Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-08-30
For the Yindicator
Waynesboro' as q Summer Re-
sort.

There are few to whom the advantages
and pleasures of summer residence in
Waynesboro' are known, but those few are
adding others to their ranks each returning
season. It is pleasant village situated on
the South Branch Of the Shenandoah about
II miles East Of Staunton and 1924 miles
from Richmond. Previous to the war it
was in much better repair, but like other
Southern towns and villages has suffered
from the hand of the destroyer. Although
Waynesboro' is quiet place, Bruce House,
the principal hotel, has always select nun.
Der Of visitors, who come thither to enioy
the bracing mountain air and beautiful
scenery, and are always in the best spirits
to enjoy the excursions to any of the natu-
raj beauties to be found within Is or 20
miles. Our expeditions are always encour-
aged by our kind hostess in the Most sub.
stantiaI manner, viz: providing us with
most bountiful lunch of all that could tempt
the appetite of hungry mortals. This morn
ing our little party Of 9, matronized bv Mrs.
H., OF Montgomery Ala start for Hump
Back" m mountain which is 10 miles from W.
by way Of Mountain Top House," beau
tiful ride, much to be enjoyed, even if there
was no more exquisite scenery to reward US
for our journey. The ambulance held the
ladies and two Of the gentlemen, the other
two showing to great advantage on horse
back. In pleasant conversation and merry
laughter the time passed rapidly by until
we were some distance on our way, when
there was break about the wagon and it
was thought better we should rest in the
shade while the gentlemen patched together
the broken member In the arrangement
Of shawls &C., upon the ground for our con-
venience Mr.. Frank A., with accustomed
gallantry, took prominent part. This lit
| tie delay had no effect on the merriment Of
| the party but was rather looked upon as
little sprinkle of romance to be enjoyed &C.
cordingly. 1t was not long, however, be.
fore we were enabled to proceed. A slight
shower refreshed the earth and cooled the
atmosphere very much, and, almost before
we were aware of it, we had reached our
| place of destination, at least as far as could
be gone in vehicles The somewhat steep
ascent was made on foot, Mr. Frank A.
leading the way with Miss j. W., follow.
ing was Mr.. Tom B with Miss G. G. one
Of Richmond's fair daughters, Immediately
behind them came DR.. VIM G.. escorting
Miss G.. S., Of BALTIC, Mr.. Hol. A. bring.
ing up the rear with Miss G.. w. of Rich.
mond, who With her sister before mention
ed formed two Of the most attractive fea.
lures in the days enjoyment By some
change in the procession Mr.. Hol A. and
Mr.. u. W. headed the party and soon we
were warned by the screams of Miss G., W.
Of the approach of the much dreaded rattle
snake, witch was soon despatched by the
gentlemen, the a rattles presented to Miss
| G.. as the first discovercr and then few
steps brought us to the Top of the mountain
Although persons are apt toegive full range
to their Imagination when description is
given they are not likely to over-rate the
grandeur Of the scene which bursts upon
them. "Hump Back proper is large
rock projecting from the top of the Blue
Ridge; the surface being roug h and shaggy,
reminding one of shingles on roof, only
Of course much larger and less regular
The main portion of the rock will hold about
Is persons without crowding, beside which
there are lodges projecting from it which hold
or persons The size of the rock NAV
be imagined. We have an unobstructed
view Of the country for about 100 miles
around. but it would require more eloquence
than we have at our command in q descrip-
ton of scenery to depict its beauties. Upon
some of the towns rain was falling, upon
others heavy clouds were resting, aud on
others still the sun was shining BRIGHTLY
With the aid Of our field glass we could dis.
tinguish several of the public buildings in
Stanton and ether PLACES. The sun was
shining with all the force of MONDAY and
yet so delightful was the breeze as to pre-.
vent our suffering from heat After spend
ing 2 or hours there we cut our names
upon the rock and turned very reluctantly
to retrace our steps. After leaving "uumr
Back" Mr. Tom B. with characteristic
thoughtfulness managed to procure from a
neighboring dairy bountiful supply of both
sweet and butter milk, the latter meeting
with warm reception, if we may Judge
from the eager manner in which Miss J W.
seized and drank several gourds full. with
a heartiness that was truly refreshing. I
need not describe our lunrhing for all know
the charms that surround the plainest food
when hunger has done its work, and ours
was all that thoughtful heart could sug.
gest on short notice. AT last we we're seat.
ed in the ambulance homeward bound -
Mr.. Frank A. having taken Miss G.. WIS
place in the ambulance, and she riding his
horse. Miss G.. labored under some disad.
vantages in not having a ladies saddle or
riding habit, but with such an escort as Mr..
Hoi. A. all fear vanished, her natural grace
and ease coming to assistance, rendered her
position less formidal lie than it would have
been for many. Our ride home was no less
pleasant than it had been in the morning.
One OF the party entertained us by singing
some 'darkie SONGS" which excited great
deal of merriment, the clear ringing laugh
of Miss J. W. being heard above all others,
and rather acting as an inspiration to furth-
er effort AS the moon rose in all its ma
jestic beauty, sweeter, gentler feeling stole
upon us, softening our melodies into some
thing more in harmony with the time and
scene. At last we are once more in Waynes-
boro' and are before the hospitable doors of
Bruce House. We have not been forgot
ten although the hour is late our kind host
ess has delightful supper awaiting us,
which we will not tarry to describe, but
those who have any anxiety to know how
much we enjoyed it may come with great
safety and try for themselves. Thus closes
the day but it does not stand alone in our
remembrance of pleasures past, but is one of
the many links in the golden chain which
binds our hearts to Waynesboro' and Bruce