Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-05-20
THE PEsTON ARCHIVES.
NUMBER w.
LETTER FROM JOHN H. PEYTON TO MRS
PEYTON.

| WARM SPRINGS, Sept. End, 1929.
dined at the Hot Springs and arrived
here last evening without accident or ad
venture and without increasing the infa
nation of my wounded leg. [NoTE-Whils
opening tie front gate at Capt. Massie's ir
the Valley of the Falling Spring, ALE
ghany county, his riding horse, spirited
and badly-trained animal, sprang forward
dashing him against the gate post, and the
iron prog of the latch was driven through
the calf of his leg inficting painful and
dangerous wound. The wound was &c
serious indeed that he was confined to the
house for several weeks and oU ed his re-
covery mainly, as was thought, to the kind
attentions of Mrs. Massie and her family.
Old Brinkly, who is here, and something
of a leech, and kind and excellent fellow,
examined and dressed the wound last
evening. He approves of all that was done
by Mrs. Massie and insisted that l should
take the warm bath this morning and let
the "leg there soak for thirty minutes"
followed his advice in the absence of more
scientific authority, and have just returned
from the bath feeling all the better for
having taken it. thought the burnt alum
which sister Susan put on the wound had
healed it too rapidly, and the effect of the
bath has confirmed me in this impression.
Immediately after leaving the bath, the
blood spurted in lively stream from the
wound, which Brinkly soon stopped. He
it was good sign, that it was discharge
of bruised blood, and applied lint and
Basilican plaster, ano now feel quite easy
and comfortable. Brinkley is not a quack,
on the contrary, he possesses some skill,
and is anxious to be of service, not only to
me, bat to all suffering humanity.
There are number ofvisitors still here,
among them Norborne Nicholas, Judge
Roane, DIR. Adams. Mrs. Harvie and
Malinda Bowyer. They meet daily, DIR.
Brokenborough included in the party in
my apartments, and we enjoy the reunion
no little. All are exceedingly kind, they
both Cypress me with their friendly atten-
tions. Having accepted the guidance of
old Brinkley, shall adhere to him as long
as I improve. 1t may not be the best
course, but it would be difficult to ascertain
the wisest policy among such multitude
of counsellors, each one with an infallible
remedy, and all advising different course
of treatment. But it is interesting to hear
these good people discuss their theories
They are a remarkably cultured coterie to
have remained behind the annual exodus.
all full of kindliness of feeling. This
take to be culture, or the powers we
acquire of sympathizing with others, of
feeling the conditions under which they
act and of regarding them and their inter-
est rather than our own wishes and graft
fcation. Roane, who will stop with us
three days, on his return 20 Richmond, and
whom you have not met, though l have
known him for 20 years, is nan
of superior abilities, and with considerable
literary attainments, is accurate in legal
learning and one of our best lawyers and
Judges. He is a good, but not what is
styled "brillant talker," ready in his wit
and pat in illustration. He amuses the
mind by his happy concets which, like
good conscience, act as medicine for both
mind and body, regret 10 say that bis
health is hsd.
Grsrd Steart [srother Of the late Alex
q q. Ssusr bas just arrived from tue
Sweet Springs and says 100 visitors are yet
there and about 60 at the White Sulphur.
l hope to see yon and little Susan, Capt.
and Mrs. Massie on Friday. Present me
affectionately to Capt. M, ard SussD and
the family.
Yo1r sffsctionate husband
JOHN 81. PEYTON