Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-08-06

liage and have to look all the viii e
at tired horse in front Of US, painting
for breath.
Near the middle Of the day we
reach the top of the mountain at
Phillips Gap. Then heat, tired horse,
things in general, are forgotten as we
drink in the beauty of that view.
Commonplace, much-abused, mis-used
adjectives fail here, thought and feel
ing are often superior to all language.
The first thing that clearly forms
itself in our mind is line from Para
disc Lost, "Iill and dale, for earth
hath this diversity from Heaven" 1t
seems the proper thing to think of
Heaven when in the midst of such
beauty, and it does not require the
bold Imagination of Milton to think
of the warning angels as plucking
those seated hills from their founda-
TONS
The strongest impressions are not
always the most lasting, and perhaps
it is better that we have such short
while to look, since we leave with
those deep, solemn feelings still filling
our hearts and making us cast many
longing, lingering look behind. %
There are some things that people
will never finish talking of, mountain
scenery is one. No doubt, if we have
a reader, and he be a literary one, he
viii mentally wish that we read the
Hymn to Mt. Blanc, feel our little
ness, and not grapple mountain seen
ery-dear reader, we desist.
We notice particularly the change
of air OH top of the mountain; within
a very short distance it grows sensi-
bly, cooler. The breeze is pleasant,
one inhales long, deep draughts as a
thirsty man; you feel stronger, your
head clearer for these pure air-baths.
After we strike the shade, just this
side the Gap we get out and walk,
Jump across clear, shallow, little
streams, drink from springs whose
sparkling waters are cold enough to
please an Icelander, on the whole, we
thoroughly enjoy the walk.
We note the fact that in some parts
the soil is a rich loan, the wild grass
es are tall and thick, the hill-sides are
great forests of chestnut, spruce and
white pine. We exelaim on the pro-
ductivcness of the soil in the valleys
should they be once drained and
we'll titled. Our Imagination leaps
over a chasm of years and pictures
| those valleys blossoming out under
the hand of man; in fancy we hear
the whistle of steam and see the
track of civilization bringing life and
energy to utilize the splendid re-
sources of this country
We wake very suddenly from our
| prophetic vision, we look on nature
in it's wildness, .undisturbed by art.
and feel very thankful that we see
it as it is.
At house on the roadside. we get
quick dinner, find the hostess chew
ing the "cud' of reflection (that which
our great Raleigh set in motion) and
looking rather. grum at first, but
soon smiling behignly at few we'll
timed words of praise for her milk
and butter. Oh! the demagoguery Of
human naturel
About six o'clock we drive into
Boone, a pretty little village in the
heart Of the Blue Ridge. People are
beginning to realize that right here
in Watauga IS to be seen some of the
| grandest scenery that ever inspired a
| poet-soul. We promise ourselves great
pleasure in visiting some of the neigh
boring peaks, Grandfather Mt. ane
Elk Knob, the two highest in thu
county; the view from both is said t.
be especially fine.
a Normal School presided over b.
ex-Superiatendent Scarborough Is i
psogress hore Has a. good corps Q