The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-05-17
PETERSBURG LETTER.
prrsnsn1.aa. Va, Nay 18th, 1894.

NJ EfssDC'''S ~
Editor Post:
This is. ss all know, one Of the eldest
cities in The whole sideHassr belt OF the
United States, and its age lends to il q
sort of quaintnsss and eharni peculiar to
itself. The strests are harrow, va II the
first settlers wanted to be able to talk to
each other "across the way but they are
laid out regularly, and only serve to show
| TO better advantages the lovely grounds
surrounding most Of the dwelling houses.
For it ia in tbs yards Of residences that
Petersburg'a age 10 most kesnIy felt and
plainly aseu; for they are not tbs latter
!, day crampsd squares, laid ont in trim
little beds, bat large lawns surrounding
the houses, and containing great flower
,,ordered walks and kindly shads-srses.
| Nowhere else do the lilies Of the vsllsy
grow in such riotors rrefusion, or the
yellow wsll.aewer come 90 seen aud ahed
such rich perfume Reses are out in all
their beauty, and the fields are bright
with wild-aowsrs. for there are fielda
around Petersburg, even yet, altough the
city is reaching out and most Of the land
around the city is laid of into lots. but
at odd turns one still sees an cid field,
covered with the thiekest grass aad bright
| with buttercupa, for the buttercups are
yellowcr and larger here than in most
places. 1t may he because the people let
them alone. Just few miles out from
the heart Of the town, connected With
town by dummy line, which also takes
visitors to the grove and the colorsd
asylum. Just beyond them lies the gran
ite quarries, where 90 excellent grade OF
cranite as can be desired 10 found in great
abundance. Quarrying the granite is
new enterprise, comparatively, having
been begun about fifteen years ago, but
the people have not bean alsw to seize the
advantages offered by it, and trip to
Granite Grove affords a pleasant glimpse
of the thrift of the people and the beauty
of tho country. On either side of the
dummy track large fields Of wheat oats
make most effective contrast with the
deep red of the German-clersr fields, while
big wagons, carrying loads OF the cut
clover gave just activity needed to make
the scene one of perfect pastoral beauty.
So much has been said and sang tbout
"the tempted hilis;" Why doesn't some one
write Of the foHer-stream plains where
civilization has not SO many drawbacks,
and refinement un't plant of such slow
growth? fall Of Virginia were noun
tains, although wendrous rich in miner
ais, what would be the state of advance
ment of the population! What would be
the leading occupation Of tho people!
'Sanging, s'pose. But ell of the Old
Dominion 10 not mountains, and the little
portion of the lowlands of the state which
lies along the Petersburg dummy track is
bearing it's vegetation all unconscious Of
any rivalry. Although the margins OF
the branches and uneleared spots, the
blackberry aud hucklsbsrry bushas were
white with blooms giving promise, at
least, Of abundance Of such small fruit to
the favored sasterness; and IN the. grove
the ground was covered with wild flowers
and ferns. Sagas and marsh lilies nod
dsd to uach other while gsntians looked
up at the trees above them with eyes Of
heave ems own blue. 1t seemed SO quiet
80 far from business life and worry that it
required an effort to realize that half an
hour would be long enough to bring US
back to the busy streets where the cars
and wagons make conversation impsssi-
BILE and bore evidence to tho traffic that
make the little eockade city come in
third in Virginia's towns.
d. R. TaAcKER.