The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-12

would be good idea TO ask II we just could
see some one. There they come now. just
the people we are looking for. We learn 1t
Is mile and half 20 the top. We under
stand that 20 mean two and a half or three
miles. "How can you tell we are at the
top!, "You will see whole lot of bark
and when you get TO the foot we will see
two or three times as much.'
These are grazing farms. There are GER
tainly plenty of cattle and horses. You
know 1t was said before the war that Nir-
ginia's chief occupation was the raising of
Presidents and horses. She still raises
horses. The cattle seem TO think that the
land belongs 10 them, and we hayo to baWl
at them before they will get out Of our way.
There are large orchards up here, too. We
try some of the appl s, but as they are the
winter fruit, one bite is sufficient.
We are at the top az last. Piles of bark
testify to that fact. We can certainly look
down upon people now. Rich and poor.
high and low, seem 10 be on a common
level. They look as though they were mem
bers OF one big family, living close together,
and working for one common end. God
grant that when we pause in our busy ca
reer to look backward the former life spread
out before us may be made up Of pure
thoughts, kind words, and generous ac-
tions, with love for our fellOw-man she'd
ding its glorious radiance over the beautiful
picture.
We now stand on the dividing line be-
tweed Albemarle and Rockingham cOuu-
ties. What long county Albenarle is eN-
tending all the way from GOrdonsNllle.
After crossing into Rockingham we find
the nature of the soil is different. We have
left the red and dark earth behind US. This
is perfectly white. We spoke Of the road
up the mountain being so fine. but tais Is
superior. IL is almost as smooth as plank
floor, and you do not realize that you are
descending a mountain.
The long drive has given us an appetite,
and we begin TO look around for place 10
dine. We will try camping out on small
scale. We look with all our eyes. but fail
10 find any spring. We have arrived ut the
foot Of the mountain, for there is the bark.
There is also a well, but we want a spring,
30 we drive on past the bark, which has
been piled up to represent n house with a
matched roof. We fail, however, 70 find
our spring. Coming to nice-lOoking habi-
tatiOn, we inquire Of man sitting on q
stile where we can find spring. 1--WE are
very dry" is the answer, "and don't think
you will find any near here. but have a
well, and you are welcome TO use it,
We accept his invitation. Perhaps you
know all about camping out, and you VIII
smile at our awkwardness. We get am on +
the pines and make fire, bat the tea pot
turned over on it three times. nearly eXtin-
gushing the fire, besides wasting the tea.
But we managed to get up and cat a pretty
GOOD dinner. The summer of 30 viii long
be remembered BY us. In il we saw "a sun
rise and camped out. We are satisfied.
BY the way. we learn from our newly
made friend that city called Shcndun is
growing up around us. He has sold out
and all the land up to the very top OF the
mountain has been bought lie seems 10 De
a niceifelow, for he watered our horses, and
when we thank him ne simply says. "lhat
is nothing more than we should do Tor each
other"
A drive Of about a mile and half brings
us TO what was formerly known as The
Grottoes, but is now Shendun. We get 10
the hotel, which is right at the depot. just
i'm time 10 secure rooms. \ large number
efeXcursiOnists coming a short time alter
we did could not be Accommodated. This is "a
large, new fashioned building with broad
piaZZas. and room enough for scores Oh
guests.
We find il would be better to 20 into the
cave this afternoon, so after short rest we
start out and walk about n quarter Of
mile down one of the streets 10 the extern
sion bridge over the river. We cross, ana
ascending the mountainous path for about
a quarter of mile enter an Office ana reg
ister. 1t will be over half an hour before
we can 20 into the cave; 50 we amuse our
selves by questioning the guide. lhOse
steps, he informs us, lead TO the top Of the
mountain over the cave. On the top stands
"A tower from which there is charming
view Of both sides" Three Of Us.
full of the spirit of adventure. as
cend first the brick steps, then the dirt
steps. and last Of all, the steepness OF the
mountain itself. We feel like flies walking
on the wall. We find the tower, but do net
climb up, as "A ladder leads 60 the top. We
supply ourselves with stout sticks with
which 10 beat that boy for taking advantage
of our ignorance. The descent is worse
than the ascent, and we do not fail TO vent
our wrath on the smiling guide. He ha,
been sitting down having an easy time, ana
he does not understand how We feel.
At length we 90 into the cave. Another
large party Is in there, but we take diile-
rent route. What change i'm the atmos-
phere. \ heavy cloak would not be OPP
pressiye. The floor is rs dry as bono.
Large barrels with cups attached stand
about the aislcs and catch the water as D.
drips down. We drink some and ind IL d.
licious. The cave is brightly hghted with
electricity We pass from room TO room
admiring the different wonders pointed out.
There are angels wings, the deNiis bake
oven, n cathedral aisle, a robbers den' Mar
tina WashingtOn's room, senate chamber,
and many other places too numerous IT,
mention. A wonderful wonderful place
where we could spend hours every day Tor
weeks. 4 tunnel is now being dag, con-
Meeting "The Cave of the Fountain with
Weyer's.
We have spent two delightful hours in
the cave. and reluctantly We return 10 thl
hotel. even though we know it Is time Ion
supper. This is a iirst-class place, for ~
hOtel is under the same management - the
restaurant at the Virginia Midland june
ton. This fact alone would draw crowds
of people, and taking into consideration the
many attractions of this highly-iayored re-
gion, il needs only "A few years 20 make
Shendun, on the shenandoah valley ran
road, a flourishng city.
AMER breakfast we start back to Ivy.
we are going past Waynesboro and Ba7ic
City this time. For some time we DIVIDE
our attention between the river and the
farms, but soon we give our undivided al
tention TO the magnificent farms. This Is
the richest of lands and fields, beautiful
haxests. The road often runs through oaH
woods and rabbits dart out before us.
FOrding the river, we enter Augusta
county. We all know that people OF Ger
man life live here by the immense barns
which they believe in. They also believe M
lightning rods, as they have two or three on
every building. They certainly spend Ion
of money in fencing. The spaces OF ground
fenced of look very often like our Richmond
building lots. People seem 70 delight M
putting their roads IN dangerous places.
For over half mile we travel with a steep
bank towering above Us like a great wall
on our right hand, and bank three or ioW
times as steep descending TO the river on
our left. 1t is broad daylight now, so W,
won't quarrel. These good people beiieNe
doubtless in doing their travelling IN ne
day, and staying home at night.
AS long as there is breath in Us
we will recall with pleasure the
beautiful view, which stretched out before
us as we drove along the shenandoah al
lev. Beautiful scenery, like exquisite
music, acts as a charm upon US. We never
weary Of it. We may talk about the beat
ties OF other lands, but when we think about
il. we are compelled to acknowledge that
Virginia is the garden spot of the
IAs tu1n hIr off -