Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-05-28

rays Of the sun broke through the thick
branches and played over the weather.
stained boards like death shades over an
old mems soul. Oh how memory carried
us back into the calm sweetness of those old
days when as a boy we were so often sent
to similar places. Crossing the stream, on
bridge OF primitive build composed OF the
slabs of logs, we turned a corner and on
the south side observed an entrance into
which the streams of sunlight were pour
ing, ascending little platform that rested
even with this entrance, we observed a ven.
cradle old man seated on q burr at work
with q hammer and chisel--so closely was
his attention directed to what he was en-.
gagged at that he did not notice our presence
until after we had given the usual saluta-
| ton.
Impressed with the simplicity OF the pic.
ture and satisfied that this old man and old
mill had been making history for many
years we addressed him as follows: Sir,
you have rural picture here full of mean.
ing and poetry. Have you any objection to
telling US something of your life as well as
of the surroundings and settlement of this
immediate placer The old man dropped
his chisel and hammer, arose from his seat,
as twilight comes from the grave of the dead
day, and seating himself in an old chair,
with his honest, frank countenance full in
the sun, replied, my name is Simon Barb,
my father came to this place from Loudoun
county, Va, in 1908; was born in that old
house that you see yonder on the edge Of
the meadow in 1910. This mill was built in
1916. | remember 1t well and often brought
! my father cup of water or came for him
to come TO his meals whilst it was being
built. The machinery that is in 1t was
made here-the water wheel has often been
repaired, but 1t has been going round evcG1
since that time and have been going round
with 1t, both of US will doubtless stop about
the same time. have never been beyond
Mt. Jackson, distance of twelve miles,
save once when l drove to Winchester in
my wagon; it is not likely that l will ever
go again. This meadow stretching before
US cleared up in 1904, il was set in timothy
10 1905, has never been reset and we have
cut two crops of grass from it every year
since"
The general tenor of the old mans story
was SO sad, SO significant, that it depressed
US beyond measure. Turning aside, we said :
With your permission we will go to the
house and get glass of water. Rising at
once he proceeded TO lead the way. The
house was of logs, one story, southern
front with an old dlapidated porch running
the entire length. We were invited into
what was evidently the reception room, as
well as a chamber. 1t was very plainly
furnished. An old spinning wheel that
had likewise been "going round" for nearly
q hundred years, was resting against one Of
the walls; neat but comfortable bed was
on the other side, whilst small table and
few chairs composed the balance of the fur.
niture Over the fireplace we noticed
square hole of about eight by ten and prob
ably six inches in depth. This, we learned,
was where the old man placed his pine Tag.
OTIS which furnished light for the evening
In this secluded spot, shut out from the
world, this old man was born and has lived
his wife and two children being his only
companions Diogenes lived in his tub and
when Alexander asked him what he could
do for him, received in reply the answer:
"Stand out OF my sunshine" Doubtless If
President Cleveland, IN the h6erality of his
political patronage, q were to say to this old
man, "What can do for you ?" he would
receive the reply, Leave me alone, my do
main covers thousand acres; have trod
its every path and drank from Its living
streams from infancy. For nearly eighty
years | have lived contentedly in the sun.
light and shadow of these mountains every
stone is q hooking memory. The evening
of life seems to have fading colors, but de.
sire to be left here where was born and
await the gradual approach of the coming
dawn OF another and brighter lie"
Thanking our newly-made acquaintance
for his politeness and attention, we pro
ceeded 10 the head of Stony Creek. 1t was
avid, weird and frightful walk. and after
a mile or SO had been traversed reached the
desired place The head or fountain is a
dark cavern, semi.circular in shape and
reaches some distance under the side Of the
mountain. Fine trout have been caught
| xpbtlof 10 hat
ever been reached by lead line, though often
tried.
Some years ago, under circumstances of a
very pleasant character, we carved the name
of friend ON birch tree that stood close
by and our own under it. On examination
we could catch faint trace, just enough to
call upa little memory that was stow ed
away in soft corner OF our heart
The head of Stony Creek is favorite
place with the tourists and visitors at Ork.
ney. The artist has fingered here enrap
tured and vainly sought to catch some of
the picturesque views. The poet has often
dreamed here and warped into song its rug
ged grandeur. The pine trees which line
the cliffs of the glen seem 10 whisper almost
audiby 10 the soft breeze, whilst down each
winding ravine rolls an exultant tide, hers
and there sparkling in the splendors of the
light OF the sun and then stretching out in
some gloomy shade as though seeking rest
On each fitful wind comes the music of the
wildwood mingling with the fragrance of
the wild flowers from Natures pastures
All In all. it would seem rural palace built
for the gods and muses. to hold court. Per
haps some of our readers may think that we
have colorcd this picture too highly, but let
them come To Orkney in July or August
and they can, If they will, see hundreds
more charming than the one we have at
tempted TO portray.
In our ride up the valley the country pre-
sented the most pleasing and inviting rs
pect. The farmers, we learned, were full of
hope and everything seemed full of promise
The most pleasing sight We caught was thu
herds Vi cattle up 10 their eyes in grass Il
may herc be remarked that the valley is
gradually becoming. stock raising region,
the slightest drought in consequence OF the
limestone, effecting seriously the wheat
crops
The enterprising citizens of this county.
Shenandoah, have organized an Agricultu
raj Society at Woodstock, of which Colonel
Maddux is President. The first fair will be
held in the fall and Mr. Denham, the head
Of the Agricultural Department, will deity.
er the address. The grounds are said to
have the finest natural advantages of any
~ shc esotc- AuO Will NC one Oh
the prominent features.
Political interest is already booming up |
in this State. There is no danger Of the !
Democrats losing any of the ground gained,
but there will be decided and heated con |
test between the Democratic aspirants for
the nominations.
The length that our letter has already
reached precludes US from giving a descrip
ton Of the ride from Mt Jackson TO Ork.
ney, distance Of twelve miles. 1t is per.
fectly glorious, The road has been spen
didly liveried by the proprietor of Orkney.
and seated in light bret, with a spirited
brace, dashing over the hills, climbing the
mountains, winding around the curves. hur.
rying through the valleys, produces an ex.
hiaration that cannot be expressed through
the medium of words.
Another incident, by way of conclusion,
Stopping for q few moments yesterday at a
little farm house, and Immediately on one
OF the mountain roads, a short distance from
Orkney, In conversation with plain un.
sophisticated farmer asked or mt the FIJI.