The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-08-16
The Rock Alum Springs.
GEN. HOODS CHILDREN -RECREATIoN
ABOUT THE SPRINGS AND THOSE WHO
ENJOY 1.-THE COMING BALL-yICTo-
RIA FURNACE.
Editorial correspondence


RIA FURNACE.
Editorial Correspondence.
The nights and mornings at the Rock
bridge Alum for the past ten days have
been intentionally cool for those who
are not provided with winter clothing
for a change to suit the temperature. Fires
have been in demand for the more delicate,
and especially for those from the far
Southern States. The inyigorating lnfiu-
ence Of the crisp air, however, is valued
as much as the tonic character OF the
waters Each has its beneficial effect, and
combined add Zest to the table offerings
and active outdoor exercises, both for the
pedestrian and equestrian. The rides and
drives around the grounds are smooth and
inviting, and number of suitable private
turn-outs, as well as those Of the well-ap-
pointed livery Of Mr.. $. t. Thornburg,
afford opportunity for enjoyment Tor those
who prefer this mode of exercise. The
shaded walks and secluded hooks are the
|
dies in groups and ladies with escorts may
be seen seated on benches under the state
ly trees. or sympathetically converslng UNI
der emblematic evergreens, the gentle
zephyrs the only auditor to what is said
| in tender, soft, magnetic whispers. Sew
eral Of our Supreme Judges have become
enchanted by the beauty and charm OF
these rural retreats, whether by the deep
green foliage, rustling in the breezes, or
pairs of expressive brown eyes, set in
| lovely smiling faces supported by 1.-the and
| graceful forms, am unable to say
| Certain it is there is partiality for iso-
| lation, whether under the rule that two
are company when three are not, is for
them to explain. Aflinities appear to have
| met at any rate.
There can be seen every day romping
| and sporting with playmates, a handsome
| boy of about twelve summers, who attracts
attention everywhere from his symmetri-
cal form and expressive and regular fea-
lures. He is a son of the distinguished
and gallant General John i. Hood, OF
Southern Confederacy fame, and the
adopted child of Mr.. Russell, a wealthy
Mississippi planter. The tender care and
| warm affection bestowed upon him by his
adopted parents-the lady All accomplished
| christian woman and the gentleman an
| intelligent, genial kind-hearted Southron
make the orphan boy forget that he is
! such, and realize all the restraining and ele-
| waiting influences of a home presided over
| by those whose hearts are touched and con-
| trolled by emotions which find happiness
in doing good to others. The smiling, eX-
pressive face of the manly little fellow, is
as a ray of sunshine wherever he goes and
that he is great favorite on the grounds
is not surprising. 1t will be remembered
that Gen. Hood and his wife died at New
Orleans of yellow fever four years ago,
leaving eleven helpless children, with no
patrimony for their support. The eldest
child. a daughter, was taken away by the
scourge at the same time, and an infant
child, brief, beautiful, chaste as morn
ing dew, sparkled, was eXhaled, and went
W IItdNeu, WHcIt lltUlc CHlHleH ildhC
up the Kingdom. The two eldest liv-
ing daughters were taken by Mr.. Maui
ny, relative Oh Mrs. Hood, and are
now being educated in Germany with his
daughters. John B. Hood, jr.. the eldest
boy, is the one adopted into the family of
Mr.. Russell. A pair of twin girls are the
adopted children of Mr.. Adams, of New
Y ork !; another pair Of twin girls are in
the family of Mr.. Mckee. of Mississippi
another boy, Duncan, by name, is the
adopted child Of a wealthy maiden lady of
New Y ork, Miss Furnesse, [ believe
and another, Oswald, is in the family OF
another New Yorker, residing near the
empire city. Thus have the fatherless been
guidance of kind hearted gentlemen and
ladies, whose means are ample and char
acters suited to their proper training in the
paths OF virtue and usefulness. A Singu-
lar coincidence is related in connection
with three of the gentlemen who have
thus. taken the place of the fathers of these
interesting children. Messrs. Russell,
Adams and Mckee were class mates at
Yale College. They are all married, but
neither has children. Without concert of
action, OF even knowing what the others
were about to do, each applied for and was
given the charge he now has, and will
cherish it with as much tenderness and So
licitude as though it sprang from his own
loins. The bright boy, who is now here
has a precocious military taste and a yearn-
ing, at this early age, for the army. Nh.
Russell will study the bent Of his nature,
and will spare no pains OF expense to
develop his manhood in the right direc-
tion.
There are now six hundred visitors at
the Rockbridge Alum-l number consider
ably in excess Of the most sanguine expec-
tations OF the management. There are
many very attractive and lovely ladies
among them, married and single, hailing
from different States and presenting diff
ferent types OF beauty. OF all this intel
ligent and apparently happy throng, l have
not seen one that does not show the gentle
breeding of the lady. Innate modesty,
embellished by careful culture and adorned
by rich yet becoming and tasteful apparel,
impress every observer with the true wo-
manhood which graces the walks and
lawns, the parlorS and ballroom of this
lovely and health-giving summer retreat.
1t would be invidious, if not unkind, were
| to attempt to discriminate among this
galaxy Of female loneliness. To attempt
to do SO, would offend my own sense of
propriety, as well, possibly, as that Of the
fair creation who may not have fallen I'M
der my eye. That there are grades and va
rieties of types of beauty, is not question.
But tastes differ and were | to mention
names as representing my own estimate of
the superlatiye and comparative, the ac-
curacy of the conclusion might be doubted
and my own judgment be the subject of
unfriendly criticism. without doing any
positive good. So / will not toss the
apple of discord into such q bright array
of charms, but leave the mystery of the
.'most beautiful, " the Helen of the bevy,
to those either more reckless OF daring
than myself.
Among the gentlemen here are num-