The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-09-11
Rolnnncc Of my Youth.

~ ude uccu man. lNalSf Nh"AA NV
tell how many, since accompanied
my fatheron a journey to Western
Virginia. Travelling had its pleas
ures then, although before the days
IofsteaBl. Gentlemen went on horse
back, with saddle-bags containing q
change Of clothing, orifmore stylish
were followed respectfully by SER
want carrying a portmanteau, or if
more stylish still, rumbled along in
d double gig. II was in the last and
most convenient way that we under
took the journey Of some hundreds
miles. Whatever may be said of
modern Improvements, maintain
thereis nothing more pleasant than
the old fashioned way of travelling
We made 80 orthirty-fye miles day
stopped at rome pleasant little
roadside inn about sundown, had a
chat with thelandlady,a game with
the rosycheeked children, or took
out book and quietly read, while
the neat, busy housewife fried our
chicken, made our biscuit and spread
uncomfortable meal. Then the ear
Ily morning ride through the fresh
air laden with the perfume of the
forest trees. Mind and body were
invigorated. Was anything to be
seen, we could stop at pleasure and
resume the journey without anxiety
lest we lose the train, | like well to
get quickly to a long journeys end
when have urgent business, but for
recreation or health give me the old
day by day jogging on without care
or fear. Thus my father and | went
on,
One day l saw a faint blue streak
on the horizon.
"Ohl father, what is that, SO beat
tiful?2 exclaimed l.
at is the Blue Ridge, my son; we
will sleep ut its foot to night"
The nearer weapproachtd the more
beautiful did it appear Idefy any.
one to look upon those grand old
mountains without his heart rising
upinvoluntarily in adoratiop of the
Maker of all things. The next NOR
ming we rose before the dawn and
slowly climbed the mountain height.
when we reached the top and turn
ed to look upon the scene below, what
q prospect was presented to our view.
The rising sun threw a golden haze
over forest, flood, and cultivated
field" giving to il an almost heaven
ly hue. Our excited feelings could
only be shown by expressive silence.
i've descended into the valley Of Yir-
ginia, My father concluded to turn
aside from his nain routeto visitan
lold fgiendian college mate whom he
mad not seen for years,
aG think you viii enjoy the visit"
said be to me. 81 believe he has
children about your age"
We slowly dragged up hill and
down, Upon turning sharp around
the foot Of one which rose almost
perpendicularly in front of us, we
came upon one of the most beautiful
views | ever beheld. But | gazed
not upon the prospect; my eyes were
fixed upon the most beautiful object
| l had ever seen. 1t was a female fig
ure standing on a ledge of rocks on
the hillside, and
Ne'er did Grecian chisel clrate
a nymph, nNiud, or grace,
OF finer form or faircr face
In one hand she held a basket of
wild flowers, with the other she was
slowly waving her straw hat, thus
-disheveling her hair, which glanced
like sunheams around her sweet face.
We had but n moment to look at this
apparition for it disappeared behind
a clump of cedars.
at is a fairy, Father whispered |.
"No only a pretty piece Of flesh and
blood, quietly returned the old man."
surely nothing mortal can be so beau
tifnl,' insisted |. He only smiled,
saying, "we shall see; Isuspectshe is
the Colonel's daughter" We rode
on in silence, thinking Of every
beautiful woman had ever read of.
| was full of my classics. They
brought before me u dream Of Fair
| Woman" Minervat-No, too deli
cate for her Diana, no too gentle
Venus, no, too pure-Cleopatra--oh!
no, l would not name them together.
Ny meditation was cut short by our
driving up to Col. Smiths gate and
my Father telling me to jump out
and open it. What prosaic termi-
nation to my romantic reyery. We
were cordially received and at once
nude to feel we were in the home Of
friend. We were Immediately
shown to our rooms that we might
get rid of our travel stains before be-
ling presented to the assembled fami-
Ily. ] must admit brushed my hair
a little more assiduously and tied
my cravat more carefully than was
my wont, yet did not feel satisfied
with myself, although must plead
! guilty to n little personal vanity
On entering the parlor l was intro.
ducod to pretty girls, but in vain my
eyes searched the room for the lovely
vision | had seen on the mountain
side A deep feeling of disappoint-