The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-05

property, real and personal. IL the arriya
OF the couple into that region had excited s.
much concern IL may be imagined witt
what amazement the people heard OF thei
sudden departure. Some OF the nor
curious ventured up the winding path tina
led 10 the vacated house, hoping to fin'
some clue 10 this mystery Of the mountain
They found man already in possession
who forbade their approach further thar
the gate Of the enclosure. assuring them a
the same time that they should soon hav'
the opportunity of finding out all the.
could Of the late occupants.
The wagons that had brought the boxe'
and packages referred to above were sooi
employed carving away other and mucl
larger articles. These were curiously con
structed chests, strongly reinforced at thu
corners by plates OF brass, and trunks o
black leather. secured by riyets and mas
sive locks. In due time notice was poste,
at prominent places In the country that tn
property was 10 be sold by auction on Z
certain day. The entire male community
with a considerable sprinkling OF curious
danes and enterprising housekeepers. at
tended the sale. They were all dissppoint
ed. Very little was found in the dwelling
The furniture was Of the most primitive
kind. having been all made by the unprac
ticed hand of the late owner. \ few bat
tered household and kitchen articles, here
and there broken piece Of fine cut-glass
"A remnant of faded velvet. empty boxes
decorated with strange heroglyphics, ano
bottles with labels in foreign languages
made up the rest of the domestic inventory
Thus came and thus disappeared the tw,
strangers, whose history IN this day re
mains profound mystery, but which will
never cease to excite the interest OF those
who can still recall the fudlng traditions Of
that now thickly-scttled region.
At the present time "A cabin, built IN part
of the debris Of the old house, stands me-
the latter, and is occupied by venerabl,
negro who for years has been minder OF
cattle and tender of fiOcks on mountain
fields, whose beginning was the modest
clearing made long along by the hands OF
this strange parsonage. Times have SO al
tered, and the population of this region has
SO changed, that few persons now living
have ever heard OF the subject Of this short
and imperfect narrative.
NEW SETTLERS.
Since the close OF the late war many new
settlers have come to this beautiful cOun-
try, tempted by its salubri0us climate and
its agricultural advantages. Among these
are many English families noted for their
systematic habits, industry, and loyalty to
their national customs. The observance Of
the latter has already had its effect upon
the native populations The country people
of Virginia, although given to hospitality
and naturally social in their tastes, rarely
allow themselves times OF recreation. Tn
like the people OF other countries, they have
no outdoor games or festive days. They
work and work and delye. and leave them
selves only time to brood over their trOu-
bles and the misfOrtunes of the past twenty
five years. True it is that the condition of
our agricultural class seems wellnigh be-
yond hope, but this should not be a barrier
to at least some relaxation from the tolls OF
labor. Even i'm old times il was only the
few who gave rein to pleasure. This they
sought in field sports, fOX-huntlhg, fishing,
and the like. The laboring man thought he
had no time for such fOlies, and forgot
even the hOmely adage of the nursery,
which endeavored to teach him that "all
work and no play made Jack dull boy
Our English friends are breaking up in
n measure this state Of things. ON each
Saturday evening during the summer their
American neighbOrs are expected to as
semble with themselves at some one other
homes to enjoy the open air "a may suit
individual tastes. The young of both sexes
Join in outdoor games, while the older peo-
pie become interested spectators or pass
the time in familiar talk under the shade OF
the neighboring trees.
INFORMAL GATHERINGS.
At these informal gatherings the best OF
tea is served in the most approved English
stvie. A table is set out under the trees.
upon which is displayed Il 'elicale, tasteful
tea-set. in the midst Of which a simmerlng
urn holds the choice detection. The rest Of
the spread consists OF cold bread. sliced
and sandwiched and a variety of excellent
cake. The guests are expected 10 help them
selves, or are served by the lady of the
house. BY the time the tea has made It's
first round, a charming sense OF soclaDlllty
peryades the company. Every one now
knows everybody better than ever. II at
the beginning there were strangers present.
there are none now. The only drawback TO
these entertainments il that they are OF
short duration. About twilight the guests
begin to take their leave. cOngratulatlng
themselves AT having been enabled TO ENJOY
the unaffected hospitality and reinemento
their host.
our own people who attend these after
noon teas. of course, return the ciyillty, and
it is to be hoped that this new social feature
will become an established custom among
our country population. Many reasons
might be given to show how IL would con-
tribute much to the cultivation of the amen
tiles Of life, and supply new sources OF en-
joyment to people who have So few fete-
DAYS and holiday occasions As the inhabl-
tants of rural Virginia. The "frOlics' and
dances or "parties" OF once year 10 not
. kn af tha.a haHIglu nj al Nnfll-
erings. The latter have the advantage, in
that they c0nduce to closer and more gcnu-
inc sociability, and tend to the promotion OF
among the people.
From what | have observed, 1t cannot he
said that our English immigrants 10 this
region have as yet become prosperous. III
is fortunate that many Of them ENJOY IN
comes outside the results OF their farms.
But the character of the people among whom
they have come To live. and the fine climate
have much 10 do with recOncillng them to
the situation. Some OF them having lived
in India for many years, either AZ officers
in the British army or as merchants ana
agriculturists have been SO seriously af-
fectod by the climate Of that country that
they have been forced 10 seek relief else
where. Not being able to return to England
many of them have come 10 settle among
the mountains Oh NlTElnld, WHITE tncy nav,
been kindly received, and it is 10 be hoped
will induce others to follow them.
cannot close this hasty letter without
referring to a unique and striking feature
on IA mountain peak in this neighborhood
About tive miles south of that part OF the
Blue Ridge, described above, Is an
other range Of bills, known as The
Ragged Mountains. These fertile anC
picturesque hills form beautiful back
ground to the landscape looking towards
the south. When the sun has sunk west
ward to a certain distance the long shadow'
Of the higher mountains soften their out
lines at their base 'by the alternating ei
fects produced by the light Of the settins
sun through the gaps OF the Blue Ridge
While the observer is looking upon thi'
picture, his attention is suddenly arrested
by Il strange apparition on the broad and
sOftened slope of one Of the highest eleVa
tOns in the Pagged Mountains.
Four distinct depressions ia the bosom
the mountain are seen to DE IN deeI
shadow. This causes to appear two strongly
marked ridges, which at the moment as
sumo the form Of cross occupying two
thirds Of the mountain side. The lower the
sun declines the deeper the four shadows
become, and the more distinctly the figure
of the cross stands out, looking upwards to
wards the sky, now all aglow with the ra
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