Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-10-12
Among the Mountains Of North Caro-.
lima

lima.
Mount Mitchell. the highest peak of
Black Mountains, is four hundred feet
higher than Mount Washington; in fact,
it is the highest point of the whole APP
palachian range. Mitchell. the surveyor,
Tor whom it was named, lost his life by
falling over precipice while wandering
on the mountain after nightfall. When
he was found dead the following day it
was proposed to bury him where he lay,
but an old mountaineer Directing that his
spirit would not rest well in the valley,
they wrapped his body in blanket and
bore it to the summit of the famous peak
that will bear his name forever. Every
visitor to this spot carries stone to
place upon his grave, thus helping to
build his monument.
Living on these mountains are people
who never saw a wagon or wheeled
vehicle of any kind. Bride paths lead
to their homes, and all they know of
the world is contained within an area of
few miles. There is an old mount
aineer in this vicinity who is living on
the farm where he was born. For a
hundred years his ancestors have titled
the same soil. The reward of this cent
ury of toll is fifty acres of cleared land,
a Lighthouse, now sadly out of repair,
smoke-house. nine apple trees, and one
grapevine.
One of Raphael's cherubs walk ed in
this morning as we sat at breakfast.
His face was almost angelic. Eyes as
blue as violets, regular features, ex-
quisite complexion, and bronze brown
hoir Hn sold hn hod ta,-
two quarts o. Indy meal" He was
twelve years old and could scarcely
read, having attended school but three
months. He said he never expected to
go again.
The young ladies spend their leisure
moments in making ornaments of mica.
The mica is cut into numerous oval or
square pieces, which, after being
fringed with the scissors. are sewed on
pasteboard crosses or frames.
There is a woman near here who has
made blackberries pay Her husband
started out with her one afternoon in
search of berries, but soon becom ing
tired, stretched himself in the shade of
the bushes and fell asleep. His wife
continued the fruit-picking, but was soon
attracted by large piece of mics lying
on the ground beside her. Waking her
sleepy lord, she told him she believed
she had found mica mine; but he only
laughed at her and turned over to take
another nap. The next day the woman
took pick and shovel, and returning 70
the spot, succeeded in uncovering fine
vein of mica, from which they realized
twenty thousand dollars. This woman
formerly dug ginseng in order to fur
nish her husband with money to buy
tobacco. He chews the finest cut now.
A well-known artist, who is making
sketches of primitive life in the Black
Mountains, has hard work persuading
the natives to 'pose" for him One
day he came across picturesque log
house, with loom and spinning-wheel
upon the porch, but the fair spinner OBJ
jected to being sketched. She said she
was an orphan and had no friends, and
didn't want to be put in" However,
a silver dollar Overcame her scruples.
Black Mountain Station, which con-
sists of small hotel and little else to
speak of. has been the scene of a ro-
nance such as no summer resort need
be ashamed of. 1t is an old and thread
bare plot in novels, but one unusual in
real life. Last spring a young lady
from the North came down here for her
health. 1t so happened that her photo
graph was sent to friends in England
and there met the eyes of young En-
glishman, who exclaimed: IF that
girl is as good as she looks l should like
to marry her."
Coming to America, he, too, sought
the sunny South, for his health, also,
and here in the mountains of North
Carolina, among these primitive people.
the arisrocratic Englishman met the
young lady whose face he had SO adj
mired. Novel-like, it was love at first
sight; nor was the city girl daunted at
the prospect of becoming a farmers
wife; for her lover proposed that they
settle upon a small farm in this self
same county.
Surprised at the gift of magnificent
diamond ring, she thought it necessary
to begin Caudle lectures at once, for
surely such jewels were quite beyond
their means. Finally came the confess
sion that has so often trembled on the
lips of the heroes of yellow-cOvered nov
els. That he might first gain her love
he had deceived her. He was worth
six hundred thousand dollars. A few
weeks ago the minister rode over from
his home, twenty-five miles away, and
the romance ended with quiet morn
ing wedding. Cor; Philadelphia Press.