Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-12
For The EVENING STAR.
A SatcheI Tramp from yyarrenaon to
LEraY.

For The EVENING STAR.
A SatcheI Tramp from Warrenaon to
LEray.
Unntermitted application to the dry details Of
Office work during the fall and winter had brought
us t0arealzing sense OF the misery of sufferers who
are described in the patent medicine almanacs
The ply Slci1nS said We needed air and exercise
and change OF scene and surroundings Like old
men, we sought each others company, and poured
into each others willing ears unreServed deSCrp-
tons OF our ailments But where were we to 90
to get the needed air and exercise? An old war
map OF Virginia answered the question, and on
bright May morning, before the ordinary govern
ment empOye had stirred from his stury lodging
rooms in search OF his daily aliment, two debili-
tated travellers left Washington by rail on their
way to WarrentOn. Two light OvercoatS and two
sary for our journey, gave notice to the travelling
public that we were bound for somewhere.
"HOw far do you gO?" asked benevolent look
ing man near u, after the train had LETT Alexan-
drla but being seriously impressed with the mag
nitude OF what we had undertakenin our enfeebled
condition, and secretly fearing that our program
OF walking from Narrenton 20 Luray over the Blue
Ridge mountains would have to be abandoned
answered. 40 Warrenton, sir" Arriving at War
renton Junction, we found a locomotive and a few
cars On the branch road ready to take Us to War
rentOn. Here p0rtly gentleman, judge OF the
W2rrenton circuit who had come up with us on
the train, was thrown into violent tit OF dfspleas-
ure upon learning from the station master that
we had TO wait for some passengers that were
coming On the next train from Washington, due
an hour and half later.
TWO LAZY Louis HOLD THE TRAIN.
These passengers turned out to be two young
SprigS, sons OF directors OF the branch road, who
for their own comfort had delayed their departure
from Washington and had telegraphed to hold the
junction train until their arrival. 'The lazy
loutsl" exclaimed the incensed judge, ''why In
thunder couldn't they get up at O'clock, as we
did?' and the delayed Passengers all agreed with
him.
AT Warrenton we put up at the hotel of the
town, and thence sauntered out to see the sights.
no st
VeW"-a single tree on the crest of distant hill
was pointed out to us, the possession OF which is
said 10 have been greatly cOnteStei by each side
IN the late war, it afforded lookout and signal
station, commanding great extent OF the sur
rounding country. There are several churches in
the town, one OF which was undergoing repairs
and repainting, and which we found to be
spacious and well appointed place of worship.
The mansion OF Hon. Eppa Hunton, Is probably
the best and most imposing in the town. The
court house was not open; but Judging from the
outside d9 It was In need OF repaiTs and above
In need OF fresh coat of paint, the yellOwsh-red
mud OF the place having stained everything for
three feet above the ground. The weather was
fine, however, and the air was in decided contrast
with the capitOlDe miaSmS, giving us a grateful
foretaste OF the freshness and purity we might
expect In the mountains TO the westward. The
tWtter or the wild birds gave new sounds to our
metropolitan cars, and the tnking OF the
bells and the lowing OF the herds in the distant
pastures added an agreeable charm to the quiet
landscape. Five O'Clock OF that day found us on
horseback returning from a visit to the Fauquier
thirteen miles had an eXhilarating effect, and
caused us for time to forget our affections.
IL was with great surprise that our host learned
that 1t was our intention to walk from Warrenton
to Luray, because no true Virginia gentleman
walks a mile when he can ride, and fne horses
are plentiful in tbs section of the country. His
surprise, however, was not equal to that OF smart
cOntraDaDd whom we passed on the road next day,
who. when we told him we had walked from war.
renton then six miles distant, cried out, In great
cOmniSeratiOn, WHAT couldn't you get no fix"
STEPPING OUT.
BY eight O'Clock the next morning we had passed
out ON the turnpike beyond the limits OF the town.
and had taken up the long .route step" OF 100
steps to the minute, which was to be the rate OF
our progress. The sky was clear, the road was
hard and dry, but not dusty, the atmosphere was
fine. and the stiffness was broken only by the
rustling OF the fresh foliage in the gentle breeze
that was blowing. We soon passed the base OF
Watery Mountain and came upon the contraband
referred to above, who was so solicltous about
being unable TO get elk" We gave him no direct
answer. and 1t WAS not until later in our journey
that we came to learn that in that country a "fx"
IS what, In our Ternacular, is known as a "turn-
out" or horse and vehicle
AS the day advanced the rays Of the sun grew
stronger, and our hitherto-pallld faces began to
and deep inspirations had, by sheer persistence,
wakei up cur whole animal economy, and the
langour OF the system so depressing for weeks be-
fore began row 10 give way TO cheerfulneSS Of
spirits and healthy glow OF body. AT the north
fork OF the RappahannCck we found country
store, the proprietor OF which entertained us for
half an hour upon the local trade OF the place. the
crop prospects, etc. Beyond this place the road
ccaScSsOnger TO wind around the feet Of the hills
but now boldly takes TO the hills themselves max
ing succession OF ascents and descents OF longer
or sbOrtcr extent, until the foot the Blue Ridge
are spurs and foothills of the Blue Ridge, we
obtain occasional views reaching over the sur.
rounding hills and up the valleys to the mountains
themselves The farm houses are now fewer in
number with long stretches OF woods between.
MISTAKEN FOR TRAMPs.
We halt at one about 100 yards from the road,
and halOo at front gate. A colored woman an
pears at the door, and we ask IL we can get glass
OF milk. Whether or not she is able at that dis
lance 10 distinguish us from the genus tramp
seems doubtful She Is, nevertheless, ready with
the answer: No, we Amt got no milk yer Dey
hab milk down at de next farmhouse The sound
OF the cowbel In her back yard is plainly audible
We asked, s. How far is it?" Only Jest little
way down de road" says she, evidently glad to
get rid OF such suspicious Characters
We pursue our journey, and in time come to
small farmhouse by the side of the road the doors
and windows OF which are wide open, and the
voices OF women In hilarious conversation are
heard within, but no one Is visible. Upon slight
noise made to attract attention, the hiarity in
stantly ceases and rather plump. od-lOOking
woman OF about thirty, in a faded calico dress,
makes her appearance at the door, and, upon sight
OF us, gathers together with one hand her dress
at the throat and with the ether arranges her
disheveled hair At the same moment the face Of
young girl OF sixteen Is projected beyond the
rear line or the house, and fingers only until its
owner sees that she Is observed, and then goes
into eclipse, while suppressed girlish litter goes
OI LII tic rear vi Tue uOuSS.
STRIKING MILK.
nine-year old boy also appears at the door,
"Can we buy some milk here?" we ask. 'sNon says
the woman at the door; s'we don't sell milk; but
guess we can spare you some, though" ssWe
would be glad to have some to serve US until we
reacn the next town." In a few moments the boy
brings out the milk, and while we drink IT. affords
Us Ia answer TO our questions, all the Information
IN ms possession concerning the farmhouse and
It's INHABITANTS Returning the glasses we drop a
| piece or silver In his hands and Misunderstanding
IIoin ms gaze the nickelplated mountings OF our
satchels snd straps which have so interested him
while waiting. glance back shows all eyes
upon US as we again take up the line OF march.
we arrive at AmlSSville In the early afternoon
ana OBTAIN something to eat at dilapidated house
winch Is pointed out as the hotel OF the town. A
| rather neshy elderly lady in faded clothing with
a clear complexion, expressive black eyes and a
Inc suit or very white hair, waited upon us as
sisted by niece OF the proprietor bright girl OF
twelve or thirteen summers whose natural shy
ness lily concealed the curiosity she secretly felt
concerning US
THE C0L0RED PREACHER
We were here introduced to q colored man who
had arrived in an open wagon on his way to
Gaines Cross Roads. He was the only one thus
FAR that We had seen on the road travelling In the