The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-09-02
From Oar Charlottesville Correspondent.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA,
August 9th, 1868.

En1ToR VTRGIN1AN 1T has been long
time since anything in the shape of a letter,
from your Charlottesville Correspondent ap-
reared in the Virginian. This has not been his
fault, nor indeed the fault Of anybody in par
t;cular hut only another effect of warm weather
and want of news You know that we are a
yery quiet inofensive people here, mot carin'
aothin' for nobody" moving along IN our easy
way. careless of the great events which trouble
the people ofour whole country, perfectly salts
fed if we can get bread and meat.
Thaveoften wondered what this town would
do If the University should go down, and
vet little money is spent here by students.
Every day some Of our young men pack up
and 60 to other parts Of the country, where
trade is brisker and money more plentiful,
Oh, the war!
We'll. we look forward to the time when
Seymour shall be President and Gen Blair
presiding over the T. S. Senate. Then, we
trust for better times.
We hope then to have many improvements,
and it may be, even Fair Ground, as fine as
you intend to make yours at Stauuton.
This Fair Ground reminds me, that one Of
our Oldest and best citizens, has decided to
move to your Aourishing little city. Irefer to
VIM A. Pratt Esq.
1t may not be out of place for me to say a
few words about this gentleman lie is by
profession, an architect and Engineer. When
only seventeen years Of age, he was employed
by Charles B. Fisk, to aid in building the
| Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. BY strict atten
ton to business, he soon gained the confidence
of his employer, and in short time was pro-
noted to the position of First Assistant Engi-
neer. In this new capacity, he had chance
to DISPLAY that ingenuity, which has, since
given him such an enviable reputation.
He afterwards was in the employ Of the
B. & 0. R. R.
In the course of time, he removed to this
place, where he served many years at the Uni
versity It was through his energy, that the
beautiful picture, ''School Of Athens" now
adorns the walls Of the public Hall. Some
4 years ago, when it was contemplated to ezpena
two hundred thousand dollars in improving
the University, Mr. Pratt's plan was submit
ted to Charles w. Walter, the Prince Of Arch
fleets, and by him fully endorsed, OF in his own
language Il would make no additions OF
alterations, as it (the plan) meets with my
unqualified approval"
BY industry and economy, after thirty five
years spent in following his profession, Mr.
Pratt secured a comfortable fortune, which
was mostly carried away by the war. With
his whole soul in the contest, he forgot that
fortune had fled and was not reminded OF his
loss, until the surrender revealed that hopes
and fortune had alike passed away.
He then opened a store, and has, until the
present time, been engaged in this business
Your Fair Ground, revived desire to be
back in his old profession, and am happy to
learn that his plan has been adopted by the
Board of Directors.
l have but one objection to this whole pro
cseding-you rob Us one Of our best citizens
have heard that Mr.. 2. intends to locate
in your town; if SO, you will have gained, ant
we lost most valuable friend and citizen.
But if l keep on writing, this letter vii
, grow to such proportions that no paper vii
publish it-not even my fayorlte, the Viz
ginan. NIB.
We hope sNib" will favor us often in the
future His ssfavorite" always welcomes hi
letters, and SO do its readers.