Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-04-30
IFor the Spectator.

.ta HOUSTON, IEXAS, [
aH a April 4, 1867. s
Mr.. EDIroR.-On the morning Of the 18th
of March, Texas was visited by one OF the Sc
verest and most destructive northers that has
been seen here for many years. 1t began with
rain, and a fierce gale from the North the rain
soon turned to sleet, and then to snow which
continued to fall till the ground was white. 1t
continued cold for four days, and destroyed
nearly ali the fruit in this part Of Texas, and
killed many of the trees, especially, the fg-trees.
Corn was from to II inches high, and was all
killed to the ground Everything presented
much the appearance that it did after the de-
structive frost in Virginia ON the night OF the
4th of June, 1859. The old planters say that,
while it did SO much damage to the crops now,
it will probably be great advantage in the end,
as they have plenty Of time to make crop yet,
and the cold destroyed the myriads of grass
hoppers and other insects that had made their
appearance unusually early. The farmers all
replanted their corn, &c., as soon as the storm
was over, and everything is now looking finely
again. =
We recently visited 'Chappell Hill, $50 call
ed in honor Of an old prisoner,) which is very
pretty little town in the midst of rich and
populous country, and is the site OF Soule Uni
yersity and female college, both In flourish
Brenham to La Grange on the Colorado Bren-
ham was set on fire by the United States troops
last summer, and large part OF 1t consumed !;
and it has recently sustained another heavy loss
by an accidental fire. The stage road from
Brennan to La Grange lies over beautiful un-
dulating prairie, with occasional belts OF timber,
chiefly oak and cedar; the latter is very abun-
dant in this part of Texas. Most Of this land
is very rich, and we saw number of fine farms
on the way.
Near the road we saw a high knoll in the
open prairie, with solitary tombstone on Its
summit, bearing the inscription, Sacred to
the memory of Miss Mary H, aged l9years
and months" We were told by passenger
that Miss c. and her only brother were left the
sole heirs Of lost fortune by their parents who
died while they were children Her brother
was dissipated, and much addicted to horse
racing, by which he was rapidly squandering his
fortune, and all that his sister could say to the
contrary was of no avail. When, on her death
bed, she requested to be buried on this knoll,
around which the race-track lay, it had the de-
sired effect, and her brother never ran a race
after her death, nor was there ever another race
run on that track. Truly, she being dead yet
speaketh.' -
La Grange is beautiful town of about 1900
inhabitants, regularly laid out after the old
Spanish plan, with fine ''plaza," in the cen
tire of which the Court House stands. It is
situated on the north bank of the Colorado Rlv-
er, and is place Of considerable trade. From
here we passed down the Colorado Valley by
stage to Columbus, the county site Of Colorado
county. It stands on the south-side OF the rlv-
er, while Alleyton, the terminus Of Buffalo
Byou, Brazer & Colorado Railroad stands on
the north A large trade is carried on at the
1sttar vlo with tho IN tarior
On bright spring morning, We took the cars
for Harrisburg-on the Bay" and had to pass
over a wide fat prairie for sixty or seventy
miles. Here we would not see house IN twen-
ty or thirty miles, unless at station And the
scenery was grand indeed, for miles and miles,
as far as the eye could reach; the plain was
dotted over with cattle quietly grazing on the
tender grass occasionally, as the train went
laundering along, it would arouse a herd OF
deer which would go bounding off till lost in the
distance While myriads of geese, blue and
white cranes, and prairie hens covered the
ground everywhere, and often sit still looking
at us in a most tempting manner as we went
flying bly, The cranes seemed to be from hve
to six feet high. The prairie chicken is some
thing larger than our Virginia pheasant, which
it closely resembles, and is bird OF fine flavor.
On Saturday evening, we reached this city,
and on Sunday attended church. We found
large and attentive congregations, but from
what we saw in the evening, we were lead to
believe that the young men, at least, went more
for passtime than otherwise, as the Billiard
Saloons were all crowded all evening and till
a late hour at night, while we heard the violin
and piano in many of the private houses ln the
suburbs of the city.
The people here are generally making ready
to comply with the provisions OF the sherman
Bill, and think they will be able to control the
negro vote so as to make them an element OF
strength. The negroes have generally found
out their Northern friends and think they wont
do to trust. aa#
Some United States soldiers, a short time
since, went out from Hampstead into the coun-
try. got drunk and abused the negroes on the
plantation very much, and grossly insulted some
white families and then started for town, but
were soon oyertaken by some old Texas soldiers,
and two of the Yanks were killed. The Texans
rode off and have not been heard from since. =
OF course Thad. Stevens and his school will
pronounce them martyrs to the Union cause.
The weather is getting very warm here now,
almost summer heat. MAGNOLIA.
1t is the Elmira Advertiser which talks in
this way: 1a9aT Q!
''Young man, don't do it. Don't marry
dimples, nor eyes, nor mouths, nor chlns, mol
necks, nor simpers.r These bits and scraps OF
femininity are mighty poor things to tie to-
Marry the true thing. Look after congenlallty,
kindred sympathies,, dispositions education,
and if these be joined with social position OF
even a little lucre, why don't let them stand in
the way. Get woman-not one OF these par
lor Law figures one of these automatic that sit
down Just so-get up just so-thump piano
and dote on whisker Living statues are poor
things to call into consultation where bread
and beef is the question The poor little mind
that can scarcely fathom the depths of dress
trimming, can t be helpmeet OF any account.