Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-11-10
BUNKER HILL LETTER.
Special Correspondence ISDEpENDEsr.

NOVEMBER, 7th, 1SS3.-My let
ter this week must be prepared
with an apology, for / know that
your readers viii feel disappoint-
ed when they read a letter that
has no merits but q conglomer-
alton ofwords and empty thoughts
which can nei her edify nor in
terest. A heavy cold, together
with a hard days work, has I'M
fitted me for anything that re-
quires mental power. This, as
well as the last few days, hrs been
delightful weather-bright sun
shine and balny breezes, which is
we'll calculated to impress us with
the beauties of nature and teach
us how to appreciate the many
rich blessings we enjoy in this life.
1 feel grateful indeed that my af-
Fiction is nothing worse than a
cold When I look around me
and see those who spend days,
nonths, and even years in agon-
ling pain, those wao Go not now,
no. never care to again enjoy the
grandeur of our beautiful valley
from loss of sight, those who can
never hear the mellow tones of
mother S voice or those whose rea-
son has been dethroned by some
misfortune in life and which places
them ontside the pale of society,
and virtually entombs them be-
yond the vale of tears, in a world
of visionary dreams and in obliv-
ion, the question often sug-
gests itself !: Why do we com
plain at such trifing affections
and yet enjoy so much in this
world? Not bit of use in it.
If every one had the capacity for
sneezing, so fully developed as I
happily have, colds would be by
far a greater annoyance to those
who are ever rid of them, than the
ones who have them. / make it
lively for some of my neighbors
these mornings, who like to in
dulge in a morning nap, whilst
some of them say, they would
rather hear my sneeze than the
lowing of a cow, the bark of a cur,
the growing Of a cock or anything
else except the braying of an ass.
I'll wager a pint of butter milk
with any man in the county or
State, that I can sneeze louder,
oftner and longer, and wind up
with less tears and a redder nose
than any other man / had no
ton once to enter the arena as "a
champion but none of my friends
and neighbors gave me much en-
couragement so abandoned the
idea.
Mr.. John M Holmes, of Balti-
more, is now visiting relatives in
this neighborhood We were
glad to see his genial face once
more in places where we have
spent so many happy days, and
where we have had so many hearty
laughs over his inexhaustable
fund of anecdotes which seems to
be as aboundant as ever Mr.
Holmes, / think was born at
Brucetown, in Frederick county,
Va, but spent his time from youth
to manhood in and around Bun
ker Hill. He learned as a trade,
coach trimming and pattern max
ing and his aptness and superior
skill soon worked him into higher
places. He removed to Cumber-
land in early life and engaged in
railroading. His diligence, integ-
rity ard trustworthy career recon-
mended him to the notice of Pres
ident Pierce, who appointed him
Mail Agent on the B. & O. road
between Baltimore and Cumber-
land, which position he held until
the expiration of his (Pierces) adj
ministration, when he removed to
Baltimore and engaged in the
grocery business, under the firm
name Of Bryant, Tinsley & Holmes
in which he continued for some
time, after which he went into the
tobacco business and continues to
operate in that line, Mr.. H. has,
by close application to business
and square dealing, accumulated
a competency to comfort him in
the decline of life.
| regret to learn that family af-