The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-07-02
MORE OLD VIRGINIA FIDDLING.
Inauguration of the Season at tn
RockbIidge Baths,

About two weeks ago traveller who
desired to see the Goshen Pass in all
it's glory, perched himself on the top of
the Estage for the purpose, and was
there tossed up and down like Sancho
Panza in the blanket for the space of
some two dreadful hours. sBP They
were at work on the road, and it is now
in better order than it has been since
the breaking out of the war
Arrived at the baths, sore in every
muscle and bone, our unhappy travel
er slowly and painfully dismounted
from his lofty perch, and, as he alighted,
said in his heart. "Oh! that l might
remain in this little tavern on the hill
all night and rest my bruised frame
until morning." Little he dreamed
that his inward prayer would be speed
lily answered. His feet had had barely
touched the ground when his hand re-
ceived the cordial grasp of Mr.. Eugene
Peyton, who introduced him at once to
Mr.. Mayo and Mr.. Tom Coleman, and
all three insisted that he should remain
all night. "No," "he replied, with Spar
tan firmness, 81 have two young ladies
under my charge, and must reach Lex
ington tonight"
Then it was that Eugene, knowing
the travellers weakness, drew him aside
and said, "Stay. You shall have de-
licious bath, sweet clean bed, and
some real old Virginia F5cldling."
There was no resisting the ''tiddling." "
The traveller, after due apology, put
his young ladies in charge Of an elderly
gentleman from Richmond, ate his sup
per, smoked his pipe, and then called
for s'that fiddle" Mr.. Tom Coleman
responded promptly and cheerfu!ly,
tuned and scraped and tuned, and
twittercd up and down the strings lin
the manner Of all Virginia fiddlers)
and, after getting good running start
dashed into lively old-time jig, hold
ing the bow with his left hand, ant
making the walls ring with the merry
music.
Eugene sat for some time smoking il
silence and suppressing his rising emo
tions, but you could see that he was
quivering all over. At length, unable
to sit any longer, he bounced upon hi:
feet, dashed down his pipe, caught Mrs
| G. by the hand, drew her into siie Iioor
and called on all present to join him il
dance. Nothing loath, Mayo seizet
little Miss G. Tor his partner; thirt
couple was made by two gentlemen
and the fourth, to the amazement o
everybody, consisted of no less a per-
sonage than the bone-aching and mus
Gle, bruised traveller, whose partner Ia
good luck would have it-for he ha,
struck streak that night) was litt!,
sylph with beaming eyes and luxurian
hair-the belle of the occasion.
Then we had it-gently at first-bu
as Coleman's elbow joint began to ge
supple and bis bow began to play lik
lightning over the strings, the fun wax
ed fast and faster until the clock struc
IL, and the stage-bruised traveller erie
'hold, enough!" Such was the powe
of old Virginia fiddling that it kept i
active motion for three hours a ma
! who thought himself unable to stand o
his feet q single instant, .and thus wa
inaugurated the season of $50 at tn
Rockbridge Baths. We dare be swor
that efiis fittle impromptu dance was {
much enjoyed by all the participants ;
any ofthe more formal and fashionab
balls to occur hereafter will be. Col
man is only an amateur fiddler, play
cltogether by ear, doesn't even kno
the n, mes of half the tunes he play'