Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-07-24
For the Snectatnr.

MR.. EDITOR Early on the morning OF the
4th, just as millions of Americans were awaking
to the sound of booming cannon which an,
nounced to them the return of the great
frightened my girth, and sackened my reiin,' -
and with a score of gay companions, all
fully equipped for the excursion, IN obe-::
dience to the summons of the Venerable
Commissary, and Mine Host of former excur-
sions, - set out for Eliott's Knob. Cantering
along we swept through Buffalo Gap, and pass
ing that delightful resort, Buffalo Springs,
were soon at the Summit, where we left the
main road and took the path up the mountain
steep, which, however, was not very rough
Proceeding in single file, enlivening the way
with song, and !. .anecdote, we reached the
spring where we dismounted and tethered our
wearied steeds. Pausing moment to refresh
ourselves with draught Of Adams Alegush-
ing from the rock-ribbed summit, cooler than
Arctic ice," 1000 #. above our friends at Rich
mond we commenced the ascent of the Knob
which yet lowered above us, piercing the calm,
serene, blue heavens. The path was steep and
rugged, but, after considerable exertion, and
holding to rocks, and bushes, we at last reached
the summit, the goal of our hopes. As we
looked around what sublime and beautiful
spectacle presented itself to our view. Thou
sands of feet below US, lay the glorious Valley,
like gorgeous diorama, dotted with fields,
forests, towns, villages and dwellings; with its
beautiful streams of clear, hmpid water, wend-
ing their serpentine course toward the ocean to
deliver their tribute waves, and glistening in
the sunlight, with the Iron Horse plowing his
way through the gigantic barriers, which in
vain opposed it, coursing through it, and bear
ing onward to the Mountains its precious bur-
den of weary invalids, in search Of Pool Of
Sloan the aged, the fabled Bath of Youth, or
I IL .s~xl 1cc.
Lethe for the memories of the past; tall to be
found in our delightful mountain retreats)
teeming with population and incalculable wealth,
and its 'shell-torn plains covered with grain,
and verdure, waving, green and grand while
on the other hand lay the beautiful Calf Pas
ture Valley, environed by the Alleghanies, with
Cheat Mountain far in the distance, giving en-
chantment to the perspective, with its cattle
upon thousand hills, and its lovely women,
even fairer than those of Circassia. Truly,
spectacle more magnificent was never beheld;
and, standing there, on the highest point from
where the grand old James pours into the
Chesapeake, to where the Ohio rushes on to
the Mississippi Valley, and beholding the beau
ties Of nature in all her multifold varieties,
felt transported into the ETHEREAL regions where
could hold sweet communion with Nature,
and Natures God.
The western winds came sweeping on, from
crag to crag, and peak to peak, over the Knob,
and rushing down its sides into defles and ra-
vines, shifting the grand Wind harp Of God"
at times seemed signing a requiem for those
who had paid their last visit to the lofty peak,
and were gone hence to the land of spirits--and
then to sound an Anthem to the Mighty Ar
chitect of the universe. ~
+ There was a goodly company present; con-
sisting of the aged and young the good, love-
y and beautiful in numbers; Is and, from the
sparkle of the bright eyes and the smiling coun-
tenances, could see that dull care" had been
driven away, for the nonce, and all were enjoy
ing the spanking breeze, : and fine scenery
Elegant telescopes were on hand for the bene-
fit of all, and with a sprinkle of wit, humor,
and sentiment, the hours passed rapidly away;
According to notice given, our worthy /" Chief
had a balloon prepared, which was to be an i'm
portant item in the days amusements, but in
consequence of the prevalence of a resy high
acind and not from any deficiency in the supply
of Gas it failed to ascend. The thrilling cry
of Dinner was now echoed from many
tongues, and we hastened down to the spring,
when, ''ye Gods !" what sight met our view |!
the most tempting display OF choice edibles an
epicurean might imagine Or desire. Acid
fruits. of the tropics, saccharine compounds and
O. joyful in abundance and profusion quite
indescribable., r., ase,4 tsas s,s'.4i ssq-. =
The polite and afable Ghost dispensed all
these in a most generous and hospitable man
ner, Especially the . O-bejoWul.'" - Many felt,
las was quite apparent a considerable ''eleva-
ton of the spirits, .uaQuestionably caused by
being s'hagh up" We were rapidly devouring
all btfore US, when the s'sky was suddenly
0 ercast with clouds, " and .'Look out for the
rain, caused all to rush for their horses. !,
"Ah then and there was hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblngs Of distress,
A oh oil o1o .oI hut
Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness-
And there was mounting in hot haste" - M
which however was attended with some consid-
cradle difficulties with the s.Jair ones, as stie
blocks we're not convenient, and altogether out
Of the, question year IL ste.. :, .f .4
,5a We arrived at Buffalo Gap Hotel, safe and
sound, where we halted. The. polite and gen.
furnished US the ball room, and soon all were
-'.whirling in the merry mazes of the dance"
s1 Thus the day was passed off most pleasantly
by all Of the party. trust the Chief will live
many years to make his annual excursion
to the Knob, and feel that we cannot sufficient
ly thank him for the kindness and politenesshe
exhibited to all, the excellent dinner, and that
sJagon of O-beJoust. 2
AS | rode homeward that evening l turned
and saw the lofty mountain, towering amidst
the clouds. with the last rays of the setting sun,
making bright halo of glory about its 'sgray,
bald head,' unchanged and Interchangeable, look
ing on the setting sun as it had since the
morning stars first sang together, while, ma
tions, and kingdoms had risen, .fourished and
fallen. and old tribes wasted away and new ones
sprung up, .T3agsyi.1J sos7d - Eoi. usi:s i
'Rising like cloud of incense from the earthl
A kingly spirit enthroned among the hills !l1a
A dread ambassador from earth to heaven, 5.'A
Great hierarch telling the silent sky .gnh
The bright galaxy of stars, and the setting sum-
That. Earth with her thousand voices, calls on
Godr' Gt< Sd :
: And even as looked. twilight gloom was set
ting around the giant peak and might threw
her sable curtain FER the scene,'" as ,spurred
onward, in the gathering darkness.
July 10th 1866. y4f>.N9o.es% SIGNAL
sxsaas About, Advertising. ,v~, 4
There are now and then business men tosbe
found in every community who do net or will
not recognize the benefits to be derived from
liberal af1ve,-fis sing Thew remind nslaf tha how