Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-09-25
JEFFERSON COUNTY.

ROSE Hill, JEFFERSON COUNTY, w. VA.
September 9, 1875.
10 travel on a train of railway cars
implies not only the presence of the
motive power, but of conductor; so as
prelude to few notes upon a pleas
ing section Of country, it is well to men,
ton that Mr.. Josh. Hamill, of the B.
and o. railroad, did the honors of the
train for us in most graceful manner,
proving that he belongs to that affable
family OF Hamills so noted in these
parts for their many courtesies.
After most delightful trip along the
banks OF the Potomac, viewing the
grand scenery on each side, passing the
noted Harper's Ferry, we disem6arked
at Kerneysville, flourishing little sta
ton and village, consisting OF cnurch:
a dwelling house, and store, win
smiling clerk, above which-the store
not the clerks an establishment where
boots and shoes are sold and resoled.
The aforesaid "we" alludes to our
correspondent and TWO other beautiful
vounr damsels of respectively the ages
of 2O and Is, and of avoirdupois l3l
and 15S pounds, whom we will name
Nav and June, but whom the angels
pamed-well, never mind that.
We were greeted by neighbor Strl-
der, our host, true type Of Virglnlas
noblest sons, with look of hospitality
beamirg in every feature and words Of
welcome on his lips.
After travelling few miles over one
of the smoothest roads in this section
which is the toughest, by the way, we
ever moved over or even read about
an idea of which may be formed when
it is nearly as bad as some of the streets
of Washington that have been paved
with wood in their present condition
we arrived at Rose Hill, an estate and
homestead unequalled for its command
ing position by any spot in the Shenan-
doah Valley. Here we were welcomed
by the thrifty and motherly Madam
Strider, and all the little Striders, who
looked upon US with glee and amaze
ment as real live people from the city.
They took fancy TO US immediately
children always do and in this partic-
ular fancy grew to fondness and fond
ness to devotion, till the youngest gave
vent to his feelings by exclaiming
"Mama, is at man cwazy?" 1t was evil
dent that the child could not appreciate
real wit.
Being settled, we contemplated the
situation and gazed upon one of those
beautiful natural pictures so often paint
ed by fancy, sung about by poets, been
the theme of college essayists, touched
at by the pen of initerant Journalists,
and reflected lpon perambulating WELD
ers of the brush. o. H., breathe here.
Nav and June, bless them, put their
heaps together to attempt description,
but their brightness obscured the tar-otf
scene, aud that idea fell through. Not
far distant from CharlestOwn, Martins
burg, Shepherdstown. Leetown, and
Duffields, the places were easily accessi-
bic. The points Of the compass can be
taken in at a glance as far as the eye
can reach.
Far out-ten miles-eXtends one OF
the high walls of the valley, the North
mountain, a range towering high and
whose submits seem to kiss the skies.
In the foreground are hills-some COW
cred with verdure, some cleared for
cultivation aud sequestered spots
groves and glens, with here and there
a farm which gives activity and life to
the scene. And there, from north to
south, run the waters of the beautiful
little Opequon creek, which rises from
springs from Winchester and finds its
way along well-shaded banks to the 70
tomac, distance of nearly fifty miles
At many places the boughs and leaves
OF the trees on opposite sides mingle
and form an arch of verdant beauty
above-iust such a spot where fairies
might delight to dwell, as indeed
CANCELS often pausing there,
Doubti if Eden were more fair ;"
Flowing by the green wayside, bear
ing tribute to the river, it turns here
and there a mill, and in its endowed
generosity does good to both man and
beast; never weary in well-dolng, but
murmurs along, saying:
chatter, chatter as flow
To Join the trimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But go on forever"
"Breathes there a man" who would
not grow sentimental in such a place,
where Nature holds her court and sum-
mons around her all that tends TO beauti-
fy and adorn the shrine! We, having
souls for such, fell under the charm and
became enthusiastic devotees.
Neighbor Strider and his good lady
took care to announce us, which caused
the natives to extend many courteSies,
and indeed many latch was pushed at
us to have us lift it. ''Lift the latch" is
Virginlas motto, if history does not fall
short of the truth. We found the
"string outside" at Fairview, beautiful
homestead in the valley, owned and pre-
sided over by Mr.. and Mrs David T,
Jones in a graceful home like style.
We "pulled the string" at the Oaks, a
delightful spot, the residence of Justice
Meredith Helm, one ofthe +. F.'s where
we were cordially received and wei
coined. An interesting feature of this
place is that numbers of squirrels from
the woods call each day at regular
time to boxes placed upon the large
oaks in the surrounding yard, and with
IL L 80 ~, al- h1t