Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-11-17

to the dear Lord of the day. After walk
| ing two miles entered small village,
where the people seemed to be just rising,
and to wonder who tho early traveller might
be. A little farther on was big, old-fash-
ioned Virginia farmhouse; IN tho doorway
| stood a small child, who stared at me to see
if were real or aghost, while her ssgrand-
pap" gave the chickens their Sunday break
| fast.
Later still, from hilltop, had broad
sweep of view of the beautiful valley, and
then the deep woods shut me in, and all
around the great oaks stood in the glory of
their crimson and scarlet drapery, their
| arms half-bared where the cold winds of
autumn had stripped them of their leaves,
and in and out among the branches and
rustling leaves the squirrels hoped and
played, and took no heed of me. Then /
came by little farmhouse on the edge of
the woods, lonely. but cosy and home-like;
saw the girlish wife preparing breakfast;
while the young husband came in with a
pail and the air of helping in the pleasant
hustle OF early morning work little
father on two roads met and puzzled me,
and went to farmhouse to ask my way.
When the farmers wits saw me she rubbed
her sleepy eyes, and as the gate clicked
came to the door, aud, with an astonished
look, told me my way, and that it was ''hve
miles farther on"
As the sun climbed higher the air grew
more keen and cold, and the soft mist dis
appeared. crossed the famous "Tom's
Brook and after awhile lost my way
again, and called at an old-fash ioned farm
house and asked information of an old lady
who seemed to have lived here all her life,
l. - 4
together. She was having her morning
smoke, but my knock at the door was fol-
lowed by busy rustling around inside, and
when the old dame came to the door her
hands were still smoothing down her hair,
stock was two miles beyond" she said;
''could not miss it, would see it right
before me-" I did not doubt that l should
not miss it when l ''sawit right before me,'
but half doubted if should ever thus see
it; above all, when in passing a fine old
farmhouse that showed wealth and comfort
within, I saw ferocious dog on guard; he
did not see me, for he lay gazing at the
house with an air that said Everything is
safe 80 far, thanks to me, and l intend to
keep it so;" his broad back was towards me
and did not disturb his meditations, but
pressed on towards the promised sight of
Woodstock right before me-" and 10! the
promise was fulfilled; there was the old
county town of Shenandoah, its bells ring
ing to call its non Catholic inhabitants to
their various places of worship.
easily found Mr.. Reilly's house and
rang the bell. The door opened and 1 saw
before me the room where the Holy Mass
was to be said, and the Rev. Father o. Reilly
waiting for the little congregation to as
semble.
Woodstock has about twenty Catho-
lies, of whom Mr.. Gary, Mr.. Reilly, and
their families are among the most promi-
nent. In the room opposite the altar fire
blazed in the open fireplace, and holding
an honered position was the portrait of DR..
D. ]. O'Connell, the Very Rev. Rector of
the American College at Rome, and for
merly the beloved priest of this mission.
He was loved by the people while with us,
and his memory is not less dear now that
he lives across the sea. In this room Bishop
Keane, of Richmond, used to say Mass
when he, too, was priest of this mission.
Nearly all the people went to confession
and Holy Communion, and after Mass,
when l had accepted of the hospitality of
a combined breakfast and dinner, I started
on my eleven miles walk home again, ar
irving about the middle of the afternoon,
well pleased with my Sundays experience.
BERTHA Won HILLERN