Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-25
OUR SUMNER RESORTS.
A VISIT TO ORKNEY SPRINGS.
ORKNEY SPRINGS, VA. August

De taken than that which runs through the
beautiful valley of the Shenandoah; no fairer
specimen of the grand panoramic scenery OF
the state than lies in this section can be seen.
Soon after leaving Washington the blue h I'LL !
appear on either side with every feature o.
rich valley land between. The Potomac,
with an call quiet" aspect along its borders,
hows peacefully alongside the matter Of fact
canal, the beauty or the one and homely
usefulness OF the other in strong contrast.
The railroad skirts the canal Tor some dis
lance, and passengers whose attention mas
been Claimed by beautiful surroundings are
suddenly called TO note the miserable phases
Of existence on canal boats-the thin, sun
bonIeted women hanging out a ragged wash
or pre- pairing meals, the dirty, gaping chill reu
ana the Gnfailing cur that barks so frantical-
~ at The train. The valley narrows, the mDuu-
tains are loftter and closer when the train
rushes up TO
HARPER's FERRY.
With that delightful sense OF quiet that
comes when the iron horse is suddealy
checked the place appears doubly pictur-
esque and charming. This "vale on whose
bosom the bright waters meet" with its
wooded mountain slopes, sparkling rivers
and narrow limited confines, has q bold
rugged beauty that Is not Is widely eppreci-
ated as II deserves to be. Virgnians, to be sure,
are very proud of 1t, but many other spots
with not halftts beauty, are much more wide.
~ known and quoted. The city Is built on
hill, with irregular houses one above anothsr
brick church has strangely transatlau tic
aspect, like that of village of Continent TAI
Europe, and one instinctively looks around
for some peasantry in keeping with general
appearances.
BEYOND WINCHESTER
only an occasional brick chimney standing
solitary and alone, gives evidence that aught
but smiling peace has ever visited the val
ley. The bright sunlight of a centennial
summer falls upon poisoning meadow
land and quiet roadways. Along the turn
pike where Sheridan made his famous ride
comes an old farmer on horseback. A dirty
army blanket, evidently in the last stages OF
Its existencs, Is folded under wooden n con-
federate saddle, from all sides of which de-
pend plump Virginia chickens. Tse thirteen
miles stage ride from Mt. Jackson to Ork-
ney runs through a fine tract of coIntry, in
which only energy and enterprise are W ant
Ing TO make 1t blossom like a garden. the
the stages might os Improved upon. Aoput
3 O'Clock IL the evening, when the baud Is
play ing, and
ALL ORKNEY OUT ON THE PIAzzAs
for look, the stage arrives "What cnser-
full, friendly looking placer is the first i'm
preston OF the three hotels connectet by
bridges, the h0melike l tile cottages, the
pleasant grounds and beautiful surrou i'd
ings of Orkney. Two of the hotels have APP
peIently been built some time, but the new
Virginia House and the cottages erected
later are Is yet untouched by painters
brush. When that item is attended TO, snd
the grounds. naturally fine, q little improved,
Orkney will appear to far greater advan:
tage. Everything about the place Is well
kept, and cieanIy. The walks through the
grounds are shaded, and quite feature are
the long stretches OF breezy piazEa.s so COO! on
warm afternoons, so convenient for pro ne
made on rainy days, and so delightfully."-
charming on moonlight nights. II is natural
TO suppose that
THE SPRING WATER
is the most important item here, and yet 1t
To hn fl,nv
ton with most OF the guests. IL is rare
regularity either as regards quantity ur
time, though many have great faith III tle
efficiency OF the waters. IL Is rem arg ple
how many various springs there are here
within small circuit. The one nearest Loe
hotels and most com monty used Is the q 40
Wallow. This water Is cool and not as
agreeable TO taste. II in the tradition .ry
record OF the spring they only gave you me
slight poetical idea, something like tn a. IN
Bryants "StOry OF the Fountain" o. lac
bears coming there IN the high noon at a
mid-summers day to siake their thirst :.
there would be some interest TO IL, bus ,nts
miserably matter-of fact story of sick b-slrs'
wallowing there Is distressing. A little
further on is q chalybeate aud several SUI
phur springs. BY one Of the latter is pl1c I'd
a stone with the date OF 1877 inscribed upon
II relating that a certain individual had
then "tryde" the water. A poisonous spuing
in which neither fish nor frog can live nd g
healing spring are con veniently side b. side.
Still further on IL an alum spring where 10
a hotel and some little settlement. The
water here like some OF Germany's famous
springs trickled down through perforated
rock. What beautiful country this will
all these springs, when walks, drives and
rich garden cultivation extend all over this
section as do they at springs OF no greater
The most enjoyable amusement here is
THE HORSEBACK RIDING.
"Over the hills and far away" there is many
dainty little bit OF rural scenery that
neither walks nor drives can reach, and
many tints along the purple ridge OF hills
when the glow of parting day rests upon
them that is doubly enjoyed on horseback.
Through the pine woods and across the rlsh
ing broOklets OF the mountains fine scenery
never fails, though the roads be rough, and
between here and Mount Jackson lies thir-
teen miles OF capital turnpike for spirited
riding. Orkney this season has been most
patrOnized by Baltimoreans, although Wash
tDgton, too, Is fairly reprepresented among
Its guests. During the month there has been
eEvERAL LITTLE EXCITEMENTs
In the shape Of fairs, phantom balls, enter
tainmeEts, &c. Last week there was q tour
nament, in no respect grand or remarkable,
but very graceful and neat little entertain
ment. There were about dozen knights,
who, no doubt, were better skilled in chival-
rous gallantry than fine horsem anship; at
any rate, there was not that evidence OF the
latter one would NATURAL look for at tour
namenL. Inc race course was cottage ave.
nue., and there were five rounds. When the
gallant horsemen drew up in line facing the
judges, one of the guests turned orator of the
day and delivered an appropriate speech, the
most spirited thing OF the whole affair. 1t
touched upon horsemanEhip In general from
the time OF the Centaurs, but the main senti-
ment OF 1t was the deeds of chivalrous knight
hood and the devotion Of brave men to fair
women from time tmmemorial. 1t was
A PICTURE FOR THE STAGE PASSENGERS
as they come up the road-the crowds of
spectators on the bridge and piazzas, the
colored servants perched up on the white
washed fences like blackbirds, causing all
the horses TO shy; the gayly attired knight,
who at O signal from the band came dashinG
madly up the road, fitting the lance, and q
q background to 1t all the wooded mountain
slopes Of "Ole Virginny."
FALL TOUCHES.
Already there is fall-like freshness In the
air. To-day the thermometer ranges In the
sixties, and the roaring wood fires In some
of the rooms are CHEEKY and comfortable. In
the morning everybody runs around with
wraps Rugged about them, shfvering 1t the
cbilfiness; but as the day advances the brac-
ing air and cloudless skies make walking
"A Az oaDocfallv the lOv0rl rfch