The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-29

after. When his views now are brought
into juxtaposition with those he has ex-
pressed heretofore on the same subject, ard
given to the public, few men will regard
his sudden conversion to greenback policy
as conviction, Dor will the American people
be drawn to him as the proper person to
represent and exemplify an American pol.
icy to assure the interests OF the people and
advance the welfare of the nation.
NINE HOURS IN THE SHADE.-The
picnic given at Fort Defiance on Thursday
last under the auspices OF the NJ. E. Sunday
School, proved to be greater success than
the most sanguine Of the children or partic-
pants dared to imagine. The first train left
the depot promptly at O'Clock, carrying
about four hundred passengers, the young
and popular Super intendent Of the road
himself being on board. and by his eourte-
Gus attention all arrived safely at the s'Fort''
The second train left an hour later, and was
even more crowded than the first, but after
some little delay seats were obtained for all
Gic ldutCo dtlu Studll iulCH; anu tuC Scll-
tlemen with down-cast look took seats
and stands as gracefully as possible on the
platforms and corners of benches, some OF
the smaller boys, with very wise look, suy-
costing that they should be placed in the
backet and lunch department. in order to
make more room for the grown people All
having arrived, the merry pow-wow COM
menced, everybody trying to get over the
grounds and inspect the many arrangements
that had been made. All of the contrivances
and preparations, through the instrumental
ity of the respective committees, had been
perfected with admirable taste and perfect
safety. Croquet during the morning and
evening was striking char acteristic of the
occasion, sets having been placed in al
most every direction, and as for swings
they could be seen extending from many
trees, the most remarkable of them being
quite novel idea, having for its seat large
square box and, from appearances, its ca
pacity being about twelve. Many other
games and sports too great to enumerate had
been and were arranged and devised, and
all from the little merry faced child up to
the grave and sedate looking man, seemed
pleased, happy and delighted. From twelve
to one there was general rush to one Of
the greatest attractions of the day-the
provision car. and the lunch baskets havi ng
been secured, groups could be seen in every
direction partaking of the good things which
had hpen crocia1l v ,,roro vol f,r TN, oo.o,;...
Hospitality knew no bound, for everybody
had at least a half doz en- invitations to
lunch. Shortly after lunch or dim er was
over and the gentlemen acting as dining
room servants by carefully packing up the
dishes and remains, some few of roaming
disposition started out for general tramp
and fortunately arrived by numerous routes
at the celebrated sold Stone Church, and
truly there is no better or more ancient and
yet natural sanctum on the American
continent than this lovely and grand old
place, and every one who visited it had
something to say of its exquisite loneliness
and grandeur, as were they loud also in
their admiration of the unsurpassed scenery
and beautiful surroundings, all with one
voice proclaiming their admiration in
phrases that visitors to less enhancing spots
must seem the veriest hyperbole. Great de-
sire seeming to be entertained by the par
ty entire to even enter the sanctum ITSELF
several OF the party were appointed u COM
mIttce to visit the parsona &c and obtain the
key, and being successful in their effort and
through the gentlemanly urbanity CT young
Mr.. Handy, son Of the late Rev. Mr.. Handy,
for long number of years the much
beloved and highly respected pastor at that
place, then passed i"to tue churcf and ex-
amned everything to their entire satisfac-
ton. Among the numerous attractions of
the innerchurch were two beautiful organs,
and one of them being opened by Mr.. Han
dy, several of the ladies were invited to pla Y
but with one accord thanked him ard say
ing we don't pIay,' but we really think
that they thought the place too holy to be
polluted by their be st effort. The party
then made a general inspection of the
grave yard, and after greater part of in
scription had been read, returned to the
''Fort," but by their admiration only to
make many sens ible of the fact that they
had missed one OF the greatest pleasures o.
the day.
The Stouewall Band was in attendance.
and, indeed added greatly to the general
enjoyment OF the occasion. The general
estimate Of the crowd assembled was put at
from 1000 to 1900. So. we'll was everythin
planned and carried into effect that SIS over
and above all expenses was realized. The
trains left the Fort and were homeward
ound at half past five and six respectively,
and all arrived safely thougha little tired. +