The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-09-23

.uii ehaI IhlSno uaFe DeeH chopped by all
the men in the world put into one man,
with an axe with all the axes in the world
put into one axe. | have, in previous
letter. so correctly described the Garden to
you from hear-say, that to do so again
would be repetition. 1T is the grandest
spot of earth that my eyes have ever beheld.
1t is, as you have been informed, ten miles
long and five wide, with turnpike run
ming straight across it through the centre
Knowing no one, we rode on to one of the
two stores and the most public place in it,
and although there were several gentlemen
present, they all seemed to be so busy
buying and selling that they had no time
to answer our seemingly idle questions in
more than monosyllables, when we re-moun-
ted, and concluded to go farther even if it
should be our luck to fare worse The sun
was still high above the horizon, and as the
tall trees made long shadows under the
slanting rays, tinging the tops of the OPP
posite mountain with its softened light,
the scene was indescribably grand, and /
thought it no wonder that the old pioneer
Burk, when his eye first fell upon that val
ley hung like an eagles nest among the
mountains, exclaimed "surely have found
my way into the ancient Eden p Wecon-
tinued to ride on leisurely, seemingly with
out purpose or destination, but rapt in adj
miration of all that met our vision-tall
timber, green fields, laded orchards, spark
ling riVulets, fat cattle, tasty homesteads-
till we reached the boundary on the farther
or southern side, when we began to cast
about for shelter for the night, more es-
pecially as ON inous looking clouds
were looming up in the distance, accom-
panied by flaws of wind and scattered rain
drops. Seeing a neat little farm house
hardly, surrounded by rich fruits and green
pastures, we rode up and We're met at the
gate by pleasant looking young gentle
man who, on being told who we were
! and what our mission. threw open his
doors and his heart, and gave us one
of those generous welcomes which we have
never seen more warm and gushing than in
Tazewell county. We were at the resi-
dence of Mr.. Fl. H. McGinnis, who had but
recently commenced house keeping, and
although we felt that we We're improperly
intrudlng upon new beginners, the kind
and hospitable attentions of his pleasant
lady and himself, made us feel at home and
forget that we were strangers.
Wednesday,, Aug. 23d.-The peregrina-
tions of the past few days having wearied
us somewhat, we did not rise this morning
as early as usual but in ample time to see
old Sol lift himself over the eastern barrier,
and strangely and gorgeously light up
with golden tints the foliage, flowers and
magnificent meadows of that beautiful
valley. comfortable nights rest and an
excellent breakfast prepared us for another
day OF wandering and observation, and
bidding adieu to our kind entertainers,
we started out to see more of the spot upon
which Nature seems to have concentrated
the sum total of her bounties Coming
to a large gate that had white-oak trees for
posts, and seeing a large herd of cattle up
to their eyes in bluegrass, in an Enclosure
of hundreds of acres, we turned in, and
finding path leading eastward, we follow
ed it for several miles, by passing through
a number of gates. We at length found
ourselves upon the splendid estate that
once belonged to Governor Floyd, or the
Floyd family, and where, as have before
told you, white. oak once spread its broad
shade the trunk of which measured not less
than nine feet in diameter and near which
we drank from spring 1870 feet in circum
ference, the bottom of which has never
been sounded.
| Allcl lletliS ABOUT lot several hours
among the green pastures and noble old for
est trees, we made our way to the road
again, and were shown the spot, near the
centre of the garden, where Burk lighted
his first campfire and spent his first night,
in his new found paradise, marked by
splendid spring and the stump of
giant sugar tree. Passing on mile or two
more brought us to the residence of Mr..
Litz, in the western end, whose son accom-
panied me to the top of the mountain four or
five miles off, while Mr. Brunette remained
to rest his horse, where a magnificent view
of the whole area is obtained. The Garden,
including the arabic mountain sides, con.
tains some $4,000 acres, about one ninth of
which belongs to two individuals-M
Lawson and Meek. We learned from the
census taker, whom we met on his mission,
that it embraces $50 families and LOO
inhabitants. Although it is seemingly
level, the streams all flow with considera-
BILE rapidity, and converge toward the gap,
where they form large creek, that goes
leaping and believing down the steep, rocky
mountain-side with wild and fearful velo-
city, falling 500 feet in the first half mile
of its turbulent course.
After enjoying comfortable family dinner
| with Mr.. Litz, we turned our horses heads
westward, and night found us at the resi-
denco of Mr.. James s. Wilton, A miles from
Jacksonville, where we found a cordial
welcome, pheasant and happy family, and
a houseful of pretty young ladies, gathered
in from the neighborhood. Mr.. Wilton,
like Gen. Bowen, is one of those whole
souled gentlemen who seem to feel honor
ed by call, whose Inequalities are as free
and boundless as the breezes of their native
hills, and whose houses, omnibus like, how
ever full, always have room for one more.
After chatting till late hour with the old
folks, while the hours with my young COM
panion flew past as if on angels wing in
the parlor, we retired to comfortable room
and were soon oblivious of our fatigues
and troubles in the arms of Morpheus.
Thursday, Aug. 24th.-Rose early to an
excellent breakfast, greatly refreshed, and
ready for anything that might turn up.
1t was bright morning, bat the clouds
hanging lazily upon neighborins noun
tains gave indication of coming rain
When we spoke of starting homeward, Mr..
Wilton informed us that we couldn't do
that thing that day, but must remain at
least one day longer, if not week We
were too polite to be rude, and of course
cheerfully consented to postpone our start.
For my part, was gratitied that we did,