Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-05-13
CAPITAL UNDERToNEs.
WAsnINarox. TnesdaY. May

WASHINGTON, iueSQay, May ..
DEAR Free Pass: At last everyone is off
for the Centennial, and something of blessed
peace, which promises to be protracted one,
is about settling down upon us. From the
open window Of my lonesome little den can
hear, now, the long excursion trains, freighted
with American humanity all devolred 10y A.
merican curiosity, madly rounding the curve
at Virginia avenue aud setting out with en-
gines puliiag as though they would burst their
iron belies,) for the present Mecca Of our peo-
pie Philadelphia. 1t has been raining hard,
off aud on, since last night, and the skies are
still beclouded. There is in this fact for the
envious stav-at-homes, some degree of comfort,
for we may he sure that the torrents which
fell here last evening were not local in their
character, but that the Quaker City is, ere
now. perhaps, being treated to some inclement
weather. Aud yet, what will dampen the ar
dor-the centennial ard0r-of q sightseeing
Yankee Well, a severe drenching might
have done so. perhaps: but lol-with an eye,
scarcely Quakerish in its simplicity and well
set on the main chlnce-Philadelp hia has set
aside her prohibition laws, until this jubila
ton is over and where whiskey flows freely,
dlmpeued ardor is moral impossibility.-
With the Executive, the Cabinet and the Con-
gress-they all went out to-day-iollowed the
usual train of bummerS, deadbeats aud full
delegation from our light-fngered gentry. SO,
for time, the city is pursed Of its floating
population and feels blessed. Would that the
celebrated gossips of a certain section Of this
Gne old metropolis had packed up and left,
too or may they yet do so ?
THE APPROACH OF SUMNER.
Softly has it dawned upon US. By SLOW yet
sure degrees the gentle goddess has made her
way across our tree planted stress, our public
reservations aud our private gardens. And
now. every little nook wherein might grow the
tiny blade Of grass, boasts its Summer symbol.
The parks, of which speak, are now perhaps
seen at their best Within their ample acres
everything is green. No scorching suu-rayS
have withered the teeming yerdUre while eve-
~ paut aud shrub and bush aud tree has put
/ forth each, its most euliciug blossom; so Gu
/ ticing, indeed, as 10 prove terrible tempta-
I ton for brown-haired lasSics, wandering al
will adowu the paths, and whose tiny feet
want some grass rs much as their hands
/ coyet Dame Natures flowers. But, alas the
suspicious old keeper follows, watchlully, the
would be fair iufriugcr Of his garden rules
and nv lady swecty pouts, and looks uuutteT-
able things behind her Well, there is COM
pensation for all things, even the surveillance
! of crusty, testy Waterman. In one Of these
green retreats in mil-city there is a place
the word spot occurred to me. but who ever
saw a spot five hundred feet or more long p
simply beautiful in its location and surround
ings. \ lengthy, narrow path stretching aiar
from either end. Let us enter from the South
ern point. t is paved in durable material,
and wi udS its graceful course beneath archlnS
foliage, whose density screens its hdjHUe from
even an August midday heat. On either SIDE,
at intervals are rustic seats arranged, and bOr-
deTing on smiling meadOwS-great seas OF wa
wing grasses aud buttercups aud-Clover. As
we turn into the last curve Of this cool aid
fragrant path. aud note the long, straight
sweep Of its finish, grand picture lies, in
the distance. before us. IL is lofty ediiice OF
gothic architecture, whose towers pierce the
skies. The long and arched windows reflect,
in their stained glass settings, the dying gIo-
ries Of a descending suu aud as, soon after, the
broad white moon rolls up into the sky, her
silver rays tiuge, gently, the turretS Of my cas-
tie = Do speak in cnigmas 1t is that you,
dear reader, especially dear if you be fair
I shall eul1y the pleasure OF yourSeil discovering
this sylvan paraliSe-if ere it haps You come
to Washington. But, for this week, must
really say
VALE
Across from my Window rear one, by the
way-aud in garden where only bricks are
blooming tthey re bluShing red there sits a
s,aid old African. The SHOWS of forty win
tiers. probably, have rested on his head, and
yet he sits as TRANQUILITY as-he used to do last
Summer, rendering sublime airs upon vince
~. cracked old accordion. | see him now
over there, ,'tis only a stones throw from
where I writel seated on a dilapidated coal
s,uttle turned upside down, rocking his body
70 and fro as he pulls at, and congresses, the
vile instrument whence emauates 10 dulefu'
tones that sickeniug ballad" Where are the
friends of my youth aud echo answer,
IghGe
The sweetly mournful tones, OF my colored
neighbours charming music bag, have the same
effect upon me that would bundle Of onions
held near my intellectual couuteuauce. Hence
these tears.
JEAN SANDS.