The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-08-25
Especial Correspondent of The WIG /
A Cecil COuntIan Abroad,

| "A Cecll COuntIan Abroad.
RoCKBRIDGE, ALUM SPRINGS, VA, Aug H.
Editor Wing These springs are stu
ated in Rock bridge county. Va, nine
miles back from the main line of the
Ches. and Ohio road at least SO the
guide book says. Here in the heart of
the mountain are springs SO strongly
impreguated with alum that the water
actually Fuckers your mouth. The
fame of its healing properties has made
the place favorite resort for many peo-
pie from the Middle and Southern States,
and is taken in with the Natural Bridge,
White Sulphur Springs, Lexington, and
other neighboring resorts by tourists
from all over the country.
There are eight hundred guests here
now, and in the midst of the attendant
health and hiarity one wonders where
the sick people are. A little observation
and caves dropping reveal them, however.
Misery loves company" sure enough,
to judge from the favorite pastims OF the
is the first question: whats the matter
with you ?" the next, and then such a
revelation of ills and ffiictiOus present,
past and to come, as they compare symp-
toms. Here and there on the cottage
porches, propped up with pillows, or
slowly walking about leaning on attend
ants, we find them-poor pilgrims after
health. But there are not many ge7y
sick. The number of handsome women
here is remarkable, and the young girls
are exceptionally beautiful. There are
few handsome men.
The aristocratlc old lady is here in all
her variations of grey puffs and curls,
and the bejewelled Rebecca who eats
with her knife and picks her teeth at the
table. Aud, by the way, the table is the
one great grievance, especially at dinner
time. They raise their own vegetables
and rs they had a fine crop of beets, snap
beans and cabbage aud very late plant
ing of sugar-corn, lima beans, etc., con-
sequently the invalid who came early and
stays late is tired of beets, aud the string
beans having become principally all
strings, there is no alternative but rice
and potatoes or boiled cabbage. There
is always good pie, however, and per
force, rice pudding-and always ice
cream of a harmless character, but no
peaches hence murmur-not cloud
but deep" Perhaps if they all knew
that the really delicious omelet and ten
der mutton chop at breakfast were garn-
ished with wild carrot and yarrow. they
might also lose their relish Tor the one
good meal of the day.
Aside from the vexatious matter of
eating it is all that could be desired as a
place for rest and relief from care.
The young people ride, drive or play
lawn tennis IN day time, and dance and
play cards at night. The children have
the utmost freedom-they roll on the
grass or play in the mountain stream.
modest.
A central figure among the youngsters
is a short, stout old gentleman with long
white hair and open mouth whose every
step is logged by the children. They
plat his hair, pat him, kiss him and treat
him like big good-natured dog. He is
DIR. Burrows, Baptist divine of consid-
cradle note and very fine preacher.
Another figure around whom the mob
do not gather, and whose strong. stern
face stands out in bold relief against the
great congruous background, is DR..
Charles Hall, of Brooklyn, N. Y. His
wife, bright eyed little lady with grey
hair. is with bin. Poor woman, wher-
ever she goes the greeting 80 glad to
know you, your husband preached Henry
Ward Beecner's funeral Sermon" is ever
waiting for her. So when she came here,
and the ladies ever anxious for her ac-
quaintance, one after another met her
with the same reference to the obseques
of the great man, it finally grew beyond
endurance and the little lady said Eyes,
he did preach Henry Ward Beecher's
funeral sermon. but thank Heaven he
has something else to base his reputation
on beside that"
1t is needless to mention the scenery.
1t is mountain scenery, wild and pictur-
esque. One can easily wander away and
get lost, and the natives who come down
from, no toin ei1oo Amt
and game-bag, look more like Rip Van
Wrinkle than might be supposed possible.
And the meeting Of these extremes of
humanity, the gayest of the gay world,
with the shy wondering creatures of ma
ture is strange. 1, is queer world any
how. BARRENs.