Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-10-15
Shenandoah Valley Railroad soon

strikes the James River, and follows its
banks through lovely scenery for long
distance. We arrived at Natural Bridge
again at four o'clock. About ten O'Clock
at night the hotel was invaded by about
l6O Massachusetts, veterans and their
wives-John A. Andrew Post No. Is
G.. 4. R., accompanied by thirty mem
bers of the First Regiment Band. Next
morning they were up bright and early
and they put in day of fun sad frolic +.
No one would have suspicioned that
there was Sabbath within a hundred
miles. The band gave concert, at
which they played yankee Doodle"
"Dixie," and every other sort Of tune
except hymn tunes. Some Of the veter-
ans mounted horses and charged around
in true cavalry style. At night there
was an illumination and display of 6re-
works at the Natural Bridge, and the
sight was strikingly beautiful one as
the great arch was lit up with many
colored fires. The waters Of a lake in
front of the hotel were let loose and
formed Il cascade over rocky hill that
seemed like veritable scene from fairy
land. Here, too, the colored fires made
the dashing. foaming waters and spray
take every tint, and called forth bursts
e ffar tho illn m tinn
the guests proceeded to the pavilion,
where Col. Parsons made an address.
Although he was native Vermonter,
he said, he had lived in Virginia for the
past twenty years, and in that time had
come to love its people and to admire
the country. He spoke of Virginia in
the highest terms of praise, and said he
expected to live and die among her peo-
Pile. He also gave most interesting
account of the geology and history of
the great Valley.
We had the pleasure of meeting a
great number Of the Veterans, and
found them to be an unusually clever
lot of people. They certainly cherish
ed no feelings Of bitterness against the
Southern people, but on the contrary
evinced great interest in an admiration
fer. them. Indeed they have shown
their good will by giving substantial
aid to- Southern soldiers institutions,
4 thoir IN Rinh-
monI to give a concert in aid OF the
Confederate soldiers home. Many of
them compared notes of the war with
Mr.. Knott, an old eX.Confederate, and
all explained why the one hadn't licked
the other in certain engagements some
twenty years ago. We should have
liked to have accepted their kind invita-
lions to accompany them on their trip
further. We hope we may sec some of
them again soon.
At half-past three o'clock Monday
morning we arose TO take the train for
home. Arriving ut the station, we
found the train three and a.half hours
late, and no place TO get breakfast. We
had to grin ard bear it, however, for that
was the only thing we could do. And
right here we would like to INTERCEPT a
remark about the station agent there
we think his name is Clark. He should
be summarily bounced from his place,
for he is ill-mannered, disagreeable and
accommodating to an insufferable de-
gree. If anyone has book on good
manners and politeness, we sincerely
hope they will send it to him, for he
needs it as much as any one we know
of. We will pay the expense of send
ing the book. Our train came along In
the course Of time, and we finally
reached Shepherdstown, somewhat
weary, but having the pleasant reflec-
ton of most enjoyable trip. We will
add, as foot-note, our advice to our
friends to 60 and visit the Natural
Bridge.