Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-08-17
Letter from Berkeley.

HEDGEsvILLE, August y, 1873.
Ne. GhELAHEs: IL was my very great
pleasure TO spend few days in CharlestOwn
last week after an absence Of four months, aud
/ can say that my stay, though brief, was a
most pleasurabIe one. 1t WAS on the occasion
of the 2nd Quarterly Meeting Of the NJ. E.
Church. South, Dr. Head, p. E. being present,
and to hear the precious word in the Old Sane
tuary and meet with the dear Christian people
/ there, with whom for ten years had met IN
sweet fellowship; was a green spot IN ones
hie, - a thing of beauty, JOY forever"
1t is the good book that gives Us the aphO-
riSm, Iron sharpeueth iron; SO a man sharp
eueth the countenance of his friend" And
| how many friendly faces did meet, whose ge-
rhal sngile aud hearty greeting were to the
spirit most refreshing. like the cooling draUght
TO the Thirsty traveller. Among the legal fra
terniy Messrs Hunter, Travers, Moore aud
Wilson, as of yore gentlemanly and genial
Among the mercantile corps Rod lex, Hughes,
Kearsey aud Taylor, polite, aitable and obls-
| ing My friend, Gustav Brown, his face
beamiag with good nature, 1Oing up the grace
| lul in his elegantly improved store; on the
score Of old acquaintance pressing upon NE a
saucer piled up with delicious ice-cream-ne
Plus ultra To use a Zittleism, Long may be
wave" A speck of business with the Bank OF
Charlestown brought me in contact with its
gentemany officers, Col. Porterfeld and his
worthy son, who possess and sLew SO happily
the SUdrjtcr IN modo.
! Leaving this quiet town at II NJ by 2 PM.
| am at CharleStOwn by Railroad aud what a
change? A new world bursts upon you. You
seemed to have emerged from the Country TO
the City from a quiet death like stiffness to
the busy hum Of trade aud traffic And stand
ing on Court-House Square and looking up
Main street, saw more Wagons, carriages,
horses and people in one afternoon than have
seen in four months past. Charlestown never
before appeared to me so imbued with Thrift
and progress. The building improvements Oh
Main street are marked aud imposing, aud be-
tUSene spirit Of enterprise that sagaclouSly
sees future of permanent prosperity. Why
not with new Railroad speeding to compile
tou-a County sirdling it for miles unsurpass-
ed fer fertility climate mild and healthtul
"A population moral snd inteliigeut-with
every facility ofedgcation and rcligion--your
goodly town combines every advantage that
goes to make up prosperous aud increasing
place. The pleasure of my stay IN the town
| vas enhanced 10y the delightful and complete
entertainment enjoyed at the " Carter House
conducted 10y Mr. &. Leisenrng and his most
excellent wife Che location Of this hotel has
always appeared to are to be admirable, COM
msenGtng it to the travelling public and when
/ to this Is added its convenient arrangement OF
rooms-its shady ard pleasant court-with its
quiet home like maUagement-and still more
its cuisine feature under the personal direction
of Mrs. G. an adept in the art-combining
every excellence to suit the palate aud satisfy
the inner man 1t is in fact iirSt-casS llote
and has no superior. No wonder Capt. little
goes it con the sq uare' there, whenever he goes
to CharleStown.
The Valley Clnvocation Of Episcopal clergy
were in session here from Wednesday evening
Mr. Leayell, Rcctor-Revs. Jones, Gram
mar, Meade aud Read present Mr. Meade
! preached twice and went on Saturday TO preach
At Berkeley Springs on Sunday. The Failing
Waters congregation iPresbyterianl have been
without Pastor since last Fall. Rev Mr.
Gilmore of RockGridge has accepted a call and
arrived last week The Democratic convention
Of this County met at Martinsburg last Sltur-
day, and nominated for the Legislature f. l.
HOFFMAN and Jack Thomas Esqs., for Clerk
Of Circuit Court, William Colstuu- Clerk oil
! Cnunty Curt Mr.. Doll. Avery strong ticket
! The F=EE Pass comes to me weekly and
prize it highly. Yours, &c, TIMOTHY.