Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-25
THE BLUE RIDGE COUNTRY.
A Warrington Group.

THERxoPYL.E, RArPAHANSock Co., VA.
August -
Correspondence Of The EVENING STAR
Thermopyla, or Leonidas Pass. resting on
the bank of the Black Water river, and at tho
foot Of the Blue Ridge, is one OF the most
beautiful homesteads l have ever seen In this
state. The house, a stately old Virginia man.
sion, surrounded by q magnificent grove of
locusts with large lawn relieved by several
terraces. is just the spot one seeking health,
rest and quiet needs to find. Ii was formerly
Ownedb by DIR. Reid, one OF the wealthlest men
as also most popular physicians I'm this part OF
the state. 1t is now owned by his two daugh-
tiers, who are perfect types OF the very best
class OF southern ladies. highly cultured gen.
erous, pure and noble. but strongly in sympa-
thy with the lost cause" There are many
Washington people i'm this vicinity, among the
most prominent Of whom are Mrs. DIR. Winter
and daughter; Mr. Boughton treasurer of the
Belt Line railroad; II. b. Moulton esq. of the
District bar. and family; Captain Saxton, of the
War department. wife. sister and brother; Capt.
Wisener and family, Mrs. Seiiert and daughter.
Mrs. Richard Burton and family, Miss Roder
and Miss Boughton, also two daughters OF
Judge Brent, OF Alexandria. Some are stop
ping at WOOdvie, q short distance from this
place.
The recent rain has been the source Of great
Joy to the farmers Of this section. Thousands of
barrels of corn Will thereby be added 10 the al
ready well-flled Golfers of the farmers Of this
locality. There In an abundance OF apples.
Peaches are scarce, but other fruits are found in
the greatest quantities.
have met i'm this vicinity from the highest
and purest types of the American Anglo-Saxon
to the most flliterate and AFFECT specimens Of
automatic humanity. Some days ago called
upon man IN his cornfield, and found him and
his son blowing corn ana white and colored
woman following after them with their immense
hoes destroying the weeds, &c. He stopped,
and shortly the females came up and I was In
PRODUCED to the white one as hts .'old woman"
She was barefooted, wearing loose calico dress.
caught mp on either side by q string around
the waist. The dress extended down about
halfway between the knee and foot. I en-
gagged her in conversation and soon found
that she not only did all Of her own homework
and took care of five children. but did her own
cooking making. mending washing ironing
and scrubbng and also cultivated corn and
other products for 1.-The old man, from morning
until night, and In the fall seasons helped him
hunt possums the most of the night, and, In
addition to all Of her other virtues and duties,
observed that she had quid OF tobacco I'm her
mouth quite saficient to fili the mouth of any
ordinary four-year-Od steer The better class
are quite the reverse of this case, being modest,
chaste, pure and ladylike In all Of their conduct
and conversation, and some of the most hospita-
BILE and generous people / have ever met. I
nave found here persons kind and generous
almost to fault, the great desire of their hearts
uclHS 10 supply your every WISH
few days ago We took q drive over the
mountains to Luray cave, a distance OF twenty
three miles. The scenery was delightful in the
extreme. We went through Thornton's Gap, O
spot somewhat familiar to me- Is i'm 1863 after
Gettysburg. l was In the advanced command
which came down on this side of the mountains
while Lee and his forces, whom Meade had per-
mitted to cross the Potomac, went down on the
other side. We had skirmsh at almost all OF
these gaps For miles on this side OF the noun
tains there extends a vast valley Of some of the
finest farming land I'm the state. Large droyes
OF cattle NAV be seen, and fields really white
with the herds of sheep.
Last Friday evening was the event OF the season
at WoOdville, when the drama entitled "Tho
Last LOaf' was presented In Temperance hall
The hall was crowded to Its utmost capacity;
standing room was ct Q premium The exer-
cises began with IN instrumental duet by Dr.
Phillips Of Rappahannock, and Clarence Moul-
ton. Of Washington. ID. c.; then came q solo by
Miss Miller. This was followed BY the frst act
OF the play, the following persons participating:
q. B. Walden. s. Vanhorn, Dr. Cooper, w. T.
Yancy, r. s. yanhorn, Mrs N. II. wisener, Miss
ID. n. Fletcher and Miss L. L. MILAN Then
came . duet by Clarence Mouiton and DIR.
Phillips followed BY Q solo by Miss A. n. Winter,
rendered In her most charming style. rs also
solo by Mr.. BOughton; then came the second act
OF the play which was followed by another solo
by Mrs. Winter; after which came the 81 ppef
and sumptuOus affair m was. All OF the per
sons taking part In the entertainment are de-
serving great credit for the manner I'm which
they rendered their respective parts. II. b. n.