The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1883-01-11
FRAGMENTS FROM THE SOUTH.

I have often thought | would put in readable
shape the rough draughts and essays which wrote
during a long and delightful stay in the South.
Care has been taken TO maintain local colOring and
verisiniliiude the whole might present faithful
likeness to that poetic and sunny cline, of which
then thought, and still think, little is known to
the external world shall not cndeavOr to depict
the half Oriental character its mixture of heroic,
poetic, and chivalrc, record the ancient aud re-
gal traditions concerning the ancestors who first
breathed that salubrious air. l shall eonfne myself
to facts. as they presented themselves to me- few
years after the soil drank the loyal blood of fall
len braves. The papers, thus rudely sketched, have
lain in my portfolio for years. Several cast
aside, when attempting to arrange them for the
press and weightier matter consumed the rightful
time-wrightier because their claim was latest and
scenes freshest. In thus rcarranging, have gath
cred the lost fragments, and endeavored TO render
more complete and more worthy the indulgent re-
ception which hope they will receive. The years
of sehoollife were at an end and often did ehafe at
their seeming length, witnessing freedom and relief
only in the dim future and shades of life. remem-
Der to have left those old halls with feeling of ten
derness and sadness, which deemed could never
feel in moments of rebellion. But the dark hour
was suddenly turned into brilliant MONDAY when it
and aunt to the homes and graves of my ancestors.
was to tread their halls feas; at their board, and
n partake of their bountenus hospitality the ut
termost. \ new world was opening before me. Al
ready NV fancy ran riot and built stately castles,
clothed in the evergreen ivy of a SIMMER elime-eas
ties whose vaporous turrets lost in the blue
nists of heaven and whose foundations dissolved in
the Inists before the morning The trunk,
wherein had been stored the tiresome school-day
lore packages of pink and blue bowed letters, and
faded flowers We suddenly transformed into a mag
nifeent dancing hall, wherein | tread the may
waltz, to music fit for scenes alone like that. The
worn and irksone books fondled with
love. as placed them away forever, and l gazed
upon item tenderly, my true but silent nstruc
tors of the past In due time. the former brilliant
hall shed its splendor and stood before me in its
natural size. awaiting the pomp and ceremony to be
used in arranging for the journey. In the few days
of preparation, l remember to have looked all
mankind kindly. 4 identifying atmosphere sur
rounded all nature. In my great joy, one day, ac
tually embraced the house eat When it was sug.
gested new trunk should take the place of the old
one, seorned the thought-new trunks did not show
travel, and no casual observer should know, from
my equipage was a sight seeing girl, who had ar
rived at the dignifed age of seventeen summers.
On the morning of departure. before making my
adeux, family rember of plueking two sprigs of
.livc-forever," and placing them above my chamber
door, not forgetting TO title item desired, and
wondering if. when returned would they be nigh
unto each other, if stern fate would decree n
witLered and deadened life. Feminine reader, do
yea know Of that everything plantl If so, you
will be charitable to this bit Of sentiment, and re-
member only bright and shining spot in your
youthful days. At last the farewell had been said
IN IL.
father, which viii live for in the memory of her
to whom they were spoken. Methinks they are for
gotten by him.
\ monotonous ride all day and night delightful
sail down the Mississippi River, and a days
land journey. brought to the city of Nashville,
the Cumberland River, and the capital Of Ten
nessee-one Of the proudest and most beautiful cit,
les the American Continent. 1t is regularly laid
out, with moderately wide streets, handsomely paw
ed with native stone, and shaded from immense
English mulberry trees. which meet and form n con
tinuous bower from street to another. The cap
to which is on Capitol HILL symmetrical emf
Ecncc, resembling Indian mound, CROOKS the
entire city. This magnificent building is construct
cd, inside and out Of beautiful fossferous lime
stone and is three stories high At each end, there
is an Ionic porieo of six columns From the centre
of the roof, is a tower two hundred and six feet
two feet high surmouuted by circular CELL thirty
seven feet in height twentyss feet and eight inches
in diameter. with a futed COrinihian column, de-
signed from the ekoragic monument of Lyscrates.
at Athens. This grand Oriental structure is ap-
preached by four avenues. which rise from terrace
TO terrace by broad marble steps. The entire cost
is estimated at one million dollars The city is the
proud mother Of six ourishins universities. chiefest
OF which is Z" Vanderbilt" named after Cornelius
Vanderbilt. who gave five hundred thousand dollars
toward ia erection; and Fiske University Of
much just fame 1t my happy lot to atteod a
musical jubilee. with chorus of two hundred and
fifty voices, in one of the halls. As listened to
that inspiring melody, thought how, indeed, will
sound the Grand Anthem swelled by all Nations of
the earth. when they are gathered together! Cum
berland, the oldest college in the State, has fine
library, of several thousand volumes and a very
tensive and rich mineral and geological museum. |
The lovely and palatal homes bordering the city, |
are studies in themselves. Velvet lawns, whereon
stand bronze stays with magnificent antlers reared
among vine-elad trees groups of imposing statu- |
airy; OF most lnxuriant dropping plants, and |
dreamy fountains, unite in forming scene sugges
alone of Pompiian glory. cannot forego mention |
ing the Hermitage, the celebrated home Of Andrew |
jackson, situated twelve miles east Of the city.
This oldfashned home is surrounded with q eontin-
ued air Of interest; built after the Of most
Southern homes. the wide hall is ianked on both |
sides by spacious rooms, with oaken floors, and /
heavy winding stairs. Tho library is furnished with
a fireplace nine feet wide, with six brass hredogs,
representing soldiers presenting Ii is said the
ease-loving slaves would drag in immense log, |
and place it upon the irons. which would keep fire
for the season. The single log room, the earlier
home, has been turned into rustic summer. house,
over which chambers trumpet ereeper, identifying
and adjoining the dove-eote Of the lovers. The
deadly weapon used in the duel between Andrew
Jackson and Mr.. Dickinson, the banks Of the /
Il" Red River in Kentucky, is one Of the her-looms
Witnessed By the visitor II i stated that Dickin-
son died at set Of sun. not knowing his ball had |
struck jackson, who prided himself, decided was
his courage. upon not letting his antagonist know
lie had been struck. The old forest trees that have
dropped their aufumna foliage for years still rear
their high heads, with interloeked boughs, like
friendly giants embracing Crepe myrtle bowers,
with lovely rustic seats invite the lovers steal
away and breathe in willing ears the old Jet ever
new story of devotion. Graceful olesnders sway to
and fro while frem up the valley i. borne the even
ing zephyr, heavy with the Intoxicating fragrance Of
the magnolia. On yonder sunny slope, i. the rest
ing place of her whose love was born Of injury and
whose injured soul fitted away the dauning Of
a beautiful morning, when revenge had .stiAted
its thirst beside it, the loyal lover whose check
cred career il familiar 10 all school boys
VIII not linger longer upon the scene, but hasti
ly pass to the city Of Murfeesboro. Approaching
the city, thought il must nave been the earlier
home Of the poet and artist; picturesque is ts st
uation- To the east, and in the distance. the
Cumberland Mountains. whose misty submits and
bold bases rise subliaely, as imperishable and
eternal guard, planted by Times old hand, when
ehaos became order. In the distance i. the bold
profile Of loant Hood towering like giant scuti-
mel high above all others. ard rivallibg Mount
Washington in proportions Grand old pines and
eedars cover the base Of the mountains, while
onward TO the top. running pine and balsan Of Cir
Gracefully drape and cover the cold, gray stone Of
the sum,rits- To the south and east Of the city,