Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-07-29
For the SPECTATOR.
Pleasant Visits in Augusta County.
MAPLE MANsE. July 17th. 1991

For the SPECTATOR.
Pleasant Visits in Augusta County.
MAPLE MANsE, July 17th, 1884.
, Dear Spectator: After pleasant day,
, passed in Deerfield, your correspondents
iourneyed towards Stribling Springs and
vicinity. It seems to me that if the royal
} Poet had known Of this quiet, restful place
he would have used his wished-for wings
in seeking a months lodging where he
could have rested and recuperated, and not
been in the wilderness either There is no
prettier picture in my mental chamber of
imagery than Stribling, with mine host,
charming hostess, and 'John" in the fore
ground.
i Never did harvest scenes appear more in
teresting than they did at that time upon
passing into the Valley, few miles east,
during that summer afternoon. Not a
reaper nor twine-binder to be seen, though,
from modest eminence, a dozen harvest
ing parties were in view, hard at work in
as many fields. Brawny muscle reigned
supreme, and welded rake and cradle, en-
livened by jest and snatches of song. Near
the setting of the sun, the hospitable home
where live the amiable children of the labe
VIM. B. Cochran, ESQ.,, was reached,
wherein several charming days were passed
in manner TO be most pleasantly remem-
bered.
Sabbath morning was occupied in wor-
Shipping with the Union church congrega-
| ton, where DIR. HendrOn and Bro. Walker
have ministered SO usefully in other years,
and where other brethren have also put
forth some of their best efforts since. The
building has been greatly changed, and the
interior so reconstructed as not to be re-
cognized. Had the writer been carried
there blindfolded, he would have been una
BILE to tell where he was upon having the
bandages removed, SO changed is every
thing. Times change, and churches as well
as people change with them. 1t was a
pleasure to meet Bro. Tuttle, the present
Pastor pro tenn, and his excellent lady She
is a native of Augusta county. Bro. T.
has been an ecclesiastical Texas-ranger for
some years, and seems to have the vim and
snap becoming such stirring experience.
The people are much attached to him, and
| it would be source Of regret were he not
| to see it his duty to remain their Pastor.
1t was also great pleasure to meet with
many other cherished friends of long stand
| ing and several members of DIR. Hendren's
| family. Were it not for the fear of offend |
ing good taste, special mention would be
made of Miss Harriet's useful and efficient
service, as well as of Mrs. Walkers self |
sacrificing work. must not forget to re-
call the pleasure of meeting my Lone Foun- |
tain friend, Mr.. Gilkeson, to whose lavish |
hospitality so much that is pleasant will be |
ever duly remembered with grateful appre-
citation. May he live to be mate for Me- |
thuselah, should he continue to have plate |
for hungry preachers at the Lone Fountain
from summer to summer.
Among the family relics at the Cochran
mansion are portraits of DR.. VIM. Boys and |
his wife, persons that were well known in
Staunton society In the best days of the |
golden past.
Upon leaving this interesting home, and |
the dear young friends living there, a pleas
ant journey by Parrassus, Moscow, and |
Spring Hill ended at the home of the late |
DIR. Thomas Gamble, remembered as the |
'.good physician" of the Augusta 'Hill
Country of Judea" long yearSago. The
teresting event of that days journey was |
the time passed at Mr.. Andrew Crawfortl's, |
where cold water and nice things too nu-
merous to mention were given in lavish |
profusion by the ladies of his well-ordered |
home.
-nrl--a-.->A-. C4--li- l>1-.-z.
glided sweetly and peacefully by, cheered
by everything to be enjoyed in o typical
Augusta county home, bountiful table, in-
telligent, Christian conversation, sacred |
music, and devotional services. Members |
Of the party attended the Old Stone church |
Sabbath morning and were edited by re-
ligious exercises conducted by Messrs. |
Sprunt and Booker. 1t was the day for |
dedicating the chapel at Burltown. Though
invited, it was not your correspondent S |
pleasure to be present at this very interest
service in the afternoon.
The presence of Sprunt, Booker, and |
Laird, with an immense outpouring of ap-
preciative friends of the good work left |
nothing to be desired. more extended |
notice Of this commendable enterprise and |
interesting dedicatory occasion will proba- |
bly, appear in IN early isiue OF the Atlantic |
Presbyterian.
While in this vicinity, one of the pleasant |
events was to meet Mrs. Dr. Handy; happy |
in the love of friends, and glad to be amid |
the scenes where some OF the most event
full days of her life were passed. Attended |
by Miss Mary Walker nothing could be
more enjoyable for her than visits to the |
homes Of fondly cherished friends.
Good old DR.. Handy sleeps well after
lifc's fitful day. One by one those who |
loved him in life are coming to join him;
one of my best friends, VIM. Crawford, |
among the number. Taking him for all in
ALL where will one find better friend than |
this precious man, whose princely mansion, |
so near at hand, was the preachers well |
come home.
After this prosperous journey, asis hoped |
by Gods will, your correspondent and his |
party reached Maple Manse, and this comes |
from a thankful pen.
Yours, as ever, 5. c. RIBBLER.