The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-31
THE LONE GRAVE OF THE
SHENANDOAH.

gan olsinal story taken from tho Field Book Of
Dom Patti
Tho old stone tavern known through gen.
STATIONS "a tho Indian Queen, that stands on
a turn of the road down the mountains from
Sherryville TO NJ, of the Shenandoah
Valley, enjoys a landscape castle might be
proud Of. That this Is the Indian Queen
runs on tradition and general consent, for
che old-fashioned signboard that creaks Ia
front lost long since the work Of art that
pictured forth the name. Nothing remained
on the one side but dim crown OF feathers,
nearly obiterated, and two staring eyes on
the other, that, put together by the curious
observer failed to make up that imaginary
creature known to tradition and dime novels
as Her Majesty Queen Pocahontas.
Virginia's little romance Of that ilk Is
about as dim as the signboard. Pocahontas
did live and was the daughter of a chief.
But all else is the fringe-work Of fancy,
that, like the sign, would have long since
faded out but for useful purpose the ro-
nance serves, and that is, the manner in
which our loved ancestors had of account
lng for-well, say brunettes that appeared
from time to time among the noble Virgin
dams. They were considered the descend
ants of Pocahontas.
To return, however, to my story: The
view from the rude porch OF the inn is ex-
.ceedingly beautiful, for it contains one of
the loveliest portions of Tat lovely valley.
The green meadows and rich fields, with
groves and CLEANS of water, dotted by white
farm houses half hid in orchards, were all
framed in by mountains, the SUBMITS OF
which seemed to melt into the blue of heaven,
leaving the eye in doubt as to where the
rounded rocky or wooded tops ended and
the clouds began. The sulphury smoke of
battle had obscured these fields, and the
mountains had echoed back the mounting
cannon Of combatants, but at the time our
little romance opens no harm had been done
to the valley itself. Armies had marched,
fought and retreated-generally, up to that
time, the dear old flag had hurried inglori-
ously out of the row-but no great injury
bad come to the work of the farmer the
beauty of nature.
The summer sun was sinking in the lazy
west, with distant rumblings Of artillery
telling of far off combat, as a girl, some
twenty years of age, sat in a rocking chair,
on the wooden porch of the tavern, rocking
softly to and fro and gazing dreamily upon
the view before her. Her appearance
was such as to attract attention. In dress,
BEARING and expression there was a refine
ment that indicated one city bred, rather
than Of rural local origin. She was exceed
ingly attractive. with claim to beauty tina.
came under the head of handsome rather
than pretty. Her face, at rest, indicated
more force Of character than that which
ordinarily falls to the sweeter sex The per-
feet oval ended in pronounced chin, while
the slight aquiline line of her nose made that
chin aggressive. But for the full red lips of
the perfect mouth, and large dreamy eyes,
the pale face would have been too severe to
excite other than a feeling of admiration.
The expression depicted from time to
time, as the feelings changed, had wider
range than is usual to such a cast of coun-
tenance. AS her eyes wandered over the
beautiful view her face was one to admire.
when little three-year-old daughter Of
he stone tavern toddled to her and rested
fts Little head upon her knee, the long silken
6inges OF her tender eyes fell upon it as her
slender hands stroked its curly locks-and
her face was one to love. Afterward when she
gazed at brigade Of Union soldiers pitch
ing their tents ON the meadows below, scorn
end hate gave her a face to fear.
A movement below made her start. as if
to leave her chair. Then, after half rising.
she settled back and began again the monot-
onous rocking. A cavalcade of officers
was riding up the road, as If coming to the
Indian Queen.
At the head of this little escort rode a
stout, middle aged gentleman, in the uni
form Of brigadier general of the northern
army. Mounted on a superb horse he sat
with the ease of an experienced rider, his
high rounded shoulders holding q grim,
resolute head, that under other than mill
cary hat would have been repulsive in It's
.Dverity. There was FACE not 10 b tried
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