The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-11-21
LOCAL sKErclrEs-I.
stone Mountain in Autumn.

There arc, within TINS mountain Guy OF
ours, three points of vantage from which
/ the characteristic features of the Stone
/ Mountain range, its northwestern lulwark,
can he most fully and effectively seen.
| For morning outlook, n moderate walk
takes one to the crest of Poplar Hill,
whence, should the pedestrian he carly
enough. lie can watch the Victorious
waves of light as, snrgins over Powcll's
mountain they touch the opposite peaks
and swiftly roll down the slopes. driving
The deeper shadows before them into the
valleys. where they are swallowed up
Then the primal hattie of light and dark
ness goes on into the Gap, within which
the forces of The rcceding shadows soon
vanish With what sharp and crystalline
d;slinciness, rs The sun frs, strikes upon
il squayely, does the whole range stand
out, each separate crag and projecting
tree seeming az if cut III amber or jet
against the back ground of sea OF silver
For an afternoon; tour of observation
there is no finer objective point than The
somewhat isolated knob just this side Of
sulphur Spring. From It's trcc-crowncd
summit, can he had lcngthwise view in
both directions Of the Stone range, bring
in@ out lis graceful curves aud lines Of
strength In addition. the best view inn
mcdatcy attainahc of the VALLEY rs a
whole can be taken mere. With an inn
proved bride path, or even a small car
riasc road 10 lis top, and browning This
with little observatory pavilion, il would
furnish Il most impressive way Of setting
before visitors eyes the possibilities here
for an extended and capacious city. 1t
would seem not unworthy Of the name
"Ohscryaiion Knob
A. the afternoon Gibbs into twilight the
best mountain Yicw. in ny judgment lof
course, in these matters, ID g"stib"s noa
NspninDd,un). can lac gained from the
cleared ground on Wallcn's ridge, nearly
opposite the Gap. Long after the dream
tinted sun>c, clouds, those bright courier,
oi the evening star. have vanished from
thcir station above The hills. and The rich
aftermath ila, faded into gray far down
The valley, the twilie! : subtle ci'iofoEc"'p
still fingers within the deep recess Of the
Gap, suggesting ever new ani delightful
pictures OF shadow and rcycfic. Viewed
from these points, in is varied YET har-
momiouS features. the Stone mountain
ran.c soon begins to assume Il real and
striking individuality
After a little thought think any one
would admit that the mountains. OF all
forms ut natural >ccncr:. mo-, resemble
;hc human face. Not 50 much in their oc-
casiounl suggestions of outline. ~ IN that
depth and richness of expression emblem
alic OF varied emotions and large range of
life; forthe thoughtful observer finds mere
form. however fine in symmetry and pro-
portion. of sli@htcr moment, a. compared
with the play Of light ana shadow. those
delicate inlcrweavngs OF The spirit
Through its texture Of matter, which pre-
cmncnily characterize the human face
divine. And - il is with The mountains
no, the placid surface OF river or lake, net
even the broad expansion Of the soundleSS
deep. has such varied power oi mirroring,
rejecting each transilory phase oi The
SIX above and the earth beneath. "a the
stern lofty baitlcmcnts of the hills, most
stable, vet most unreasonable. Have
vou ever noticed how clearly the mountains
! Indicate atmospheric changes. approach
/ in~ or rcccding az the air is lighter or more
dense? Have YOU seen with what Incl"
spun texture of transparent yapcr they
can soften and bcdcck the severity OF their
charms. ~ with ii veil, or how increasingly
the coud-curtains Of the sun trace oui
forms of vaciIatin% shade upon their
broad slopes: This latter effect is the
most varied and beautiful o! all that
have observed. and especially when some
swift cloud rolls and lashcs lis unduiainS
shadow among the trees. bringing out new
depths. finer lines. exquisite contrasts. in
it, rapid. ethereal flight.
OF all the changing pictures which the
hills unfold none are more deeply suggest
i've than ills mirror Of the seasons. The
Transition from the bare. stark ellis and
"hostly trees Of winter. the proiuSlon OF
Sprin!:'s oucnn~ leaves and blossoms. the
broad contcnimcnt OF summers rcSliul-
ness, To the flush and dying Splcndor OF
autumn, the subimaion of them ali, Is
most marvelouSiv revealed, rs The passln"
wear trails it, c!lamclcon-lik ike robes of JOY
and dcsoiation across the mountain sides.
Elsewhere the golden vcstmcnts Of autumn
are iringed with purple and studded with
crimson but only on the mountains are
all lis rich tintS touched into most vivid
life. On this broad canvass, in compile
mentarv arrangements and contrasts sur
passing art cclors familiar in The l0"lanfs
blend in with MANY others. new and inGe-
Unable. while the whole broad sweep OF
FURNISHED. silkcn tapestry viii glow more
dccpl, as the waving network OF cloud
and sunlight PLAYS across it. drawing out
lccp strains of silent music. Nowhere
else is all this autumma rcspicudemce laid
aside 50 suddenly and The ccrcmcnls OF
winter taken on at once. One might OF
frost and the hectic bloom deepens Tor
dav another, and while the bright vision
We, iiumnes the memory, III lis place be-
fore cur ewes stretch the ashcn- gray cliffs,
hut partially concealed ny the drcar.
mourntunc>S Of the dcsoated trees, only
here and there :. tract OF ,ombrc brown OF
Il lonely pine. 1t is au effect | find un-
noted in nv Wordsworth or kusi,in-IhiS
weird :apiditv OF dissolution among ti!c
mountain trees, withitS all too sudden COM
plclion OF autumn ; melancholy CLEAN.
VII. Il.
\ Queer Crowd.
baltimore sun