Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-08-08
Stirgiuia FREE gress.
W. W.B. GALLAHER, Editor.
Jefferson County, Vest Va.
august s, 1894.
Communicated.

M. GaHaher. | came over to our little
sister county of Clarke to-day, through the
kindness of Mr. +. Wilson, one of the gen.
tlemanly clerks of the Carter Honse, be-
hind one of Mr.. Cameron's spanking grays.
We came a.kiting. Through what n mag
nifcent stretch of country our travel lay
Can it be beat for fertility of soil and beau
ty of scenery? | trow not. The splendid
farm of our countyman, Mr.. John Burns,
pre- eminently attracted my attention. Ey-
erything about it showed finished farming
fences superb, no weeds or briars to be seen /;
the corn bristling with stately tassel and
silken ears; the wheat crop garnered in his
spacious barn-an abundant crop. His sue
cess in his line makes him we'll worthy the
distinction-a prince in the farming Israel.
| am in the bounds of the Wicklife parish
of the ?. f. Church, Rev. Mr.. Thompson is
the present worthy rector. imagine it is
very pleasant rural charge-the vestry
made up of intelligent christian gentlemen,
alive to the rector's comfort and wants-the
congregation composed of the best families
of the community, the Smiths, the I-ewises,
the Powers, the CastlemaRss etc. take it
to be an honor and privilege to serve
such people. Rev. Mr.. McGill, who pre-
ceded Mr.. Thompson, built neat chapel
on the mountain which is attached to the
parish and served monthly. A sweet-toned
bell of FIVE hundred pounds weight has been
placed in the belfrey on the Wickliffe Church
lately, and with its cheerful sound wakes
the echoes round and calls Gods people to
worship. 1t was presented to the congrega-
ton by Mr.. d. R. Meade, late of Texas but
born in this county, wealthy and lately re-
turned to his native heath. The chapel at
Ripon, erected by the interest aud exertion
of the late Mrs. DIR. Osbourn, is connected
with this parish, though in different do
cese. would not have you think, Mr.. g.,
that there are no Methodsts about here
That ubiquitous character, the itinerant
preacher, has been here, neat chapel erect
ed, fourishing church and congregation
established of which Mr.. Reed, of the firm
of Reed, Long & Manning, Of Charles Town,
is leading member.
There is a saying that God made the
country and man the city. | don't accept
this saying in its entirety. don't think
the implication is well taken that Gods
curse is upon the city or that he disapprOves
of man in his gregariOus nature forming a
city In the silence, vastness and grandeur
of the country. with its mountain, hill, dale
and woodland, God is seen and felt and re-
allied more perceptibly, whilst the city.
with It's thousands of hprrying, jostling,
busy humanity, seems more of and for man,
yet God il there controlling and directing
the surging mass to his glory hence the
churches, the charities, the christian work
and deeds for his glory and the betterment
of humanity. But | love the country-that
hoary mountain yonder, the sentinel Of ages,
the grand old woods with their shady dells,
these everlasting hills and fields that yield
for man and beast sustenance, the grain and
proyender. love to commune with its ST.
lence and look from nature up to natures
God.
Lam visiting my friend, John R. Castle
man, Esq, for few days-a thrifty farmer
of the vicinage, Q generous, whole-souled
man, his good wife (who was Miss Francis
of Loudoun county a lady of fine business
tact, a helpmeet indeed, to husband His
eldest son is student at Lehigh University,
Pa bright young man who will make
his mark
have been swinging round the circle"
las Elk President Johnson used to say con-
siderably of late. At Woodstock, Hedges
vile MartinsLurg, and now IL C,ayke.
am not that g., ,eiioy We read of who goes
about as roa :ng lion, seeking whom he
may devour; rather | am an innocent
abroad" devouring what is set before me,
especially flesh of the fowl kind, for am
one of the llaih. J. W TONGUE.
LYNwooD, Clarke Co, Va, July q, '94.
The greatest larceny ever. Committed waS
z D.. u