The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-04-04
Some Virginia Yarns

In the mountains Of Virginia and West
Virginia, after the war, STORYTELLING Was
the ore feas. Of reason and intellectual
pastime The nountaineers were never
an educated race During the period Of
the rebellion they were eut of entirely
from all newspapers. books and peFiSdi-
Gals They knew absolutely nothing OF
what vas going on in the world They
lived in little circle by themselves
When they 60. together the man who
could tell the bess story was the acSnoWi-
edged leader. Wit was cultivated by
personal encounter in the country store,
in the tavern bar-room, and before the
great fire-plsecs in the cabins Oae Of
the characters ef the decade after the
war, about whom West Xirginisns ccca-
sioualIy talk. was a certain Capt Mosier-
Hisfund Of stories neverran eut \ friend
said TO him:
Captain. if you were e'luca.ed you
would be big man"
said the captain = Yes. and if had
lived in deep water, would have been
whale"
The story is told OF Capt. Mosier that
on one occasion he had been imbibing at
the country tavern to an extent that gave
unsteadiness to his locom0tien. 1t Was a
stormy night, and terrible thunder
shower was in progress az he started for
home. His pathway lay up the noun
tain and across 4 deep gorge, over a slen-
der bridge. beneath which ran turbI-
lent mountain stream, swollen by the
falling rain. The captain had struggled
along to this point with difficulty When
he reached the bridge he threw himself
down on all foars and begin to creep
across the narEow structure. The flashes
Of lightning gave him occasional views Of
the path across, and he waited for these
flashes before making any advances. His
crossing was thus made by stages. Just
after a binding hasl. of lightning ne
lost his hold and fell into the stream Il
vas a terrible plunge, and the chances
for his life were extremely doubtful
some Of his companions who bad follow
ed him from the tavern heard his cry as
lie struck the water. They plunged into
the gorge in spite of the danger, and
found him eiiaging to reek below the
bridge As they pullei ha out Of tie
water, battered, drenched. and badly
scared. he gasped on; a protest against
the thunder storm in these words
Wall. ifTd a undertaken 20 light gen
;leman home I'd a done the JOB mich
bette-.-
About this same capiain another story
Is told which does not indicate that he
was as valient Is he was humorous. He
had enlisted in the confederate army and
his regiment was drawn up in battle ar
r2y before the advancing hosts Of
the union array, Tie colonel Of the reg
irneat thought It was time TO make a
speech, and proceeded 70 aitenps 10 fire
the hearts Of the rank and Gle by ad-
-lressiag tkssa s<.snei.ssax si,eE ih-s LaAaz
ner
Fell0w-soldiers OF the confederate
army The enemy are before you The
sacred aomes Of Virginia and the homes
Of your ancestors are behind you. Around
voar hearthstones the women and chill
-Iren Of Virginia are praying you to Dc
ssteaiElst and repeI the invaders The
demon horde Of northern niudsiIis are
bearing down upon Virginia. Taless
checked by your devoted and cliTalrous
efforts they uill ravage your plautations.
rob your granaries. burn your barns and
piiisse your houses.s
When the colonel hsd reached this
Toint in his address the brave Captain
8Iosier called oGt as he suited his action
30 hrs words, and started to run to the
gear.
If all these things are threatening
my plantation am going right home TO
see about it, And he went.-Nsr York
Tri5,s.s