Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-08

handed down to the ris-
ing generation. On porch few steps ahead
was q little faxen-haired tot Of some seven sum-
mer,s who regarded US with mingled looks Of
admiration and dismay as we approached In
single file along the narrow walk. Harry was
in the lead and she stood her ground until she
saw his searching eyes and Napoleonic mus
tache, when turning she ran into the house shout
ing at the top Of her voice. Mamma, mamma,
There Is more than childish fright In that warn
ing. 1t tells volumes OF the rayages Of war,
stories Of which are told and retold By the fire.
side.
TAKING THE MUD PIKE.
From Charlestown to Winchester there are
two roads, the pike and the mud pike" Tho
first is the macadamized road which traverses
this valley from Pennsylvania to Tennessee,
but the latter IL really only an ordinary dirt
road. In bad weather 1t would be folly to
choose it, but as 1t was dry and hard we pre-
ever smooth and easy travelling it may be, Is
hard on the feet and ankles on account Of its
lack of elasticity. Again, the dirt road runs
through district less travelled and therefore
more interesting to the rowing student.
From the beginning Of the trip 1t had been
but so far no chance had offered. Along the
canal we were glad to secure any lodgings, and
the nights were passed either at hotels or
boarding houses where fishermen put up.
There had been no opportunity to partake Of
the delights Of the rural simplicity that had
been so charmingly set forth BY the promoter
OF the tramp. 1t was determined that for this
night at least nothing but farm house would
suface. The advice Of the old colored
man to call where there were large barns
was remembered, but 1t was taken too literally.
No barn large enough to suit the exacting de-
mande cOuld he found Gpa Oronisinp candi-
date for favor was passed because Alfs artistic
sense was shocked by its lack OF paint and an
other because 1t stood q good quarter Of a mile
from the road. During the latter part Of the
afternoon every promising looking place was
voted upon, bat single objection was sufficient
to insure = rejection. 1t never once seemed to
enter any ones mind that there must be two
parties to any agreement. Evening came on
with us still trudging ahead and the usual re-
examinations were banded, each man charging
his neighbor with being responsible for the un-
comfortable condition Of affairs.
LOOKING FOR HOSPITALITY.
Just at dark a friendly light was sighted
coming from grove Of trees, and all voted
that it was just the place without regard to the
barn. The gate was cautiously approached and
. loud hullo brought the man Of the house first
to the door and then to the gate, accompanied
by very small and very shriil black and tan
dog. Tho spokesman Extraordinarily announced
that four gentlemen would be pleased to be
accommodated with good beds, supper and
breakfast. The refusal to take US in was as
curt as 1t was decided. Evidently the good
man did not appreciate us, and Willis began to
demonstrate, when he was cut short with 81
don't care who you are, you can't stay here. !"
This reception was as crushing as it un-
expected, and the way we crawisd down from
our top-lofty position and scaled our demand
| was refreshing. It was three miles to the next
possible lodging and already dark. We ex-
planned that we did not really need any supper,
| that bed and breakfast wero all We wanted.
Then breakfast was dropped from the list, and
finally even the rivilege Of sleeping on the
| floor on our own blankets was almost begged
| for. The appeal and the descending scale Of
| requirements was touching but IL did not
| reach the heart Of this obdurate granger. He
| had caught glimpse Of Georges face and
travel-stained clothing and he would have none
| of US.
PERMITTED TO SLEEP IN THE BARN.
As final compromise we begged the privi-
lege Of sleeping in his barn, and this was
grudgingly agreed to upon the express condi-
| ton that we leave the place before breakfast.
No supper, no breakfast and O berth in the
| barn was something Of o shock to our expecta-
| tions, but there are worse places to spend o
| night than on a NOW Of clean, fresh, fragrant
hay, and we did not long need to WOO the
| drowsy goddess. Just we were fairly settled
lOI tuc LuSat tuS ulbIl anu us stalWdrt bOn
came in with q lantern and large pail Of cold,
| rich milk. Our meek acceptance Of the con-
| ditiens imposed had softened him. 1t was
welcome treat. and when it had been properly
disposed Of We rolled together like SO many
| fat, over-fed puppies and forgot tired limbs
and unexpected rebuffs in the deep sleep of an
| easy conscience. Morning came too soon with
its early concert Of noisy chickens, grunting
pigs and lowing cows. and the soft twittering OF
the barn swallows could not make US forget the
noisier demonstration outside.
THREE MILES TO BREAKFAST.
Three miles to breakfast in the early morning
| light seemed like ten to hungry men. At Sum-
NIT Point, railroad town, the highest spot in
| the valley, we found breakfast and the disad-
| vantages that accompany civilization. At q
| somi-hotel We were charged so cents for Q meal
We had thoughtlessly told who and what we
| were, and gentlemen out for recreation
were looked upon as legitimate prey. George
| was the treasurer for the day and his most
| vigorous kicking only knocked 10 cents from
the bill The advent Of q railroad will change
| the character Of any community. 1t means
contact with the world and this seems to beget
an Unsuitable desire to fleece your fellow man.
From this point to Winchester the distance
varies according to the time Of day. Before
breakfast native assured us that it was Just
| eighteen miles, because he had often driven it.
At table our host knew that by the most recent
| road survey 1t was sixteen miles, and while we
were lighting our matinal cigars we learned
from = reliable citizen that It was fourteen
| miles Had We waited for dinner We might
have been denied the pleasure Of any walk.
EVERY FOOT OF THE GROUND HISTORIC.
The country Is marked here by succession
Of low hills or hog backs Of rough limestone.
It IL like the bastard limestone district which
appears further down the valley, except for it,
| sharper elevations. The land Is good. though
rough and somewhat hard to cultivate. but
the general appearance Of the growing crops
chow the difference between It and the true
limestone country. Every foot Of this road ID
historic, and up and down 1t the lines Of blue
and gray have passed, now advancing, now re-
| treating, always alert and usually I'M skirmish.
until every farm can boast of q fight which
took place on 1t, and every old house can tell a
tale OF savage attack and stubborn resistance
within sight Of its windows, and Of wounds. re-
coveries and deaths within its walls. Natives
Of the older generation have seen soldier
enough to entitle them to consideration for
their estimates Of men, and among them. al
most without exception, there Is profound ad.
miration for gallant, dashing, fighting, Phi
Sheridan. In him were conferred ali the SOL
dierly qualities Of q successful leader Of men.
and they accord him their highest praise when
It II admitted that in their estimation he m
the equal Of Stonewan Jackson.
4 MIDDAY BATE.
For three days We had been anxiously watch.
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