Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-11-25
LETTER FROM SPARTA.

Nov. 10, 1871. J
EDITORS CHRONICLE When the
postmaster here handed me paper
yesterday, was agreeabay surprised,
to find that 1t was the Clarksville
CHRONICLE, which you or some UNI
known friend has had the kindness
to mail to me. Please permit me to
talk little with the numerous old
friends among your readers. A horse
back journey, OF nearly two hundred
miles, Is romantic and interesting
these days. However, after passing
Lebanon, my faithful animal got
lame, and shutdown came upon me
just at the foot of Shows Hill, but to
reach Smithville before sleeping must
be attempted. A halt was made In
order to think. Just then the thun-
der uttered low growl behind the
mountains, and to go forward seemed
madness; it was nine miles, and will
derness and no moon. Wonder, a lit
tie Off to the left, is the house of
Alex. r., which, eighteen years ago,
when for a year threaded these
mountain passes, was my welcome
and special home. But the war has
come aud gone, and his family and
myself have fallen on different sides
in every respect. But there is no
other alternative will pull his
latch string. 1t still hung outside,
and it was arraged after supper Cor me
to take the stage the balance of the
route, willie my faithful Bill should
be stabbed, fed and curried till called
for.
There Is to me always something
cheering in the notes of stage-horn.
At two o'clock In the morning the
coach rolled up, but on attempting
to enter, one of the sleepy passengers
informed me, rather impatiently,
there was no room inside. We ar
gued the point, but finally clambered
up and took seat with the driver
The clouds had past off and the stars
looked like theirfaces had been wash
ed by the passing shower. So now
we found pleasant employment in
explaining astronomy to Lem, our
clever Jehu. The Great Bear wheel
ing around tho north star displayed
all his proportions and made me feel
more at home, as his position looked
just the same rs in Montgomery
county. Four mettlesome steeds
wheeled Us around the curves, up the
slope and down the slants and just at
four we reached Smithville. Here
my lofty position was exchanged for
seat inside. A passenger muffled
up in one corner entered into con-
versation with me which presently
drew from him the enquiry, "Is not
this brother Gu eyes, that Is my
name" "Well my name Is Dr."
"Good morning General" and with
a warm shake of the hand, we re-
newed old acquaintances. He i'm
sisted at the breakfast stand that he
had just exactly the change for his
bill and mine, aud also made me his
guest on our arrival at Sparta.
This Is grand and charming
country. In less than five miles
there are lnexhaustible coal beds and
my stove Is warm with some of their
contents now. 'ris only six miles
to Bon Air Springs, and ~ for pro-
visions, we have corn, wheat, bacon
and also the finest apples inagina-
BILE. Two or three railroads are on
their way here 10 carry of the coal,
and surplus produce of these rich
coves aud valleys. Surely any man
with health and good conscience
ought to he happy here. Seeing live
Church congregations has impressed
me that the people here are a. intel
| ligent, refined, and moral as any
place in the state.
lNurs truly.
J. W. CuLLoM.