % evade the scouts, &c OF the Contederates.
below Little Georgetown, for the purpose OF Bass
| fishing" After pleasant walk OF five miles, pur-
chasing the necessary tackle, and improvising a
rod from the banks Of the river joined my friends
| Mac who had preceded me, and were then quietly
| angling for that delightful fish.
| They had provided supply of craw-tsh and
grasshoppers for bait and after proper instructions
from nv companions, with soft rock for seat,
threw out my line to tempt the tnny tribes OF the
| beautiful stream. Like ''Patience on monument,
/ I. ~, 4 cat
eifortsl Nv friends moved down theriyer about y
of mile to Cost)ns Spring, in hopes OF better luck.
Some fine Bass rewarded their superior angling,
but alas for my unsophistcated art-no glitterlng
fish could be induced 10 let me land him on terra
irma." though few were quite willing TO gorge
1 themselves with the tempting "morceau, so care
| fully impsled for them. From morn till dewy eve,
\ persistently continued, with no reward but the
| "fshermane luck"
| Nv friends presented nc with the finest Bass OF
! the captives. in consideration of being novice;
and about dusk, we took up our line OF march Tor
| home.
Passing through the village of Little George
! town-a more tired and wiser man from my days
| experience-I looked upon the Brick Church that
stands upon the hillside and thought of the loved
ones that lie so peacefully and quietly beneath its
| grass-grOwn burial ground.
Darling Made-the Joy ofour household-brought
from the distant city With the fonc hope that inc
nure air and generous diet Of these mountains would
restore the bloom Of health % her wasting form
wears ago. was consigned by loving hands TO this
| quiet resting place The good old man who dotted
on the little darling and did all in his power to- al
leviate its suerings, now lies beside her. And, II
ever noble, self-denying christian man passed
through the dark valley and ascended to the glories
of the new Jerusalem, surely he did.
Arriving home, about eight o'clock, with my
youthful companion, (whose luck was no better
than NINE we found that our dear old auntie had
a good, substantial meal in readiness for us-to
which our long fasting had prepared Us 10 do am
ple Justice. Heaven bless her unseltsh hcart-we
will ever cherish her kinduess-and the memory OF
that delicious milk with its creamy crest, and tho
| snowny bread. To properly appreciate such meal,
one has only 10 eat bakers bread and drink the blue
stuff they dignity with the name Of milk in the ci-
tes for while.
After supper. all hands surrounded the table TO
prepare peaches for making gPeach-bntter, IN huge
brass kettle, that stood the porch, ready 10 re-
ceive its delicious fruit Many good joke was
cracked BY that gay party Of young girls, boys and
stad old farmers and matrons. The following
truthful incident was related: during tne hrHt
wear of the war a venerable Turkey GObbler was
| missing from the barn-yard for several days
After various surmises as 10 the cause OF his disap-
pearance il was finally concluded that some 9 var
mint" from the surrounding forest had carried on
his ordship, and thus deprived our host and family
of the intended Christmas Turkey. a dihgent
search however, revealed the astounding fact, that
he had actually found q nest Of eggs, driving on
the hen and stretching his bury carcass over them,
had gone regularly into the process OF INCUBATION.
Strange to say, he persstenty continued his labor
Of love- and in due time paraded his lovely prood
of chickens to the small delight Of my friend NJ
and his family. Stranger still, he continued with
paternal and maternal care to provide for his pro-
eenv in all respects as became good Turkey-lien,
until they able to scratch for themselves. his
living witnesses of this strange freak
| of his Turkeyship.
To-day we take the on this magnificent Road
for home Bidding adieu to the kind friends this
beautiful country, we 90 again 20 the work ana
tolls of citv-ife thankful for the brief respite We
| baye an heartily euioyed Yours truly,
YIATOR.