Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-13

the great Roman .
adel on fire; whiI4 Iad
been the 10th of an inch
very different would hav
the world. 1t is not neea
foard, to learn the value,
of dying man, of drop 6l-,. Nor.
therefore, would any apology be necessary
for chrOnicling the fact that cart wheel
ran over the big toe of an old woman In Boil
war, few days since. Fortunately no such
accident took place, therefore the sad narra-
tive, and symPathizing tear, are alike unealled
tor simply insist that since a live mouse
Is better than dead lion, live toe is at
least as good as dead nose, though the lat
ter graeed the face of an Egyptian Queen,
and the most important business of the iermer
was to help the locOmotion of an cid lady in
a neighboring township.
If this explanation is as satisfactory to 9TH
ers Is 1t Is to myself, 1 am justified in the
complaeeney with which 1 proceed to the
performance OF my weekly contribution
Noltaire, you remember, tells us to disbelieve
everything in history that we cannot upderS
stand. That two boys were sucked by n
wolf, and afterwards founded an empire that
hero on horseback jumped into n ebasm.
which Immediately closed up, and. the Gods
being appeased by the sacrifice, his country
was saved, ct cetcrd, are dismissed as fables J.
while the story of warrior in armor. with
documents between his teeth, swimming the
Ilber, Is left in doubt 1t is possible. and
may be true. The mantle of the unbelievine
trenchman Is not large enough for some of his
disciples of modern days. Some time ago n
book was written to prove that the story of
William Tell was fable, and Tell himself n
Scandinavian character of ancient DAYS; and
!
prove the same of the romantic and beautiful
tale of POcahontas. Will nothing satisfy
these modern Atiilas They propose to con-
tiscate our lIrds, and lay violent and unholy
hands even on our traditions. For my part.
II an election be given us, l say let the lands
go, but hold on to the national traditions
Worldly wisdom is most concerned about tho
present, ambition looks to the future, but
and l appeal to the history alike of the exiled
lsraelite, and the exiled lrishman-the heart
OF every people values most the GLORIOUS
memories of its past
Harper's Ferry is interested in this matter.
As soon as the alumni of Cambridge hears of
the stone-steps of this place. they'll doubt
their existence-mOst certainly deny that
Mr. Hagan of the hill, rode them down in
a hand gallop. Fortunately, however, Mr..
Hagan Is alive and well to day, and il plenty
of exercise, regular habits aud clear con-
science have anything to say to health and
longevity, Will live for many day and be able
to repeat the feat The stone steps are heWn
out of the solid rock At the first flight.
coy and convenient, stands Tom Earushaw's
saloon. A little higher up. you are directed
to the residence of DE- Marmion, the Memo
Phon Of the Ferry; the participation in much.
and the historian of everything of interest
that has taken place here for half century.
a few steps farther up takes you to the Cath
ole Chapel that in this instance certainly is
built on rock. The Chapel stands on the
very side of the hill, and commands mag
nlhcent view OF the Blue Ridge, the meandar-
Ings OF the Potomac, Sandy Hook, and Mary
land Heights. Mr. Kane, the pastor success
sor to DIR. Costello, is young man of cohsid-
cradle talent, which good sense, no doubt.
will cultivate, with an amiabIe disposition
which requires no cultivation, and which has
already made for him hosts of admirers and
friends. Higher still stands JefFerson's Rock.
or all that the jack knife of the tourist has
lett OF 1t; and higher up, and farther back,
overlooking the Shenandoah river, are build
ings, that-iOrmerly private residenees-arc
now used as cOlOred schools. 1t is not a mat
ter OF very grave importance, but it may not
be generally known, that it was on these stone
4 n
house, the ruins of which threaten each day
to tumble down on the stone steps. that one
OF Inc present Justices OF the Supreme Court
was married.
Thus you see what numbeTless elements of
interest, personal, local and public, attach to
these stone-steps. Leaving behind you, with
Tom Earnshaw, the world and its vanities
they lead to the healing art and its remedies
and should they fail, TO religion and its con-
solutions; then TO patriotism and its hero
to humanity in its different shades-nature
at each step unwilling herself to You in all
her loneliness. So then hands off. Boston.
lconOclasm. avaunt! Deprive us of our suf
irages, confscate our lands, but deny not the
truth Of our traditions. Leave US our men,
cries
Touch not single step.
Since writing the above, haze received
from an old resident, an account Of once
well known, but now almost forgotten char
acter OF this place. | give you a portion of
the account, in the language. but without any
OF the collOquial JUNCTION and zest of the fine
old narrator.
g.. Tie residence Of Doctor Brown vas IN
the mn not Tar from the Chapel The steps
is W ~ Iou NAV see its ruins still. The Doctor
being profound, his opinion physcis6 vac r. =,
through all the country round ahOIi. He was spot-
lessly pure in character. Winter md sumU,.r ~.
Doctor wore rose in his button hole. He was fond
OF howers' and ] suppose, had more eaiorie tbsn
most people He wore acOmb. negro ashton in ,be
back Of his head He was bachelor. rich had al
ways hilesn or twenty pet dogs at bis heels and
kept housekesper The Doctor had a great many
strange notions. One Of them was, that U-brn ~
died he'd return in some way or another In niUe
days. Accordingly he left quitea respectable leg
aey 70 hiI hogsekeePer, the undertaking bGing,
that che should watch his grave for nine DAYS %
that when he rose he'd have . change Of 0aTG1eBtG
The old lady received the legacy; but whether she
Eatche1 the grave or not, do not know; but the
Doctor never made bis appearance in these paTt9
since he death, which took place in I524 UbiIe I
was in Philadelphia taking Lectr,r.. r..