Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-08
THE IslGt'ENoT.
4 ntTrip-ChildTeu aud Rest
Grfpa

Correspondence q me Richmond pispatchl
HvGrESor SPEINGe, August T. 1883.
There is class of people who care
more for health and sold comfort than
for the exciting pleasures OF tho usual
summer resorts. Many such in Rich
mond are inquiring to-day, "Where ehaU
go?" The mountains are too far away,
the seaside is too expensive for many
who have families OF children, the heated
city is uncomfortable, and 20 somewhere
they must. For tie benefit Of all these
give my experience.
take the Richmond and Allegheny
road, leaving the city ct 4:l5 =. VI. L
ride of forty minutes mp the picturesque
valley OF the James brings me to Ninita.
| cross the river on ferry aud mount a
conveyance that is IN waiting. | have "a
most delightful drive of two miles across
river bottom, through meadow, corn
field, tobacco-plaut, and forest, and
Gpout $3.50 O'Clock ! find myself on the
old historic ground Of Hueueuot Springs,
than which q lGyeGer spot cannot be
found in Virginia. As ] enter the en-
closure have before me a lawn ghOut
five hundred yards in length by one hun
died in width, and skirtod completely
by one OF the most magnificent
groves Of oak, hickory, locust. and
poplar that l ever saw. see Ut
the farther end a large and COM
Portable hotel. On either side row Of
cottages That already give q sense OF rest
and happiness 10 one escaping from the
narrow confines Of city home. fere
and there are hammocks swung among
the trees. whose dreamy occupants have
forgotten sll "pain and toil and care.
lOuder the children are rOmpIng, tum-
bling, playing, rolling IN the sand, or
chasing each other from tree 10 tree,
wild with JOY. and whose very exube-
rance Of feeling finds expression in glad
shouts and ringing laughter, and shows
them to be go happy that they DO not
know what to do with themselves Sure
ly in all the world there is hardly another
such play ground for children as tins.
Well, / remain here for a day. J find
q Good room. IA comfortable bed. and
table that is not excclied by any hotel in
Richmond. As the shadows OF night
fall find myself at full length in my
hammock or easv-chalr, and frattiug
nov, not my body, bat my spirit. /
look upward into that perfect canopy Of
loafy branches. and watch the retreat OF
day as she gathers her pale roues about
her aud hastens upon her western jour
ney. One by one the "Rlmlet-holes
through the sky" appear and show the
glory OF the world beyond. As the
dews fall every leaf seems pendant Of
RlitteriuR pearls and precious stones,
only increasing IN beauty and in spleu-
dor as the queen Of night mounts her
throne and baihes the world with the
light OF her smiles.
And now whole regiments seem 10 be
coR,ending on every hand over q very
indefinite matter. One battslionis filling
tie nj sht air with the cry Katy did ! -
while all equal force with equal voice in
sists that " Eaty didn't :" And as ! am
wondering vbat it rs all about / find that
it was not Katy at ail, for there ia borne
TO my ear the rich meiodious voice of
another OF Natures children, who has
doubtless discovered the real culprit and
cries "Whip-poor-WHl Whip-poor-
Will :" And SO with "Katydid and
Katydidn't" aud "Whip-poor-WIll,"
and rustlng leavesand Natures far-awGy
orchestral strains, catch 1.-THE music Of
the spheres and fall asleep L.