Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-08
AMONG THE WEST VIRGINIA HIGH
LANDS.
Their Scenery and People. and Their
neutrality-suspicious. in the
WOods-KoW They Enjoy Life.

Pecnliarities-Wasia ingt onianS in the
Woods-Kow They Enjoy Life.
AURORA, PRESTON Co., W. VA, July 8. 1889.
To-day We climbed one Of the highest knobs
of this g nobby'' region from the breezy top of
which we had 2 sweep of vision tor many dim
miles in all directions over mountain ranges and
darkllng valleys. At the foot of the mountain
and its "foot," mind you, is planted three
Thousand 1eet ABOVE misunderstanding rich
meadow on the gentle banks of a noisy stream.
spread sugar orchard" of majestic naples
Winding and scrabbling up up, steep, narrow
road between two humble mountain houses. we
reached shoulder plateau where opened the
hundred acres Of an old and well-im proved
tarm-a farm that it's present PROPRIETOR had
hewn out of the heavy solitary forest many
years ago, when he and his old wife. now as
broken as their Dutch "were young and fool
ssh" or they hadn't been " foolish they would
nave "gone west" instead of wrestling as they
nave, with these Observation-Disclosures Obsta-
cles.) The fences were in good repair, and the
gate through which we drove hung as lightly on
its hinges as the tongue of politician Paintless
ana Weather-stained stood the rambling grange
mouse. Inc stone "spring-hOuse" was covered
with grape vines. The fat ducks and geese
shook their tails saucily in the face of the world
ihree gals. more or less fair and sun-burnt,
hoed the corn as the old farmer plOwed Roses
doomed in the door-yard, and brown bees Skin
mished for sweets. The goblet from which we
drank the sweet cold water of the deep WE'LL
smelled of onions. The old lady Informed US
that they had just bought new SIS dog: and an
enterprising pump peddling fiend had found his
way up that mountain hight with new-iangled
pump, patented but few weeks ago, and sold
1t to the old man for S45 Round q meadow we
went, hugging worm fence, we passed the old
man corn Held, through pair of bars, over
rolling pasture spotted with sheep and echoing
with the drowsy tinkle of their bells. Near by
STOOD deserted and tumble-down homestead of
hewn logs and outside stone chimney. Along
slde It's chOked spring. where we left our team
ana spring wagon, to begin on foot, with sticks
to aid us, the ascent of the steep top part of the
bold mountain. In an abandoned field. plas-
tered up against the mountain, of scanty vegeta-
ton and thick with small loose stones. we found
an excavation made by prOspectors for iron ore.
ana there were certainly evidences to the very
top of the knob that iron might be found.
Hurrah! On the top rail of the fence that
WINDS lts struggling line on the very top of the
mountains, the breeze was glorious and the
view was wide and beautiful. With field glass
the houses and walks and the lanes of the vii
lages, miles below. were distinct in the rich
light OF the summer afternoon The blue Ridge
slept far to the southeastward in the .Old Do
mlnl0n; while line on line of smoky distances.
stretched over each other, about the 'Wilder-
ness, on the borders of North Carolina. far I'D
the headwaters of Cheat river. Then descent
to our wagon and rattle and CHATTER down to
the nesting wales, and rocky, rolcking rollick-
ing, llmpid brooks and streams. All, its lovely
country to stay inf you ''don't have tO'
The village-Khch is twins-is situated on
opposite views of a. charming valley. that is
hemmed round by elevations which, like Alps
on on APPS arise. Aurora proper is built along
the south side Of the valley, and on either side of
the PIKE, which third of century ago was a
great staging thoroughfare ''across the noun
tains.' 'Old Town'-the original s.West
Union of this region, lies opposite. with its
rustic church-spire peeTing up through the chest
nut grove about it. LIZ the dense pine grove in
tervenng is fine spring bubbling up through
the white sand and pebbles. Mr.. Riley. Wash
lngt0nian, who has bought the grove and ada
cent grassy glade has walled the spring in
horseshoe shape. and with its waters intends to
make an artificial pool in the pines
1t is twelve miles to Oakland, and ten to
Cranberry. Five miles down an excellent and
lovely mOuntainroad, takes you to Cheat river
On the north side of the little town runs Wolf
creek, trouting stream. which leaps and roars
doWn gorge III the mountains over water falls
to Cheat river. ;. Eastward from the edge of the
village runs another clear springfield stream.
VINO waters ultimately find their way to the
Hotomac and the sea- The forests are rich in
the varieties of their trees, and cold springs
gush from hillside and dell. The limestone land
region presents an infinite and pleas-r
ing variety OF landscape and scenery
10 meet the increasing popularity ofthe place
as a healthful, pleasant, quiet mountain resort,
Squire Shaffer has had to enlarge his inviting
tWo-stOry frame hotel, aud starts in at the be-
ginning of the season with a bousefnll of snm-
lner bOarders-all from Washington The
Aurora house is fianked by flowers and plants
and by orchard and garden while in front ex-
tends broad rustic wooden walk. shaded by
locusts and naples. 80
There goes the Methodist minister, bound for
Maple run to spread the gospel. (And we
imagine he spreads it pretty thin) He has on
his black clothes and a linen duster-thouph it's
as cool as cucumber and there hasn't been any
DUST Tor dry month" He is riding a horse and
pair OF od-fashi0ned, wind leather saddle
bags. He weighs over two hundred pounds has
small wife, who gives piano lessons and COOKS
MS donation" mutton for him. and his horse
has long tail and an orthodox gait. And here
comes the representative of the United States
on the outside of poor horse up the mud of
the newly worked street of the village. And
this horse also carries pair of saddle bars in
winch are transported the daily mail route We
are certain the route has never been ..expe-
aited. for nothing could hurry that poor old
horse! The horse is gray, and the boy that
propels him is green. The boys father rides
the mile ON quarter days. so as to draw his pay.
and be sure to drink it all I'D before
any of his seven or eight children, or
his wife can get hold of any of it to fool it
away" The girls take in washin" for the sum-
starch out of the collars and cuffs and put it in
the Undertaking. The old sub-contractor
lives two miles up the hollow" and used to be
pretty well of, but failed" that is, he failed
to get rich by keeping retail whisky store and
being his own best customer 1t is very rarely that
a man amasses a fortune in that way, though
many men nearly work themselves to death"
trying it. It's generally dead failure" The
old man, like President Arthur, is a good fisher
man. and we have been on two fishing expedi-
lions with him, in Cheat river and down " Big
Wolf for trout. He's clever old RIP" and
Its a pity he drinks" for il he didn't-and
wasn't demOcrat-his boy might be President
some day.
The thermometer lOafs around between so and
6O these July mornings until well on towards
noon. and the air is as bracing as if it came off
OF the lakes of the north or the blue rolling
sea.
Mr.. VAIL formerly o. the Washington World
who has bought farm at the foot of the noun,
tain we climbed this Forming, has just been in
under the friendly s...ade Of his domestic straw
planter" and Major Mnwiddie, another Wash
ington landed proprietor of this region, with his
pleasant lady, came in to trade and gossip
little linz NJ fob