Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-01-20
MISCELLAAE0US.
For the Spirit of Jefie-son.l
A LEGEND OF TIE SHENANDOAH.
BY CECILE NrcvEIGu.


One August afternoon. in 1867. rs the train
was laundering through the Alleghanv nouns
tsius. shril whistle was heard from the from.
and almost Simultaneously we found ourselves
thrown from our seats, and jostled in q most
uncomfortable manner. In our intense ex>
citement we thought there had been an entire
''smash m" but upon extricatiug ourselves
we found but lttle damage done except to the
train, which, IN rolling down small embank,
ment, was somewhat disabled The engine
was rerlaced and dispatched for coaches to
convey the passengers onward, who were i'm
patieut, indeed. at their DELAY
rs my friend and l we're simply on sight
seeing expedition. wo rather congrarulated
ourselves upon having the opportunity Of
taking more extensive view Of this wild and
picturesque region. aud we decided TO stroll
on to the next station and await train there.
We we're bo'h unsccustomed torugged scenery.
and CaZrd with wondering eyes a. the lofty
peaks, the wonderful works of Natures
glorious God.
In our course, miniature Niagara would
sometimes attract us, while again, little
Miuuehaba you'd WOO Us with her rinrling
laughter, uutil. at length we were ohliyious
of every previous intention and were under
cnchnntmcut'S spell
''Csn it be almost night ?" asked nv friend
looking somewhat alarlund
tnon glaucing upwari. Immediately com
prehended our situation. X heavy storm
cloud Wa above US anl tie deem toned
thunder warned us ni approaching danger.
There Was no Tin for DELAY 50 we urged
our wav onward wjlh hrcahlc,s speed
At last the storm became more and more
violent. The wind, tornado like. was send
ing the mighty pine from the summit to the
very base of the n0uutrin and the lightning
sccmed rcuairg the rocks asundcr.
The earth seemed wrapped in S:ygiau dark
moss aud the rain seemed heavy enough To
drive Us into the carth. As We wore almost
hoDcIes~iy gr7niug our way around = mounfain
side, vivid fash of lightning displayed tn
cur Vicw an immense rock projecting Just
ahoVers. Thiaking it would afford IL shelter.
ne a-cen6cl TO it, when suddenly there
g'eaued ont ralo light from within what
seemed n cavern.
Our fear hu4 rendered us desperate, 50 We
Determined TO enter and discover wha; was
there" for it had seemed 20 Us that 80 human
foot hrd ere trud this soil
Alter cropping inward several wards the
light grow moro distinct, md 1T length the
object of our search was found. We stood
o""zsd There indeed was human being
living under the earth, with no other soul
naar. sud his ouiy coufoTts bed of leaves
sud his game for food.
When we eutared, he was seated on an old
log, and arose with p Wild look We assumed
cnmro-ed aud friendly air aud told him our
condition Tie truth carrias weight with it
and seemed so impress the old man Are
you "irv ucn :" sid Ic We told him. no
...-l /
night and ! will divide my rude shelter and
scnrty morsol with You"
Though bordering on a century of years
and clothed in the dried skins Of animals. we
saw there had been days in his life when his
nature was &c tender as ours so we resolved
to know his strange history
After msuv circuitous intcrrogationz. he
seemed inclined TO crafty our curiosity. At
length he began "'To y"u who love the
world. it scems strange that I should choose
to live thus Wy story j. sad. but listen -
He seemed st;fei with emotion for few mo-
monts, but resumed again 10 a weak voice.
while the tears fo1ed fast down his rale.
wrinE led cheek. Il was no, always lonely,
as You see ne now | had "a HAPPY, valley
home. by the beautiful, cgsr Shenandoah.
My wife and | were blessed with only one
chiid-a lovely daughter Our ncighbor's
son loved her from hcT cradle and married
her whom she was scarcely grown. She. too.
mad daughter when death took her and left
the bahc,-liftle Amy Randolph was her
name. : terrible tever came and swept of
NY wife. Aoly's father, and leftus two alone.
Bot did n"r question Gods right to take
them to Himself; 90 l said in my heart, Thy
will he done
Little Amy grew dearor every day
When I worked in my garden she was there.
and when I went to the river 70 catch f-h her
little hook wen, in bv mine. Stranger wonid
come TO this beautiful river in summer. aud
they all noticed The child and called her "a
resi- beauty Years passed On and Amy was
tall woman but innocent. and sweet as baby
Amy was.
''One simmer day, We saw some strangers
come in a little boat. They stretched tent
near our cabin and said they had come from
the city To keep cool and sport One Of them
was very handsome. and . kind good fellow
he seemed TO. Tie would often take Amy
out IN . Little skfT and she always looked
happier for days afterwards She would often
tell the many beautiful stories he had told her
Of the city; and she told me he. cslIz.In~S
his .Iilv~.E rirj-5EI, = - .
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