Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-09-11
A Trip to Loves Run.
written for the SPECTATOR. !

/ Written for the SPECrAToR.l
The merriesS crowd the writer has ioned
for long while was the one composed of
young ladies and gentlemen from the vi
entities of Greenville and Mint Spring,
who were bent on an encampment in the
wilds of the Blue Ridge, at point locally
known as loves Run, not selected because
Of its endearing and suggestive name, but
by reason of its elevation above high water
mark, and its capacious, grassy, and level
| features.
| 1t was on the early morn of the Goth of
August that this gay party, packed and
| Jammed into four farm wagons proceeded
upon that journey which is to remain a
verdant spot in our memories till time
shall be no more. Our nearest and most
practicable route was by Christians Creek
schoolhouse, where we were to como to-
gether at an designated hour formerly
| agreed upon. No place in the wide do
main of the universe could have been
chosen which is more centrally located or
accessible to all alike for a common point
from which to start en- HdSse, and one
which to somo of US recalls the scenes of
happier and brighter days that belong to
the long gone past than this famous Chris
tian's Creek Schoolhouse. From there the
'land of pines, snakes, and rocks were
5UOu TcdCuoQ dLlllu OH0 VI Ou, my
of the dear creatures, while the 'tsturdy
sons of the soil, !" the noblest race the sun
shines upon, took up the chorus in a strain
that would cause the lion in his lair to
tremble with fear.
Through this boundless and almost
trackless region of country we slowly
wended our way, humping, humping,
rocking, roaring, for distance of five
miles, regardless of sore ribs and aching
hoads, and regardless too of an appetite
craving something about the size of a hind
quarter of an elephant. In the face of
these trying ordeals, unaccustomed to such
pangs and tortures as many of us were, we
nevertheless arrived at our destination in
excellent spirits, if not very attractive in
appearance, eviucing that pluck and hero
ism equalled by few and excelled by none
sin our own estimation" We then ap-
peased our appetites, planted our banner,
and pitched our tents on that solitary spot
hard by the mountains side and the river
let's flow. BY the time this work was
completed the curtains of night were drawn
around, and "willing hearts and hands
gathered pine knots for blazing fire to re-
lieve the tedium of the darkness as well as
to assist the disciples of Terpsichore in
their gay pastimes.
There, in that remote, desolate, God
forsaken wilderness, encompassed by the
outer blackness of the hour and the tangled
woods, the dim stars keeping their vigils
in the sky, the katydid singing her mourn
full ditty, we stripped the light fantastic
toe," and played cards until the midnight
hand of the time-piece heralded the coming
of another day. Down upon our rude and
lowly beds we sank for repose, but far from
it. These hours, as if ordained by a
Higher Being, were fraught with DO re-
freshing, no recuperating powers to re-
lieve our fatigues of the day, and | venture
to assert that if any one present repei ted
the Lords Prayer upon retiring, its good
effect was but dross in the scales as short
while afterwards, and evil thoughts bore
full sway as we lay there ''restless and
sleepless," being forced to give audience to
the clatter and din of tin pans and buckets
until the songs of earliest birds ushered
in the day. We did not have to
be awakened for we had not as yet closed
our eyes in slumber. If the ladies could
only have gotten their hands ON the ''gang
of dissurbers' of their nights rest it would
have been farewell vain world" to them,
and am of the opinion that your writer
would have lent helping hand without be-
ing insisted upon, especially the next morn
ing when he thought he would die fiom the
''yawns."
The second day we continued our dane
ing, card and eroquet playing, and just
here wish to add that in addition to
these amusements, Miss Maggie OFT, Of
Harrisonburg, favored us with some beau
tiful songs with guitar accompaniments
which were charmingly rendered and ex-
ceedipgly enjoyed, and was assisted in the
chorus of them by the sweet and fascina-
ting voice of Miss BlaHche Trevy, of Indi-
ana.
When the midnight hour of the second
day arrived we again sought our couches
for a sleep. How different from the first
night Order and quiet reigned supreme.
The racket and confusion that formerly
ruled with a tyrant's scepter departed at
the advent of our old friend, A. Blauth,
Esq, who came to our timely rescue. He
issued an order more terrible, more dreful
in it's consequences than the ''Edict of Man.
tes." Thanks to him.
The third day we broke camp much to
our regret, as our stay was extremely
pleasant, our crowd unusually sociable, and
then, too, that naughty, mischieyous, dark
eyed girl stole my heart, and now l am
'heartless wretch"
Nothing occurred of any moment to mar
the pleasure of this occasion, and the only
incident on our homeward joa2ney worthy
of notice was the fearful rain our party en-
countered. The girls who wore biloxi and
green dresses were of corresponding colors
when they arrived at home.
Quite goodIy number of the f'descend-
ants of Ham, loafed around our encamp-
ment all the while, and if they did not WIS.,
it our provision boxes ''on the sly" l am
sure they must be closely allied to the snake
species in the line Of fasting.
We shall trust to meet again on that
cherished spot at the return of another
summer to while the hours 80 joyously and
happily away as on this memorable occa-
sion.
Those who composed our party were as
follows Misses Maggie OFT, of Harrison
burg; Blanche Trevy, of Indiana Emily
Louis, of New York City; and Mrs. Paul
Mix, of Staunton Misses Mamie, Ella,
Grace and Florence OFT, Nora Engleman,
Florence Armentrout, Katie Woods, and
Leta Swink, of Near Greenville Sallie and
Florence Wilson, Mamie and Alice Tow
herman, of Mint Spring Messrs. K. 8.
Blauth, of New York City; James Shuey,
of Iowa; William, Frank and Boyd OFT,
Frank and Henderson Hayes, Oscar Swort-
eel, Charley and Harvey Swink, John Fix,
Jake Armentrout, John Keiser, T.W Lam
bert and John Phillips, of near Greenville,
and Will and Lacy Towberman, of Mint
Spring.
Mr.. A. Blauth and wife acted as our
chaperons, for which service we are ex-
tremely grateful, and to whom we are great
ly indebted for much of our pleasure.
x.Y.z.
Rpea1 Rpead The TRY fnr RrAad