Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-05-23
m x1Rc,uIA.s MOUNTAINS.
Manners ana customs OF a Peculiar
People
lcorr. New York SUM-

Some portions Of Virginia are shut In
from the great world by a succession OF
mountain ranges, says a Rutland, Md,
correspondent Of the New York Sun. The
inhabitants of the hooks have peculiar
manners and customs. They see nothing
aud hear little Of what is going On bo.
yond the mountain ranges. In the sum
mer and fall Of 1882 was one Of corps
Of engineers engaged Ia the construction
OF the New River railroad. tits n branch
Of the Norfolk & Western railroad, run
ming through Giles county. Virginia, and
Mercer county. West Virginia. We
were in one OF the most retired sections
OF these States. With the natives time
has no value whatever. Nothing il
done to-day that can be put of until
tomorrow. With few exceptions they
lead shiffless sort OF n life. In which
they are ineradicably born as in original
sin. Many amusing incidents occurred
In our sojourD there. A native OF brighter
mind than his associates told me that
when the first wagon appeared in that
country its driver was troubled by u
number of men who kept dodgng in aud
out of the bushes on each side OF the
road, aud watching the wagon with
great interest. He finally stopped his
horse aud demanded an explanation.
They replied that they had never seen u
wagon before, aud that they wanted TO
see when the hind wheels would catch
up with the fore wheels. The same
man told me the story OF boy who had
never seen a biscuit When one was
given 10 him he turned it over and over,
and finally said that no was going to put
n coal Of fire on the dumb things back
to make it poke out its head.
On one rainy day, unfit for field duty,
we all stayed ia camp. A bridge on
which the track had been laid fronied
the camp. It had just been laid over
East river. Two men and dog we're
approaching Il on tho opposite side of
tho stream. On reaching the abutment
they hositated moment. Then one OF
them boldly took tho stringpiece. The
swift running water dazed him, and,
turning to his companion, he shouted:
"Down, Jim. down. Suiiiag the action
to the word, he dropped ON his hands
and knees and rawled vigorously toward
the opposite shore. His comrade fol-
lowed, but the old dog walked along
quietly aud serenely, amid roar Of
laughter from he camp, without turn
ing to the right or left. The stringpie,e
was so broad that child might have
walked over In safety.
Aside from some fellows who had
been Ia the army, none of the natives
had ever seen u railroad. Even the
veterans regarded the cars with an awe
akin to that of the old negro when he
saw his first steamboat. When the
construction train began to run, the in
habitants Of dwellings near the road
displayed an extraordinary interest.
Each family WAS strung on the fence in
front Of its abode, eagerly awaiting the
advent of the iron horse. II father
had not enough children of his own he
borrowed enough from his neighbors to
make an imposing spectacle. The shri'l
whistle OF II locomotive brought men,
women and children Of all ages, sizes,
shapes and conditions down from the
mountains. Ono evening a bevy OF rus
tic beauties wore standing near the
track, with eyes dlstended and mouth
agape, watching train in silent wonder.
Suddenly there was sharp whistle
from the locomotive. A girl jumped in
the air as though she had been shot. 1t
was long time before she recovered
sufficiently to express her astonishment.
On another occasion two men saw
train. One of them said: There she
comes; but amt she beauty?"
His companion repli,d "Ah, If only
had my good coat, wouldn't l go off on
her. thought"
One day u special train carrying the
president Of the road and other officials
came down on tour Of inspection. A
party of natives thought it would be a
glorious thing to ride ON q palace ear.
They waited near the track, not doubling
that the train would stop for them when
signaled. 1t sped past them despite
vigorous waving of red handkerchiefs
and loud cries Of "Hold on, thar? The
party was terribly disappointed at the
lack of courtesy shown by the railroad
officials.