Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-08-18

OellgntS In a Dad grade ana Dacklug SoAoPo'
There were dry ruts and deep holes 1hat
limited OF winter and tie slough OF de-
spond. When the thaw comes, the Wneeis
go the axle. The corduroy of pine sapllngs
once in while brings the hub out OF the
mud. A system that would grade and keep
our roads in decent condition; would save q
mint of money to the farmers; but it coulo
be brought about only at the risk OF 2 re-
bellion. led by the blacksmiths and wneei-
wrights. Their craft would be in danger
LOST.
Another trait of the old Virginian; he
will not live on the "main road" We
drove tor miles without seeing a dwelling
house or meeting traveller. The straight
road is famous for forking. never Saw
sign-board IN hundred miles. / never
passed over mile without making an an
gle with an intersecting thoroaghfare. OF
course we got lost. At dusk we were
made to believe that the first right-hand
road will take you there" We took 1t.
Down long hill, washed out, steep, rocky
the carriage jostled-the passengers afoet.
There was doubtful bridge in the bot
tom, sagging and without railing. On we
toiled. Night came. No house was seen
for two miles. A thunder-cloud meeting
US. We came to s'fork." We examin.
ed the dividing roads to find out ''the
mostly travelled one" We chose the right
hand one. On we crept through the woods
We sighted house, turned in, beat on the
door, no light; presently from a cabin,
"Who's dar?" a pafley. The African APP
preached. why, boss, you done got out
the road better than two miles" Back
over the bad road, the bad bridge, the bad
hill, we slowly walked the horses. catching
a glimpse of the track by the sharp flash
es from the clouds. The storm bursted in
fury We turned as directed, and in the
glare OF lightning and through torrents in
the air we took the 'next right-hand road d
and drove to a house. And were wrong
again! The tree-tops were ablaze with
electricity. The heavens seemed an erial
lake with the bottom o ut. A young gen
tleman rushed out through the tempest to
our assistance. The trembling horses
were unhitched. Hank and Irby ran for
the house. The writer. in great dignity
and dampness, sat IN the carriage. The
driving storm roared around the vehicle
and inst. The bolts of fire flew every
minute among the oaks. The solitary
traveller, without umbrella and in an al
paca coat, forsook his post and made haste
fort dwelling. He got to the hinge
side of the gate, and received barrel of
rain while fumbling for the latch. A flash
of lightning revealed his mistake and
quickened his pace.
LUCK.
The folks were the family of DR.. Hite
Mrs Hile was the grand daughter of Re7.
Matthew Dance, Of blessed memory. New
er was there such hearty welcome
1t was ten of the night They
would serve supper. Young Hite brought
a dry suit. exchanged my dripping gar
ments. moved around IN the highest
breeches had squeezed into for many a
day The pattern was youthful. The
family wereso kind we we're happy in spite
of our i'll luck on the road. We thanked
God at the household altar with them and
went to rest.
Sardis was twenty miles away. We got
into the ''main plain road'' in the morn
ing, and found friends on the way to thu
Conference. In good time wa arrived.
: CLEVER CONFERENCE. Z
There we're but few absentees from the
session. The Elder and the delegates
were on hand, and brother Croker preach
ed an apt sermon at IL O'Clock. Brother
Beckham was scribe. Brothers F. M. Ed
wards, Clark, Rosser, and the writer
preached during Conference. The bust.
ness was conducted with certain skill
that got at the kernel without grinding
up the hull. A shark swallows a turtle
bones and shell, but French cook serves
only steak. Boggs, like the oyster open
or, cared only for the plump meat. and
nothing for the shell. Juicy facts were
scooped out. There was no set Grafton mol
petty hobby trotted out. There was nc
hurry and skurry in the proceedings
Enough of pleasantly waspermittsd to re-
lieve any tedium. but no banter of wit
INDUCED; no trash nor talk for talk 3 sake
Christian courtesy and direct work were
combined. 1t was Conference Of earn
est men in high and holy vocation. The
Elder has the gift Of model chairman.
The house couldn't hold the throng. An
arbor was at hand. Fifteen hundred we're
present on Sunday. Better listeners no
preacher ever had. Methodism had early
and wide success in Mscklenburg. The
primitive and pure form is still retained.
Tie pioneers and powerful men planted
and watered the Vine in these parts.
IT LOOKED LIKE OLD TIMES.
While some subject Of routine was up,
I sauntered through the grove. The old
high-swinging ''bug- back" carriage was
there, Venerable black s'mammies, -
with turbans Of colored kerchiefs, held the
Growing babies. Who could resist squeez"
ing their fat feet? The fodder was heap
ed behind the vehicles. The great baskets
with white linen covers, sat on the tables
of new planks. In buggy here and there
was couple blushing and talking in a
murmur. The top was up, and didn't face
towards the church. The boys were open
ing the mouths of the colts and telling
their age. The arbor with smell of dying
leaves, and shadows through the foliage,
the neighing horses, the woods, the voice
of the preacher, brought back the years
that are no more, and the scenes of long
by-gone days. In this interior section,
and far from the maddening crowd of
modern cities and centres of trade, the
noble people run their quiet and godIy
race.
A ROANOKE PLANTATION.
E.. -