Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-08-09
CON THE WING"
SwIsHER's, W. VA, Aug. Sd. 1895

DEAR FRIEND
1t has b en- said that
pOlOgies for letters are like apologies fol
aingiug-the apology is sometimes bette
than the song: however that may be,
promised to write you from this country
and that promi q will undertake to per
form, and as to the fate or reception my
letter may meet, ''let time and chance
determine After leaving you | drove
out the Orkney grade, and took the
mountain" road and reached that same
night, tho Village of Fulk's Run, situated
on the famous Brooks Gap, which Gap
bv the way, IS one of the most romantic
sections in Virginia or indeed any where
1t has been my fortune to travel, the
mountains loom up in granduer on either
side, rough and rugged and between them
rushes the IippliDg Shenandoah over
rock, and through cbasms, literally cut
ting its passage down the narrow gorges
on its way to reach our own beautiful
valley where it goes jOyfulv and gladly
to meet the lovely Potomac which has
come from away up in the castellate cliff
of the far Alleghanies. and there at
Harper's Ferry will they embrace each
other and 90 on together, she laughing at
him and he kissing her face,-Ful&s Run
is a small village built on both sides OF
the river, has two good stores, and is on
the regular traffic road for the back cOun
try to the railroad at Broadway, and
teams are constantly passing and pass
ing, over the toughest road any where; at
this point | cross the river and take my
way up the Shenandoah mountain, and 1t
is Cup" indeed, long tiresOme drive, but
tue scenery pays for the fatigue; o reach
ing the top had to stop and take look
at the panorama spread out before me, il
seemed indeed as if | was all alone,
away up thousands OF feet, "far from
the maddening crowds ignoble strife
away from the stir and hustle OF the city
and town. away from every thing but the
handi work of the Creator. The scene be-
fore me, almost battles description, far as
the eye could reach, range after range of
mountains unrolled their blue SUBMITS,
the sun Is Just setting, and the old king
of day is touching the tree tops in the
western horlzon-away off can be heard
he mutteriugs OF distant thunder from a
recent shower, the last radiant drops Of
which have fallen ere we reach the top.
and nlture il smiling through her tears,
as might happy woman in the sparkling
faca of her lover who has brought her
ioyful and unexpected tiding@-Ind a
nalo of golden glory seems to fljod the
earth: from the south there comes the
softest touch of the evening air bearing
o. It's bosom the sweet breath of summer;
far below rises the musical murmnr of the
river as il washes over tho rocks; the
clouds are fringed with line of crimson
and yellow, all is qniet, calm and peace
tul, the only soun to break the stiffness
is the muttsring Of tue late storm. aud the
chirping OF little bird near by who is
singing bis eVenin song before going 10
uett his mate among the bushes; but as
:nvitiny as the surroundings are, | mus
leave and 90 on my way, down the noun
tain. cross the South FOrk and stop at
Fort Ssy bert; this is historic place. the
,cene Of conf cts bstween the early set
tiers and the Indians: the remains of the
d fort can still be seen. From Fort
Seybert we cross the South Fork noun
tain to franklin the county seat OF
Pendleton Co. This is a small town Of
.bout 300 population, but eOJoys good
business, has three or foOr good stores;
handsome residences, brick churches, and
1, clean and well kept town generally;
mas fue supply OF fresh spring water
Dlped through the town, which is far
better and more conducive to health than
drinking out of old wells, las every wise
mans son doth koOw." From franklin
my road goes to Md well, thrifty
little place nestled ia the mountains, but
worth staying in while after you get
there. The people of Mcdowell aud
Monterey are much interested in the
chesapeake and Western Railroad or as
they call it the "HarfisOnburg Railroad"
though the people of Pendleton county
are making big effjrts to secure 1t; have
cent committee of citizsns t. wock up
their interests PendletOn has (tbey say
4 cord of bark for every acre OF ground.
and m ade q fine exhibit OF ores at the
Worlds Fair, taking the premium over all
;.,,npeuCUrs tor rcd fossil ores, brown
res and limestone. so their people have
tuned the "church Of the best ticks" 10
this matter and are doing all they can.
out Monterey will possibly be the nearest
boint-vast resources will be opened up,
the country is rich in all that goes to
make wealth. and all it needs Is to make
their supplies accessible to the outside
world, and the railroad will do that
when il comes-4nd 1t is rank treason to
wen hint at any thing else out here.
Veil, can only hope their brightest an
icipations may be realized. From
Monterey | pass through High Town.
Town the South Branch. through the blue
grass fields OF Highland county. where the
,attle are browsing on the bIllsides and
in the foe pasture lands through New
HamdeD which looks like piece OF
.nc,ent bistOry 80 dilapidated and gone
70 pieces, then to Grab Bottom, where |
ind an old time Virginia town, bat with
1 live merchant or two IN it-enough
eaven to keep 1t going, aud thon across
The mountain aud down the North Fork,
me of the widest parts OF this sector,
Dut all along my way eau DO seen happy |
,ontented looking people, earning their
iylng by daily telling 10 the fields or IN
heir quiet homes.
Each morning finds some task begun,
Each evening sees its close,
accomplished, something done.
TO earn nights reposs"
As / pass a small village, bridal party J