Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-06
IFor the Sneetator.1

to business for several months and feeling its
Injurious effects I determined to visit the
mountains for the purpose of reeuperating my
health. So, seating myself IN the cars, L was
soon moving off at lightning speed towards my |
destination reaching the point for which | set |
out about twilight, L was met with smiles and |
cordial shake of the hand by the young la
dies, and was soon ushered into the presence of |
the host, true hospitable old Virginia gentle |
man of the first stamp, under whose roof the |
weary traveller can wrap himself in the arms of |
Morpheus, and rest assured that he is in the |
hands of true friend.
Having rested for few days to gather |
strength for the arduous task before me, l set
out. accompanied by nine others, gentlemen and |
ladies, to visit that well known place, the peaks
of Otter. 1t was beautiful morning, the soft |
gentle breeze kissing our cheeks as we wendell
our way over hill and dale; but as the meridian
of the day grew nearer and nearer the heat
grew intense and the animal to which l had
been assigned, known as Colty, who, in his ear
ly training had been taught peculiar rotary
motion, threw me into profuse persplration.
some of the majestic oaks of the densely wood
ed forest we were passing through. 1t would
have seemed almost uncomfortable, had it not
been for gentle Maggie who rode at my side,
and whose clarion voice rang through the forest
like the soft sweet notes coming from harp
touched by some gentle finger.
Hating a moment beside a beautiful little
ripping stream, kissing its pebbly Shore to rest
a moment and partake of some fruit, &C., kind
ly furnished by some of the party. Here we
remained but short time, when [ suggested
forward movement, for my anxiety grew great
er and greater as neared the peaks, being then
only about one and half miles from the sum-
nit Maggie mounting Mollie, and mount
ing Colty, we applied the whip vigorously and
was soon going as fast as flesh and bones could
carry us. We had not gone far before we came
to large spring, known as the Source of Big
Otter River. Here lunch was proposed, when
soon we were somewhat picturesquely grouped
around the spring. Dinner being formally ar
ranged which did not prove source Of chagrin
and dissatisfaction to me, not being fond of con-
trariety, and caring not what stirred the still
waters Of life just at this time; seated myself,
| and soon had the half of chicken and piece
Of a pig, hanked by one or two biscuits, and a
huge piece of apple pie appeasing my ravenous
appetite as fast as my deg4qtinatinng powers
would permit. Lunch over, was kindly fur
nished by Billy, an old fashioned Virginia
| Meerschaum pipe with stem about three
inches long | looked around for soft fiat
stone and seated myself to enjoy Whit of the
| old Virginia weed when soon was dead to ev-
erything around me- My mind being complete
y absorbed in rejecting upon the past and the
| future. Soon ! was aroused by gentle Maggie
who proposed another forward movement, SO
mounting our steeds we commenced the ascent
of the Peak, riding about half way up it be-
came necessary for us to dismount again and
leave our horses, the pathway growing narrow,
! steep and rugged. After wearying with the al
most suffocating heat and the loose stones under
| foot which caused me several times to lose my
equilibrium and soil my good breeches and
shoes succeeded in reaching the summit of
the Peak with Maggie by my side. -
| The view is obstructed until you reach the
very cap stone; hence, the scenery bursts up
on you suddenly, and in all the fullness of its
| grandeur; [ stood for several minutes almost
spell bound-not being able to restrain myself
longer | became perfectly enthusiastic. Look
ing eastward the scenery is perfectly enchant
ing and sublime. AS far as the natural eye can
reach, the country seems to form a concave APP
pearance, varied with hill, dale, and rock, and
skirted by picturesque ridge; between can be
seen the small hills or mountains divided from
each other in every possible variety, pleasing to
| the eye and the Imagination; also the fields
with their luxuriant growth of wheat giving a
golden tint to the whole scenery, made it seem
that Nature had expended her best efforts to
make this the most magnificent scenery that
mortal eyes ever rested upon; | was told there
was always cool breeze stirring there which L
found to be so, for when reached the summit
[ was in a profuse perspiration, but before [
had remained there twenty minutes, | had al
most come to the conclusion we had travelled
from July to November in about three hours.
About 81 clock, P. NJ, Nature drew her cur
tain between the sublime scenery and myself
soon it grew dark, and the dense fog produced
an almost sufocating sensation, it was of short
duration, however, for like panorama, it pass
ed away, leaving the scenery more beautiful than
before; the rainbow withits prismatie colors hav-
ing formed an arch stretching from mountain
to mountain adding to the grandeur of the see
merry. There is a large fat rock there known
as the counting rock, upon which, it is said
many couples have engaged themselves but
| must acknowledge that neither my fascinating
nor persuasive powers could induce one to ac-
company me to the spot, fearing suppose the
awful consequences that tradition has assigned
to all who have risked the magic influence of
the counting rock. Well, it is all right my
friends say am too young to marry anyhow.
| The day now being far spent, we returned to
our horses, mounted and enjoyed moonlight
ride home there in time to get cold lunch, re.
firing Immediately thereafter having nightmare
and getting up with headache the next morn
! ing, and my advice to all is, if you want to get
the worth of your money in scenery-visit the
Peaks of Otter. % G..