Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-09-26
For the Register.
EAST VIRGINIA.

Mr.. Editor-After an absence of some
months from your county, | still have
the pleasure of thinking OF my visit to
il. ole which abounded with interest
aud pleasure to me, and by the earnest
request of friend send you a little
description Of it. | visited Charlestown,
which is a neat and lovely little town,
said to be increasing in size. The So
ciety is fine and the country environing
both fertile, healthy and beautiful.
love fine scenery and especially such as
Jefferson affords, and that around Har-
per's Ferry which place l also visited is
lovely beyond description. Well might
Thomas Jefferson, the great Virginia
statesman, be enthusiastic III praise OF
it, and not exaggerated as hestood upon
the rock Tasting reminder OF his
greatness" and observed, "thal 1t was
worth more than trip across the AT
lantic to take view OF the scenery
around it." So grand, so wild and TO,
mantle it is. The rivers Potomac aud
Shenandoah hurrying on to meet al
their junction, through the mountains
between the Maryland and Lo"dou"
heights, which reach 4 height OF more
than 1000 feet, so steep and ruS@''''e
most daring and reckless huil,S'iiH'i u
the forest, would wonder and be deter
rcd even from the thought OF ascent.
From these mountains had sight of
the little white cottages, dotted in and
ont Of the branches of trees, low down
mon the edge Of the Potomac along
the side of the mountain. On the OPP
posite side the tall steeple of the Catho-
lie church all of which but family re-
sembling the much taller heights OF the
surrounding mountains, so pleasant to
gaze upon as you listen to the ripping
music of water over the dark slate rock,
and the tinkling of the COW bell away
in the distant mountain. Down the
Shenandoah road iii exposed positions
ON be seen the march Of the ruin and
desolation caused by the late flood, we
look with pleasure upon taneiiul new
cottages and villas, with their gardens
of fruits and flowers; but nothing ever
touches the heart 80 much as anything
that bears the traces of time, and storms
and changes. There the lone chlmneys,
piles Of rocks and logs, and grim sides
oil walls Of brick and mortar. | thought
OF the families who gathered lang syne
around those family hearthstones, low
ing circle, then unable to bear the sew
GRANGE OF all old ties, and witness the
deSolatiun of their homes, turned their
hearts away. Some to distant States,
some scattered far and wide. All this
dear world with all its brightness, good
friends aud social pleasures, is an unsat-
iSfying place to the tender heart and
thinking mind.
From the porch of friends house
whose hospitality ENJOYED, could see
the sunrise upon the top Of the noun
tain. sight most beautiful aud sublime
Slowly slowly it. rays came; like A veil
upon the mountain. Then the sun
higher and higher rejecting back its
angry rays rs ii it was with all nature
or at least to remind us Of the greatness,
beucvolence and power OF our great
Creator, aud our own feeble efforts war
ring amongst ourselves. IIarpcrs Fer
nv sbonnds with historic interest. There
the tc,riUIe John Brown commenced
his awful raid and in that one act, ali
that We have ever heard of or read OF
in other lands. Ia the past or present
all that we ever dreamed of OF imagn-
ed seemed unsurpassed in the hoFrId
enactug of our once most favored and
happy land Surely all those who were
iosiiGators of so much hornI unhappi-
ness deserve and will meet 0ith dire
retibu,ion. OF the numberless impor-
tant and thinking events OF our late
war. which call up 50 many sad rccoI-
lections. we will only think Of and re-
gret
DO not profess to know right from
wrong from all the derlorable troubles
of our distracted country, but this | do
know. that il is natural all my impul-
siveness and enthusiasm is for the sun
nv South. and the dear old State Of my
lamentcd father
# was pleasant and encouraging to
see so little Of the bitterness of sectional
feeling. hope all feelings OF personal
hatred are dying out. Let US endeavor
to be good, do good, love, mercy to all,
lumbly aud iorcgo revenge, and ear
ncstv hope that all the clouds which
shadow our present life, may serve to
brighten the future and that we may be
of the good
"Who are better made by Ill
As odo,s crushed are sweeter stili.'
for at last each party must in order to
have sweet peace concede some interest
some pride and some prejudice.