The Rugbeian. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1881-1882, 1881-04-01

favorable circumstances, glimpses of the wild and
picturesque intrpded The road did not follow any
OF the many long finger like slopes ringing the table
land, but cut across several of Them We were pass
ing over the farming lands offered for sale by the
company. The hlsides are of gentle slope, tim
bered, for the most part, with white oak of good
size-not very large The ridges are quite level,
umbered with yellow pine, chestnut and black oak
IN the main. This timber is for the most part too
small for lumber, though some good sized trees are
found. We crossed bridge over White Oak stream
near to Rugby. The view from the bridge the
first glimpse | had of the wonderfully beautiful
scenes to be found in those regions. True, the
was a dim one, lit only by dim starlight for Aeecy
clouds ran the faces Of the stars yet the clear
water sparkled far down between the grey old rocks
draped with kamias and rhododendrons Now we
passed new frames of buildings, also finished dwell
ings, in the midst of the wild Wilderness and soon
checkered pile of ghts-the many windows of
large hotel--showed the "Tabard" at Rugby
We stumbled down from our perches with little use of
our legs. After various gyratons on pegs by way
ofteachng them proper sense of duty, and bringing
ourselves to an understanding Of our bearings,
handed the {" hack imam the half dollar and went in
the hotel. We found the hotel really good one,
and the manager a gentleman which items went far
to drive away the ghost of discomfort that had edged
his lean self into our minds during our balancing
feats while roosting on the "hack." The only draw
back was that the house was overcrowded-no bed
for another one-a not very cheering prospect for
weary travellers who had made eight miles in three
hours, in postures that would have done honor to
cheap circus acrobat Our kind host did his best to
mend the matter by giving cots in the parlor,
after the guests departed thence to dreamand
The next day was Sunday, and rainy one. The
rain fell softly through the leaves of the pnes and
the air was fragrant. Service was held in the hotel
after the manner OF the Church of England, in the
morning. And, truly, the manner seemed fitted to
the place, for in the Episcopal service all join in
reading, singing and prayer, alike, very fitting
all quarters of our great globe, to form society in
the primeva wilderness for mutual benefit.
After the rain ceased and the sun came out, took
walk to see the sights, and, loving nature, fol-
lowed nature first | took bride path that went
winding slowly down hill; by slowly mean long
sweep. AS | went lower the trees became taller.
New species began to appear the blue foliage of the
white pine began to minge with the sunny green of
the yellow pine, and here and there tall hemlock
lifted its soft boughs far above all others. Those
branches always had charm for me. When the
wind lifts them up white pillows run over the trees,
they fall back and all is darky green again for the
leaves are dark green the upper, and whitish
green on the under side. Down deeper in the glen
III
masses, the fragments of some ancient cliff. They
are half hidden by green masses of laurel (kalmia
atifolia) and Rose Bay Ghododendron maximum
Then to tall cragg still towering in its prim
tive glory; far up on its crest is fringe of pines
along down its stern and wrinked face hang ferns,
laurels and bays, that cling to the crevices. The
path winds along under the cliff. The great sand
stone wall coored and blotched with iron and man.
ganese rises perpendicular on my right The upper
stratum harder than those under it, reaches straight
out far over my head like great roof and know
that trees growing on that mighty roof On my
left, down deeper in the canyon, dashes Clear Fork
wide and rapid stream, swollen by the recent rain,
but clear as crystal. The path winds along the
stream under the cliffs, past scenes of wild and rug
ged beauty that cannot be surpassed. But enough
Of this; have given this short and rude sketch of
the natural scenery to point out one of the elements
that will enter into the building up of Rugby. An
other one is the healthful climate. Many will come
here to escape the malaria of localities less fortunate
in this respect In regard to the agricultural pos
sibites OF the locality it is no doubt true that worse
places have been converted into gardens and
vineyards. Large portions of our richest States
in the East worse naturally, than this plateau
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