Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-02-03
COMMUNICATED.
DANvILLE, Va,
Jan. %, 1877.

Dear Register-How welcome are
your weekly visits to me, and what de-
light the perusal of your pages affords,
none can tell bat those who are similar
ly situated, far away from home and
friends.
With what delightful anticipations
do l look for your coming, and with
what a smile of welcome do | greet you;
but what blank disappointment might
you see depicted on my countenance
when you fail to come to hand even for
single week, when am disposed to
blame postmaster, newsboy, indeed ev-
erybody, for your non appearance, ex
cept your own dear self, who, | feel
very confident, was started on your
journey TO my southern home, and It's
only then that l know how much | ap-
preciate, how much l really value you.
Two decades have passed since | left
my native home. During that period
what changes have taken place in old
Shepherdstown, many sad, many de-
lightlul ones, l suppose. How often
after perusing your columns am left
in sort of reverie, when names, scenes,
and incidents of my girlhood's days
come back to the, when seem to live
over again many Of those days: when |
find myself standing upon the banks of
the Potomac, looking out upon her gen.
tly gliding waters, or sailing across her
smooth surface in little skitf, as | have
done many times in days of yore, or
perhaps, clambering Ger her grand aud
towering cliffs, (more beautiful than any
thing of the kind that l have ever seen
since left my native home) with some
dear friend.
All how many pleasant recolec-
tions and associations are connected
with the thoughts Of those beautiful old
cliffs. How many VOWS have there been
plighted, many perhaps to be broken;
how many lovers and friends have there
together sat, and from their lofty heights
watched the rolling of the beautiful
stream in its onward march TO the sea.
As write / have but to cast my eye
from my chamber window to behold
| what is here termed "the beautiful, the
grand old Dan," as it rolls and roars,
from the swellings caused by the recent
heavy rains and SHOWS, its swift current
taking in everything that comes in its
way, but this even is not to be compar-
ed to our own historic Potomac.
But these thoughts suggest another,
It's this-where are those with whom
we enjoyed many of the scenes of days
long gone by Alas Alas In glanc-
ing over your obituary columns from
week TO week during all these long
wears, we are reminded that one after
another of those that ! knew in early
life, have passed to the spirit-land; |
have noticed that most Of your old in
habitants have passed away, and your
local column remind me that those who
were mere children then, have taken
their places, and are now acting upon
lifes great drama. And | have noticed
too, that time in its many changes has
removed many, farther perhaps from the
scenes referred to than myself. Thus it
is: ever restless, ever changing mortals
that we are | imagine were l to visit
Shepherdstown again, 'twould be but
here and there that | would see face
that l would at all recognize.
And now, dear Register, perhaps you
are ready to inquire of the writer, how
is time dealing with you, old friend &? |
answer, time is dealing quite gently
with me and mine That although sor-
rows, even death, have invaded our
home and fresile, trials and bitter dis
appointments have seemed to meet us
on every hand it might be much
worse with US than it is. We have much
yet to be thankful for, and are striving
TO be submissive to our Heavenly Faith
er's will, believing that He knows what
is best for us, that He will mark out our
path and direct our steps through life,
and though He may have to lead us
through winding and meandering paths,
He will at last bring us to the sure foun-
tain of love.
/ should like to talk with you, dear
Register, of many more things in con-
nectiou with my old home-of your
College, railroad, &c, but l fear that 1
have already tresspassed upon too much
OF your valuable space, which, no doubt,
ought to be devoted to more important
things, so for the present | lid you
adieu. More anon. PARRAN.
SUCCESS OF HAMPToN's GOVERNMENT.
CoIrD,bia (S CN 1iSnotch crotas