Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-06-04


upon the heights of the Alleganies and
looked out as far as the eye could reach upon
the beautiful and fertile lands which lie at
the base and on either side of the range of
mountains; we have made our way up the
dreamy valley Of the Wyoming, whose
praises have been sung by bards the mostfa-
nous and immortal where the beautiful
Susquehanna winds its way, and whose wa
tiers have been harnessed into the service of
man; we have loitered in the sunlight and
shadow of the unrivaled, romantic scenery
which fringes the Cheat river grade, and we
have paused for half day in the curve of
the famous Horseshoe Bend" and gazed
upon the paintings of nature when the hazy
atmosphere of royal Indian summer par
tally yelled the landscape, closing in dim
and misty about the valley and lowering
around the mountain side-a shimmering,
gauze-like veil to the beauties of sylvan
scenery; but we have never in imagination
or reality beheld such a charming, varied
and celebrating scene. The crests of the
different ranges Of mountains in their grace
full and towering sublimity, as far as we
could discern, were wreathed with crowns
of feecy clouds, whilst down the sides sport
ed the sunshine, now playing with the rip
ping waters of the mountain stream, here
chasing away the gloom which rests DER
some splendid mountain glen, there stealing
into the tiny folds of the delicate wild flow
er which grows in the cliffs of some lofty
masses Of rock, and then in the twinkling of
an eye would come the shadow, creeping
along like some black-robed executi0ner, to
drive away the cheerful sunlight. With the
exception of a few rocky precipices and
cliffs, the mountains are wooded from the
summit to the base. From the foot of these
mountain ridges, particularly on eastern side,
the valley slopes away with broad, sweeping
undulations in the surface, forming numer-
GUS swelling hills Of arabic and grazing
lands, and as we recede from the hills the
fine flats and meadows, covered with the
richest grass and wheat, indented with smil-
ing homesteads, herds of fat, heavy cattle al
most lost midst luxurious pastures, groves
of virgin forests through and around which
wind the curling waters of the Shenandoah,
complete the picture by features of the gen.
tlest and most luxurious beauty.
Thanking Mr.. Zirkle and his sons for their
marked attention and hospitality, we hur-
ried back to New Market, desiring TO visit
before night the rich, large and elegant do
main of Gen. Meem.
Whilst resting under the shade Of the
porch adjoining the hotel, in waiting for
dinner, We fell into conversation with Sn in
telligent and aged farmer.
Sir, we said, you have a beautiful country.
Eyes, the finest and richest in the world, /
do believe. understand that you have Just
returned from the cayerns The lands over
which you have passed yield, even in trying
seasons, from eighty to one hundred bushels
Of corn and thirty to thirsy-dve bushels Of
wheat We never have to put out crop 70
make crop. Further down the valley than
you have passed, and indeed on s11ne OF the
farms by which you have Travelled. are % be
found three-year-old cattle weighing fruu
eighteen TO twenty five hundred po1nds-
You would hardly believe it, but it Is fact,
sir"
We do not doubt the truth OF your state
ment We remember ourselves that TWO
years age, when attending Gen Mems sheep
sale, We saw a steer that was down, and b.
cause of ITS great weight had 10 be assisted
up. We also knew farmer in LOudoun
county who was often compelled % assist his
Cotswold sheep in getting upon their feet
In our ride this morning We were much
impressed with the precision with which
the farms were laid of, the condition OF the
fencing, the commodious and comfortable
out-buildings and the cleanliness and order
around the same.
"Yes, our ladies pay as much attention 10
their diaries as to their parlors, whilst our
farmers give their individual supervision to
everything connected with their farming op-
erations. They have place for everything
and everything is kept in its place Nothing
is more Notifying TO their pride than rag.
ged fence-corner, nothing more distasteful
than dirty barn-yard."
You suffered much during the war.
Terribly; these rich farms, in fact this
entire valley, was wide waste; but our re-
cuperation has been as remarkable and won
i
derful as was rapid and striking the desola-
ton. The large barns and stables which
you have seen are built upon the ruins of
Others, and new fencing has supplied the
place of that where there was scarcely
vestige left During the entire war we were
subjected to the waste which followed in the
march of both armies. Our army was, of
course, more mindful and careful of our in
terests. If, from necessity, they were driven
to take our milk, apple-butter and beehives,
we had only to go next morning to the near
est struggling post or tree where we would
find hanging high and dry the crooks and
boxes. Brave boys! We never begrudged
them; they were fighting our battles and
u"puLiuS every lHCn Ol our SOIL WIN their
blood, in defence of our homes and institu-
tons Many found silent home under the
shadows of our hills; we loved and admired
their courage and endurance, their fidelity
to the cause which they espoused, and to
the honor and integrity of their native State,
and in death We have not forgotten them"
How about the health of this seemingly
favored country
1--WE have but little Of serious sickness
Famed by the pure mountain breezes, drink
ing copiously of that beverage which God
brews deep down in the earth and sends bub
bling and sparkling to the surface. The ma
chinery of man requires but little or no oil.
ing, but gradually wears away and finally
the pendulum falls"
1t is evident, we remarked, that Provi.
dence is with you.
ayes, Providence is with us all, If we only
have proper sense and appreciation of
gratitude. He is with us in pestilence in
storm and sunshine The storms of winter
are essential TO the eniovment of tho ,,lor,,