The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-09-15
VACATION NOTES.
BATESVILLR.

Ahis IL Httle namlet, thirteen miles
south of Basic, across the Blue Ridge
mountains, in Albenarle county, Virginia,
1t is six miles from Crozet, station on
tho Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad with which
1t is connected by telephone, and eight
miles from Red Hill on the Richmond g.
Danville. 1t is costly ensconced in the
valley and between the wooded and grassy
mounts. 1t consists of two or three stores
mill, two doctors, and an adequate mum.
Der OF other inhabitants. A decent Bah
list church tops = neighboring bill above
and the same kind of Methodist church
quietly settles in the vale below.
The surrounding country 10 thickly set
tied by prosperous farmers and stock rails.
ers among them Hon. John s. Harris
whose home was tho attraction that lea,, us
thither. A good old Virginia welcome
awaited US, attended by all the luxuries,
comforts and embellishments that q full
handed, large hearted, generous hospital
ity could suggest. The large we'll arrang-
ed two story dwelling is not exactly on a
hill, but rather an elevated plateau, front
ing tho Blue Ridge mountains, which the
next morning appeared to he about mile
distant but in reality eight. The front
yard is beautiful green shaded with ma
pies and young growth of black locus,s.
All the farm houses in Virginia have
''upping" BLOCKS near the front gatc. In
front OF MI. Harris gate is the most
unique and at the same time the most dur
able one the world. 1t is All immense SOL
III White flint rock weighing from $500 to
5000 pounds. The father rolled it down
Tic hill and used it to choke gully. Tho
son hauled it up the hill and uses it. as q
stepping stone to pleasure.
The water supply comes by means of an
underground pipe from mountain spring
some distance away, III stream bold enough
TO serve for both the dwelling and barn
yara; Ihere Is an ice pond just below
the aWelllng from which every winter a
sufficient quantity is collected to make a
bountiful supply for the next summer. Be-
sides every convenience that pertains to q
well regulated home, Mr.. Harris has as
good and as largo farm rs one need want
$50 acres well adapted to raising all the
Virginia crops. He had just harvested a
nne crop OF wheat and had most promising
growing crops Of corn and tobacco. The
apple orchard which doubtless paws the
best dividend of any thing else for the
amount invested has 4 short crop this seas
on. AS o general rnle, the abundant
growth, rich qualities and ready sale Of the
ppm makes 1t look like pulling mony from
tho trees. A good apple orchard in this
section OF Virginia is good living.
The cherry trees are not in the regular
orchard, but stand wherever they come up
about: They are immense, their branches
spreading out to greater extent than
those OF an oak tree and making equally
rs good a shade. They rarely miss pro-
ducing, and when one of these is loaded
you have cherries for the ncghbors' chill
dren.
But the best crop~on the place is Mr..
Marris' beef cattle, about fifty in number
Ihey Wcre.turned into the pasture last May
and have cost him nothing, Since -exccDt the
salt they licked. 1t was the finest herd of
three year olds we have ever seen. Not
one shabby or even second class animal in
The whole herd. We do not see how cattle
could be made much fattcr. Besides these
he has eight or ten milch cows in another
pasture. The pasture lands in Virginia do
not grow up In sprouts and undergrowth
IKE the lands here. The grass gives it all it
wants to do. In MI the fields of Mr.. Har-
rls, we did not notice but one little
washed or CALLED place and steps have al
ready been taken to reclaim that Yet ia
his section there arc little or no level lands
except the bottoms.
MIR. Harris immediate family consists of |
his mother An active well preserved lady |
OF sixty-tive summcrs.
Mrs. uarris' maiden name was Way!and |
which name is almost SYNONYMOUS with |
But good PRESBYTERIAN |
as She is she married Baptist and raised
family Of Baptist children. Her hus
oahd VINO died more than six years ago
was devoted member of the Baptist
chnrch. Here we also met the affable and |
laicntcd Col. }. w. Stou: and his vivacious
and charming wife who is the youngest sis
Ter of Dir. Harris. The glad faces Of her
sweet Cornelia and saucy little Jim made
IS think 80 seriously of home that we
iked to have had a spell. With all
hese charming environments we could not
wonder at the contcntmcnt and happiness
II our good friend Harris. We thoupht
If saying to him, "One thing thou lackcsp'
and that is not q fine pack Of hounds; for
ne has fourteen of as good az ever Chased
fox or robbed hens nest.
FOX HUNT.
Late one afternoon there WAS q gentle
shower, one Of the kind that hangs on the
"eeds and the bushes, and we thought this
would bc good time to exercise the |
horses, dogs, and Reynard. We got most
d the pack together and our steeds ready
We hnd not been in the saddle for four
years, SO IT was fortunate that VIC were
mounted upon stccd as gentle as lamb,
IS 3tronS as 8 lion and as feet as a roc
he fine aorIel presented by Mr.. Harris to
us slstcr-in-law Mrs. Atldc II. Harris.
che horn and the response from the hounds
1ut Lee on his ncttlc and away We went
o the mountains. We had time at first
lodging and ducklng our heads to cscape
he dripping limbs, but VIC thrashcd and
'lashcd through them till VIC became so
we'll acquainted with them that we took
Nctting Ikea veteran. We came to 81
'mail opening near the top Of a mountain
where we thought was good place to wait
ook and listen. We gave up the hope of
striking trail and were about turning
lomeward when suddcnly-"Hushl listen!
mats Music, and slre enough it was Music
away in tho distance. Directly 'that's Bill"
another tew seconds that's Jack" till the
whole pack joined in. They appeared to
D? coming right by where we were station.
Cd just for accommodation. Nearer and
nearer,
Ihe deep-mouthcd ox-hounds' heavy bav
~amS soundtng up hedark foray''
iii We thought tho fox was going to
run night In amongst us. Harris rushed
Town the mountain to another place where
10 thought the game would cross hut we !