Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-13

Matilda Muse, Maria Talbert, EIa Tal5ert'
G saza Mathews Cornella Fantroy Sara Plant,
Payne Richard Smith, Nettie Wills, Marcelli IA
Cook, Lucy Lee. Clara Lee, Carrie Slmms Clar
Plant, John Ford, William Washington, Al.
Derta johnson.
The Select Family Excursion tn the
Blue Ridge Mountains.
Ihe most noteworthy and successful eXcur.
sion that ever departed from this city was
that which left here for the Blue Ridge noun
talns on Decoration Day. Nearly fifteen hun
dred pilgrims paid their deuoirs to this historic
region.
The party left the 9Th street depot at 1880 a.
M, In four trains, and arrived safely at Balti-
more In one hour and five minutes where they
were switched to the tracks Of the Western
Maryland railroad, over which they were soon
comfortably travelling. The country through
which this road runs, is, to Judge from its
thriving appearance, the garden region of Mary
lana. On every hand is seen clusters Of COM
barns, filled to repletion With the garnered pro,
ducts Of this bounteous soil Every change OF
pie, and tells the story o. the life and happine
OF this country. Hamlets, villages and towns
are passed In quick succession, varying with
the green pastures a scene that is ever
changing.
AT every station the country people, resting
Ior the moment from their bucoltc occupations,
gaze with Wondrous curiosity at the long trains
containing the excursonists, and the children,
the rapidly disappearing trains long after the
cadenZas OF Nancy Lee' have died away In
mountain sides. So far all the beauties of this
region have been more than verified, and we
confidently anticipate the grandeur Of the
scenes yet to come.
At Mechan1cstown the ascent into the noun
ta1nS or the Blue Ridge commence. The gently
swelling hills tracing with graceful curves its
Outnnes against the sky, now meet our sight:
tne mountain streamlet as it takes its merry
way over its rock-bound course, ever and anon
breaks into the tranquility OF the scene with
It's ceaseless murmur. Here, the majesty Of
NATURE IN her suollmeSt mood, has touched With
her fairy wand these enchanted scenes or re.
ality.
= so sweet spot OF earth, you might, waen.
Have guessed some congregation Of the elves
10 t sport ~ summer moons had shaped it for
After pleasant ride Penmar Park was soon
reached. We found cOnveyances here ready to
take the excursionists 500 feet higher up the
mountain to High Rock. Seats were soon in
great demand, and in very few minutes the
hrst train load was on their way to this emil
nence A strong and handsome pavilion three
Top tne scene was enchantfngly grand Tie
whole region is mountainous, but not precipi-
Lous enough to be Alpine; it's grandeur is de-
from far-reach1ng sweeps OF outline, and con-
tinually rising domes that almost mingle with
the clouds. Grand, severe, and almost sullen
Is tne aspect which nature here. presents. We
stand In the centre Of a scene which seems
In spirit as 1t is in fact lifted above the rest OF
mankind, coldly and calmly looking down upon
IL, sharing none Of its sympathies, aud dis
turped Dy none OF its alarms. We are no
longer In the world we knew before mere
p1gmy among the stupend0us architectural
achievements OF nature, we are impress sed with
the awful power OF the Supreme Being, aud our
own insigniiicance. Beauty 1t has been said,
mas but moments existence In any one thing,
put mere 1t Is eternal. Time has sealed with
It's lndelible stamp the endowments of all the
smiling valley OF the Shenandoah Hundreds
OF farms In different degrees Of cultivation form
contrast that defes the artists brush.
Fields that were luxury to roam"
Everywhere mark spot distinctive from the
mist obscured the more distinct objects. which.
however, only added to the grandeur of the
scene. The floating masses Of clouds spread
rae naey IKE tn the spirit
OF this happy community. At times the
shadow OF some heavy cloud would steal across
the scene making the effect both weird and
1t is while we stand absorbed in the RETROSPECT
ton OF the past. with the falling mist of q Nav
Twilight deepening the shadows Of the spectral
objects below, that the imagination lures the
senses into dream-li Contamination OF the
scenes that made this valley the theater of war,
wherein was enacted the terrible drama of our
conie SITe and we again see the hosts Of each
tomime the turbulent scenes OF our fratricidal
contest, land we live again In the events OF this
PERIOD nc IT'S IN the to the
phantom OF our day dream dissolves. The
shades OF evening are slowly shrouding with its
dark mantle the panorama that is being gradu-
ally hidden from the sight OF the excurslonists
as they are notified by the warning whistle OF
are about to terminate. the visitors are 10th
are with the destinations that rivet their eyes
upon this grand feast OF nature.
After nearly six hours Of enjoyment, in
which dancing consumed the most time OF
many, the excursiODfsts departed for home well
pleased with the events Of the day. Arriving at
Washington at $3.50 p m, the company soon dis
excursion to the Blue Ridge mountains.
Today the grand jury returned bills OF ind'ct-
ment against John Hitz and Charles E. Prem
tlss on charge OF enlightenment OF s., 900 In Ger
man-American Fire Insurance stock and Sc, zoo
or National Metropolitan Bank stock: John
HttZ, Charles E. PrentiSS, r. B. Donaldson and
w. +. Mattingly making false entries in bank
books, ION March 1st, 1878, $4,000 as remit
lance @d. to the Importers and Traders Bank Of
embezzlemeht OF 100000 OF the funds Of the
German. American Bank; Charles f. Prentiss
emDeZzlement OF $40. and against Charles T.
statements of the bank MI Mattingly at once
| came into court and asked that ball be fixed
ana the amount OF $4,000 was fixed, which he
saw. AhC WlLucSSCS cuUDIScu on the
ments are Adolf Cluss, b. U. Keyser, Christian
| Heurlch, Christian Rupert, and G.H. B. White
THE WEsCOTT MEMORIAL SERyICEs.-Las,
evening there was large attendance on the
| memorial services in honor OF the late Professor
Lorenzo Wescott, at the New York avenue
Presbytery OF Washington, presided, and artel
| oevOtlonal exercises he presented the resolu
t IONS ADOPTED by the Presbytery and spoke O
M, Ms value OF Professor Wescott as counsellor
| no 011YfIn Ions
duopled by the WOmen's Missionary society
lev, Dr; Pltxer On behalf Of the theological de
| par.neht OF Howard university presented
IneLnollai ana resolutions as to the labors 0
IroIesSoT Wescott In behalf OF the colored race
ana PAID graceful tribute to the memory o
Inc aeceaseo, ana ne was followed by Rev. DR.