The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-05-17
Hill Country of Judea Items.

away, but has lett the SufeSI emblem u
proof of its fading-abundance of fruit il
miniature. Though the exquisite bloom
of the fruit trees and its sweet fragranc,
that might have charmed Calypro and he
nymphs, is gone, still nature is not less en-
chanting, for she seems more than eve
inspired and all inspiring with Venus
Amora and Pan and all the other terres
! tial deities The forests are robed in theil
splendid attire of foliage and are alike Ell
amoring to the poet or philosopher, or tt
loafers. the most worthless members of so
ciety. Amid leafy forests, verdant fields
bubbling fountains and murmuring brooks
the imagination is lost in realities which
language cannot portray. Surrounded by
such prospect in the Hill Country Of
Judea, how natural is it for lis with the
ancient Greeks, the great people Of classic
lore to fancy this enchanting scene the
abode of numerous deities, and to convert
each stately oak and lofty pine into q
temple of gods and nymphs and to feel that
every rustling wind that stirs the leaves
or waves the grasses and cereals, is but
tuning the harps of zephyrs OF with the
philosopher to consider the power of that
great central orbit which, by it's magic
power of heat and light converts, as it were
dead matter into life and makes aparadise OF
this otherwise barren world. The leaf and
the blade are the laboratories in which this
great chemist works. There our breath
and the smoke of our fires and the dead
mineral OF the earth, are converted into
woody fiber, grain or fruit.
| At this delightful season we had the
pleasure OF attending the Lexington Pres
bytery held at Messy Greek church, one of
the otf-shoots OF old Stone church, built in
1747 by the heroic Presbyterian Scotch
Irish that originally settled this beautiful
| Valley. OF the representatives of this
presbyterial district there was an uncom-
mon full attendance.
ereconnoiteredt the Messy Greek church
yard and were forcibly and feelingly i'm
pressed by the tOmbs in memoriam of
young heroes who fell during the late de-
structive and sangninary war that con-
vnlsed this mighty nation. A large pro-
portion of these tombs are in memory of
the gallant Bells of Long Glade. The
writer could not refrain from shedding
tears, for these Bells were schoolmates and
friends OF his three brothers lost during
the immortal period of family and national
distress, from 1861 to 1865 Strange is it
that so cruel and unjust a war could ever
have been waged in this boosted land of
liberty and justice. But fanatics and hot
headed politicians had completely blinded
the minds OF the people to reason and had
blown their passion into a blaze. The peo-
pie became fanatic. They longed for each
others blood and sanity was restored to
the nation only by the wisdom of few
great political physicians. Thanks to ex-
perience and reason. that sectionalism, the
chief cause of our national lunacy, is fast
passing away. The majority of the peo-
pie OF the rebellious States now advocate
national unity and their highest hope is for
the perpetuation of an undivided Union.
The bitter heart rending of the past
is forgotten, and the brightest hopes
are entertained for the future. 1t
seems to be an ordinance of nature that
good must always come out of evil, for by
bitter experience only do men acquire
wisdom.
At Presbytery we had the pleasure of
meeting with our friend Mr. Samuel For
rer for the first time since his return from
Florida. He gave us a graphic description
OF the land OF flowers, and we feel indebted
to him for some invaluable suggestions.
1t would be exceedingly gratifying and in
structiye to the public if Mr. F. would EN-
body his tropical observations in an article
for the VIRGINIAN.
Mr.. Joseph I'll. Craun, one of the most
intelligent and successful farmers and
sawyers in Augusta county, is the popular
candidate for Supervisor in North River
District. No one is better qualified for
the position than Mr.. Craun.
Messrs. j. III. Alexander, j. H. Craun,
j. n. Craun, J. Craun and Michael Hollar,
are now on trip to Kansas.
Mr.. J. H. Alexander was offered few
weeks since $500 for two fine horses, but
refused to take the offer.
Mr.. Daniel M. Craun, one of the most
expeditions men to turn off work. is so far
ahead with his farm work that he has time
to boss Mr.. J. H. Alexander's corps of
hands in Mr.. A. s absence.
A few days since Mr.. Luther Erman sold
a four-year-old mule for 5000.
Mr.. John H. Baker, one of our most en-
terprising young men, has returned from
taking his cattle to his grazing farm in
Randolph, w. Va.
Miss Louisa Craun, daughter of the
Hon. j. F. Craun, of Rockingham, is WIS.,
iting her sister, Mrs. Isaac Baker, near
StoneWall
Miss Emma Trotter, the accomplished
daughter of Archibald Trotter, decd, of
this county, who has for several years past
been making her home with Nh Cyrus in
Illinois, is now with her uncle Cyrus
Browns.
Mrs Fannie Driver, wife of A. B. Driver,
of Mt. Clinton, Rockingham county, is
visiting her father, R. A. Curry, with her
two beautiful little daughters.
The Hon. Mr.. Marston, judge of the SUI
preme Court of Michigan, arrived on Sat
urday last at the home of his father-in-laW,
MI. Sullivan, near Willow Spout, where
his wife and three vigorous little boys
have been staying for sometime. We
have not yet had the pleasure of meeting
with the judge, but have been informed
that he is not only profound in law, but
also man OF uncommon erudition and of
liberal views
Mr.. I. a. Woods, who has been board
ing in Staunton for the last six months. and
reading medicine under Dr. Fauntleroy, is
now boarding at his home, Willow Spout.
and will ride to town twice week to
be quiZzed by the doctor. Dr. Fauntleroy
says that Mr.. Woods is making as
rapid progress in medical science as any
student he has ever known Such eompli-
ments from SO high source can surely be
appreciated.
MI. John Hartman, one of our most in
telligent and esteemed young friends, will
start for West Point next week to stand
the admission examination Nh. HI. will
certainly takea high stand i'm his classes for
In