Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-26
,,stIv he precaed his suit for her

ALL" Earnestly he pressed bis suit for her
heart and hand. He wa rejected.
DAYS and months had fed. The gentle!
dew-drop of summer had been changed
into the frost-crystal OF winter. Inc eve,
n,ng Of the 18th Of December came anu
the Young lady's ame-accompanied oy
soms of her friends, was attending
play at the Richmond Theatre. where toe
Monumental church new STANDS. Inc
young physician, who was Dr. FRANK
Thornton. was in another part OF the
building, and no doubt bis eyes often
wandercd TO whcre sat "the idol OF his
life.n Just before tho conclusion OF the
play the scenery caught fire, ana In Few
minutes the whole building was wrapPeo
IN flames. Over sixty persons were Nc ne
Thornton rushed to the assistance OF Miss
Homaselle, and by a heroic EFFORT sue
ceeded in lowering her from one OF the
bioh windows. and thus saved her Iiio: -,
Mas Caroline could no longer say NC"
and soon thereafter became Frank Thorn
fon,s bride. A short while after his mar
RACE tho Young physician fell he,r 10
large inheritance in Rappahannock, ana
came to this county to i've. rev oays
ago visited this home, whicn Is s'.u", ,Ia
ak miles southeast of Sperryxme' IN .hc
beautiful and fertile F. T.. Valley. when
takes tia namo from tho initials OF Dr.
Frank Thornton.
MONTPELIER.
Tho Mace IL known as Montpelier" and
is ono of the finest old Virginia residences
in the whole Piedmont section. fhe edi-
fee ia an imposing one. built OF stone over
laid with stucco. On the east are eiRhe
massive Doric columns. which stand IKE
Giants OF Goth along tho whole length oil
the building. Many have been the PRONE
nades. no doubt. that lovers have TAKEN
along this imposing colonnade. IoWaru
the setting sun there q portico cohtalhii Z
bine and rupning-rose. The interior Is no
less attractive tnan the exterior. A spa
cious hallway leads from the prone
made" TO the % tee. The rooms are large,
and in some Oh them the ceiling Is Deaut,-
fed by the fr6sco. The widows form
deem recesses. aud as the lace curtains iali
about them in graceful folds ialry-rcons
seem TO be cut in the thick stone walls. .,
Art has done much for Moatp lier'
but nature i,as done more. it is situateu
upon on elevation which upon three sides
slopes for at least a quarter OF mile INTO
the valley below, where runs silyery
stream like q telegraph-wlre connecting
the highlands and the sea. Widespreadiny
shade-trees OF many years growth stand
upon both the front and rear lawns. Upon
the north. east, and south rise the foot
hills of the mountains, while upon the
west the Blue Ridge itself raises It's craggy.
broken forms. which give to the land
scape peculiar charm. The trans
parent clearness of the atmosphere riyai
that of Greece and Italy. aud Euripides
could we'll have applied his words to those
whose homo is at this ideal spot, for they
also are
"Ever dollcntely marching
Through most pellucid air.
"Montpelier" is now the home or Mr..
Henry Shackelford. just across the val
lev, upon another eminence, IL Haw-
thorn.' which was long the home of Mrs.
Voss. daughter of DIR. Thornton. This
estate is now owned by Mr.. James Miller.