Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-06-15


country adding life to the PICTURE
Rapidly our vehicles flew down the
curved and smooth pike embroidered by
ferns and wild flowers and shaded by
vines that climbed through the dense
forests until we found ourselves at its
base on the lovely farm of Capt. A. J.
Grayson. A dash of some two miles
found us In the pretty little town of
Seldom,
where the exercises of Seldom High
School, taught by my friend Prof. j. S.
Browning, Of this county, had drawn
together a large concourse of those peo-
pie of the county who appreciate and
encourage popular education. Seldom
has one Of the finest court buildings in
the South West, and as / entered the
spacious and elegant second story Court
room / was delighted with the picture of
youth, culture and beauty there assem-
bled. Prof. Browning has a school
numbering SO pupils, and embracing a
large number of grown young gentle
men and ladies. / am assured that the
immense satisfaction given by him in
this his first session, will result in a
much larger one next fall. The main
portion of the exercises came off on
Thursday, embracing Rotations by the
young ladies and girls, declamations by
the young men and boys, with very rich
and often highly amusing exercises in
which both sexes participated. have
never seen this exhibition exceled by
any high school. Some of the elocution
was Of al order so high that one would
have supposed the classes had been UNI
dergding literary drill for years. The
young ladies acquitted themselves with
the greatest credit. The Polish Boy re-
cited by Miss Hattie Grayson would
have drawn the applause OF any city
audience. Some of the little fellows
brought down the house in round after
round Of applause.
Friday afternoon the address before
the school, occupying 20 minutes, was
delivered by the writer Of this. In the
evening there was very lengthy pro-
gramme, occupying the time from s p.
NJ. until A. NJ. the next morning.
So interesting were these that the large
audience listened with enrapped atten-
ton and perfect order to its close and
then seemed unwilling to disperse.-
Extempore addresses were made by
Rev. Mr.. Penly, Rev. Mr.. Green, Com
monwealth's ATTY. Joseph French and
Messrs. Martin Williams, Il. j. Muncey,
A. J. Grayson, --Thornburg and 9TH
ers.
Prof. Browning seems to have cap
tured the county with his school, and
has evidently kindled within 1t an cdu-
cational enthusiasm that will result in
infinite benefit. During my stay was
entertained by my friend Browning AT
the Fannon House, where there is about
Ms little reason for discomfort to row
ing journalist as any place know Of
1 Mr.. II. Stuart Repass, of Wytheville,
enlivened the spare hours with excellent
music from his violin, being the leader
Of the String Band Mt the School Exhi-
bition. He Is one of the finest violinsts
| have met In the mountains of Virginia
There too had the pleasant company OF
my old-no | mean former friend, Mr..
Il. j. Munsey, who represented the
county in 1894, and who is doing O
good law practice. How in the world this
warm-hearted lawyer can live in daily
association with some Of the prettiest
ladies Of the land, and for years resist
the divine command touching the mar.
riage relation know not. But he Is not
alone In Bland County, for verify be.
lieve there are more eXcuselcss bachelors
In that county than any other in the s.
w. The Judge Of the county court,
whom met there for the first time, an d
whom found to be gentleman of strong
mind and fine information and culture
Judge Wiley heads this list with his OK
ample Of mastery matrimonial inactivity
The Commonwealth Attorney, Mr.
Joseph French, follows next, clothed q:
he Is with superabundance of paucity
of excuse. hear Of one Of the minis
ters who preach there as wifelees ex.
ample Of excuseless celibacy. The fol-
lowing names of gentlemen whom'I re.
we're, rs woman soon would, are marked
with this social self ostraclsm, walking
by the light Of examples set by Bench
Bar and Pulpit. Messrs. Dun Newber.
ry, Jno. Allen, J. NJ. Carpenter, Robt
Hogo, 4. Bruce, Chas Grayson, VIM
Grayson, A. Davis, Jesse Justice, Jas
Susiicc, BY the way saw ono Of thes,
gentlemen In phase Of life that indi.
Gates break In the proper direction. II
he does not win md wed bright eyed
maiden on whose face the fash of Sum
mer comes and goes with the passing
moments, am misInformed, and If he
does not make her supremacy happy
have sadly and widely miscalculatcd.
had the pleasure of meeting Or. Jno
lIogc the editor of that bright paper the
Bland South and West and the energetic
and gcniel local editor thereof Mr.. Kits
These gentlemen arc giving the county
M excellent paper, that ought to be vel
sustained. am specially indebted fol
rniirinpies 10 the fnllnwinn nnnilnmnn