The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-10-15
SENTINEL.
A Saturday Saunter.
Letter from q Louisiana Student at Roa-
noke College-A trip to the Blue Ridge.
ROANOKE COLLEGE, Salem. Va, }

October 1, 1881.
MY DEAR MYRA:
AS awoke early last Saturday morn
ing and found all around me enjoying
the gentle sunshine aud inhaling the
cool and balmy zepbyrs so calmly waited
from yon Sunny South, one of my favor
ite classmates suggested that we select
a party and take a ramble upon one of
the mountains near by. College duties
being suspended on that general holiday
with students, very willingly accepted
his proposition and by half after nine
we-six in number started on our
tramp. When we had travelled but a
few PAGES, one Of the boys expressed
desire for some water after going lit
tie farther we beEeld, oozing from a
grassy hillside, the silvery sprays of an
iron spring shaded by the graceful bow
ers of several weeping willows; by this
time we were all somewhat thirsty and
partook most bountiful1y of the soothing
beverage and then wended our way
toward the massive object confronting
us. After many slow step and weary
sigh we found ourselves not only at our
journeys end, but also, though unexpec-
tedly, in the midst Of beautiful, we'll
filed orchard of most palatable looking
fruit. We were so strongly tempted that
we could not for q moment conceive of
the idea of departing and not having
sampled the luscious morsels which hung
so gracefully from the mother tree and
almost asking us to partake of their
proffered sweetness. When we had eaten
heartily and filled our pockets, we began
our gaze DER the surrounding country.
We distinctly saw into five differ
ent States of the Union, giving us, as
you can imagine, ample grounds on
which to judge of natures loveliness
After closely inspecting with the aid of
the spy-glass the beautiful hill l-tops,
valleys, rocks and riyulets, we saw,
about fifty miles distant, the gorgeous
Peaks of Otto clad in their robe Of spot
less white; these presented true picture
of what Blair terms subHmity.
We were now about ready to leave for
home, but just before starting we sat be-
meath the shade of an o'erspreading
maple to enjoy our little lunch, which
consisted of two cans of sardines and one
pound of soda crackers; these of course
| we in short while consumed. Twas
II o'clock when the query was made,
care you all ready to return to Roanoke
College ?" and can assure yon the re-
sponse was unanimously yes. We de-
scended the mountain, as you will
doubtless believe, in a much shorter
space of time than we climbed it. When
we had walked mile or two we were
but being only a short distance from
home the other fellows-if you will par
don me for the use of that college term-
concluded not to stop and again drink Of
the cooling waters, but I, viewing meath
a bower of lovely moss roses q rustic
maiden clad in her frock of rural sim
plicity, imagined myselffearfull thirsty,
in fact almost famished. Having par
taken sufficiently of the silvery sprays /
was as totally entranced by the quick
glance, sweet smile and modest blush of
this bewitching lass, that I vowed by
all the oriental gods and goddesses that
| would address her if merely to say bon
soir So carried into effect my resolu-
tion; thence, to my great but agreeable
surprise, we gided into most enviable
conversation, to be always remembered
among my many pleasant souvenirs of
college life.
Thus ended my trip to the Blue Ridge
Range. Hoping however, to take another
ere many weeks, l am,
Very truly yours, WILLARD.