Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-26
A SUMNER IDYL.
WRITTEN FOR The DISPATCH BY
WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.
CHAPTER /.

Hot, dusty. and tired, Frank Mosely,
Richmond lawyer. twenty-six, bachelor,
rich. alighted at Forest Inn, at the Ma.
tural Bridge, from the hack that had
brought him from the railway station
three miles away. He sauntered up 10
the Office and soon was in bus room,
where he 60: into his easiest cont and
came down ready for stroll.
He crossed the road 10 tho miniature
lake. where no fingered for time To
watch the minnows sporting in the limp
cd water then he sauntcred down the
grayellod walk through tho lawn, under
tho rustic arch. down tho stonc stairway.
by the babbling brook, under the giant
arborvite, along the woodland, and sud
denly the great arch sprsng into view.
Mosely had long known the bridge.
and the passing years only increased
his admiration Of its sublmity and gran
deur. Indeed. 1t seemed as though the
sight Of its massive buttrcsses sprinPng
heayenward with such perfect symme.
Try, the eternal arch 80 lightly thrown
across the yawning chasm had never be-
fore created IN HIM such feeling OF
awe and reverence, such sense OF
mans puerility and weakness Of the
Creators majesty and power,
After admiring and wondering for
some time. he crossed the stream under
the arch and passed up tho rough little
path half hidden by the overarchin9
ferns He peered into the cayern's dark
mouth. but did not venture in, and
qusifcd n cooling draught from the
" whispering well" where subteTa-
mean riyer shows itself for an instant ere
it leaps further into the bowels OF the
earth.
lie did not 90 further up tho glen,
and after admirlng tho beautiful sur
roundings started TO return 10 tho hotel
After walking slowly along the path for
a short way he felt overcome by the
drowsy influences OF the summer-day,
and turning out Of the path and going a
short distance through the woods he
came 10 a large rock which he remem-
bered. and throwing himself down be
hind it he gave himself up 10 the enjoy
mont which the place afforded.
Through the openings in tho tree-tOps
he could catch Plmpses OF the blue sky
and the sunlight fell in long, slanting
rays across the green foliage and rip
ping water. 4 woodpecker was beat
ing On intermittent tattoo on q dead
tree-trunk overhead, insects kept up a
busy droniug among tho leaves and
branches. and the water gurgled and
murmured rs it flowed gently by.
Mosely felt like one enchanted. The
place reminded him of some OF Keats
nymphian haunts. and the sweet sing
er's lines driited through his brain
Were in sucha place sure would pray
That naught less sweet might call my
Thoughts Cwhy
Than tho soft rustic ~ a maidens gown
Tanning away the dandolions down;
Than no lisut music ~ her nimble t0eS
Putting against the s0rrol a. che goes.
The sunlight faded away into a misty
haze. the woodpeokers tattoo was far
away. the humming of the insects and
She waters murmuring became beauti-
fully blended, and MOsely was asleep.
lie never knew how long he slept, but
when he nwoke the sun was sinking low
in the heavens, ond the shadow Of the
great hills made almost a twilight III the
grove.
Half ashamed Of himself, he rose hur-
riedly to bis feet and started towards the
hotel. When lie came around TO the oppo-
site side Of the great boulder he stopped
US il suddenly petrlfed, while an express
sion Of infinite surprise came into hIs
face.