The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-30

Who could guess that to broken heart
So much Of bliss it could impart?
While rarest blossoms OF rich perfume,
Died alone, unheeded, in gorgeous room.
All, who could guess SO much good lay
In the little flower cast away? A. K.
Points from Porkopolis.
CINCINNATI EXPOSITION-MUSIC HALL
REUBEN sPRINGER-FLOWE Rs--PIC-
TUREs-poTTERY-PoL
From our Special Correspondent.
Cincinnati has had Fourth Of July for
four weeks. 1t began in September, with
elaborate decorations and grand procession
in which the President of the United States,
the General OF our Armies, Little Fighting
Phil Sheridan, and Attorney General De-
vens, along with Governors, ex-Governors,
and men who want to be Governors, shone
conspicuously. 1t ended with the ringing
of bells, the blowing OF steam whistles, three
cheers and tiger. Had the weather been
made to order if could not have given more
complete satisfaction, and in the general
business boom every one in the city felt like
helping on the sport, and all the country
cousins came to help swell the number OF
sight-seers, shoppers and pleasure-seeke rs.
1t was worth quite a journey to see our
grand Music Hall, the princely gift of Reu>
ben Springer, one of our patriotic and gen
erous citizens. He did not wait until death
came for him, but is now giving literally OF
his means and is enjoying his reward.
don't believe have much faith in post
morten generosity. No one can carry any
of their possessions With them, for ''shrouds
have no pockets" and do not see any very
marked liberality in giving away what can
by no possible means be kept,
James Lick, of San Francisco, left for
charitable and scientific purposes more hum
dred thousands than I've had time to count
up, but doubt if he ever gave to suffering
mar or woman one dollar while he lived
The lawyers seem likely to absorb an exceed
ing large slice. and bid fair to keep the es-
tate in litigation so long, I am afraid the
recording angel will forget to give any cred
it to the little old man who. had no one to
shed an honest tear for him, though thous-
ands looked upon the dead face lying in a
coffin, which was only little more heavy
than the bag of gold which settled the I'M
dertaker's bill. seven hundred dollars bought
an elegant casket, but all his millions could
not buy a tear. Reuben Springer's pathway
to the rivers edge mast be paved with. the
loving gratitude of those whom he has bene-
fitted and love will! light the way and
bridge the stream for his feet to pass safely
over. Even in the green pastures aad by
the still waters on the other side he may
meet and walk withthose whose hearts have
been cheered by his charities.
The exposition-for that is what all thi!
fuss was about-has been brilliant success
not only in the way Of exhibits but financial
". and this latter nut is usually the one
which is frost-bitten.
| When the turnstie had recorded its las
victim the number Of visitors who had pait
their admission fee, was 422,S7S. Add tt
this the officials. invited guests, newspaper
folks, and other dead heads. and the numbe
is quite respectable. When it is remember
ed that every person from out Of town ha!
spenta little money, and that many hav'
spent good deal, it may well be inferred
| that the pocket-books of our business me
have fattened considerably.
One of the great attractions OF the eXposi
| ton has been the flowers. Two days o
| each week were set apart for fine floral dis
plays, and all our florists have labored ear
nestly to earn the liberal cash premium
paid chiefly by hotel and business men VIII
we're possessed of sufficient sagacity t
und erstand that whatever increased the at
tendance at the Exposition would help thel
business. And so Cincinnati has surprised
herself BY the wonderful beauty Of che flora
displays. She is so proud think she
ready to accept challenge from all tn
florists east OF the Rockies. There has bee
too, great originality in many OF the &c
I signs and no stint in the quantity OF tn
flowers. One premium piece was larg
ocean steamer, complete, even to the fou
wreathed life. boats hanging from its side
Another design was summer house,
wheat and smilax; the grounds beneat
it were laid out in tiny ribbon walks made I
carnation and baisam, while rose-buds, VII
lets and tube roses filled the tiny fower-bed
A large pillow, eight feet long, gave Joy
the granger's heart, as did also large sne'
of oats, its upper end filled in with splend
gladiolus blossoms, scarlet and pink al
notified; against the sheaf leaned full
grown scythe made entirely of flower
. There were urns and vases druggists mo
tars and Tyres; broken columns and hors
shoes; bridal boquets and baskets; in ia
our floral department has been, indeed,
'sthing Of beauty and its memory will
ssa Joy forever to all Cineinnatians.
Next in order comes the picture gale
where we might llnger from the opening
the close of the Exposition, and then fe
! that the feast had been all too short. II
large collection had fewer poor paintini
than lever saw in such an exhibition, and II
same is true of the engravings, many
. which were the choicest selections from tt
rich collections of Messrs. Jas. L. Claghor
of Philadelphia, and H. F. Sewell, OF Ne
York. It is not often We have an opports
J nifty to study engravings from such maste
as Marc Antonio, Rembrandt and Duerer.
, Among the pictures in oil were son
which, like the faces Of dear friends, will
with me ever, but to attempt detailed d'
!. scription Of even the best pictures wou
consuma more time than | have to spar