Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-02-20
A MOUNTAIN GIRL.

"Whoal'
The command was unnecessary, for
both horse and driver were willing to
stop and rest under the shade of the
oaks and poplars that hot July noon.
From early morn, when the dew was on
the grass, until now, when the sun was
overhead Mr.. George Glade had driven
his faithful horse over the wild, rough
mountain roads If the Blue Ridge, and
the place was too inviting for him to
pass by.
Mr.. Slade was a schoolteacher, and
his academy, as it was called, stood un-
der the shadow of Mount Lopateka,
one of the taIlest peaks of the Blue
Ridge He was, at the time of which
we speak. returning to his home from
the nearest railroad town, 80 miles
away. Some years ago, warned by ap-
preaching disease, he had left his native
home in Massachusetts, for warmer
cline. Attracted by the wild mountain
scenery and the balmy al, which SEEM
ed to Danish his pulmonary troubles he
had made his home among these hardy
and hospitable mountaineers. He had
again entered upon bis old occupation,
which he had followed in his early man.
hood in his New England home, and was
now at the head of a flourishing school
in this secluded country His habits
were simple, and his slender income was
sufficient to satisfy his wants. He was
alone in the world, and he had long ago
decided to make his permanent home
here among the mountains. 1t was not
long before he became attached to these
hardy mountaineers, and he readily ac-
commodated himself to the primitive
style of living. Although man of
northern birth and one who had worn
the blue, he gave full credit to those
who had worn the gray for honesty of
purpose. In return he stood high in the
esteem Of all who knew him. His work
in the schCelroom was making its i'm
press ON the community, and the chill
dren were devotedly attached to the pa
tient, white haired old man. Itwas but
seldom that he went out i'll the busy
world which lay beyond the mountains
encircling the lovely valley where he
had made his home. On this occasion
he was returning to his home by route
which was new to him, and the pictur-
esquo beauty of this Switzerland of the
south had never before made such deep
impression upon him.
A lovelier spot to spend the monday
hour could not have been found. Hard
by was bold spring, cushing out from
the foot of the mountain at the head Of
valley which sloped gently northward
toward the Tennessee. The little stream
formed by the spring went dashing down
the hillside, winding its way among the
powders, now flowing smoothly along
over it's pebhly bed, then turning with
swift current around some steep decliv-
ity, soon to reappear as it fell foaming
and sparkling in the sunshine over a
rocky ledge and again stretching out
like band of silvered ribbon until it
was lost i'll the distance, around, on al
most every side, the everlasting noun
tains, reaching up to the cloudless sky,
clothed at this season Of the year in
greenest verdure, with their wooded
crests and the deep blue ether back
grounds appearing like the gently roll
ing waves of the sea. Nestled among
the jutting cliffs at the mountain base
stood humble log cabin, and across
the road i'll the little field on the hillside
in the growing corn could be seen an OK
harnessed to plow and toiling up the
incline, and behind the plow, holding
on with all her strength to the handle,
was half grown girl. The attention of
Mr.. Slade, who had embarrassed his
horse and was preparing to lead the ami
NAL to the ford of the little brook below
the spring, was attracted. He saw her,
as the OK reached the end of the row,
stop, and shading her eyes with one hand
look up at the sun.
AS if satisfied that the noontide had
come, she quickly released the little spot
ted OK from his trappings. The OK need
ed no word of command but turned and
made his way rapidly down the slope
to the brook to quench his thirst. The
girl followed and reached the stream as
soon as tho OK had stuck his head to the
running water. She stood for several
moments with her bare feet in the clear,
cold water; then, throwing back her
homespun bonnet until it rested OH her
shoulders, she stopped down and washed
her hands, and then dipping up the wa
ter in her open palms bathed her face,
rosy with the heat, and brushed back
her tangled hair Her toilet was finish
ed.
What pictured
Standing in the running brook, under
the blossoming branches of bending
mountain ivy, with its white and GRIM
son flowers touching her hair, now re-
leased from its homespun covering
where che sunlight and shadow met and
mingled, her cheeks aglow from the
mornings toll, and her eyes, blue as the
ether above, turned toward the hum
BILE home on the hillside, she was in
deed q child of nature-a true type of
the mountain girl.
Good morning, miss" said M.
Slade, who had approached unperceived
by the girl who had been busy with
her ;:blutions.
The girl, startled by the sound of a
human voice. sprang from tae brook and
prepared for flight in the direction of
the cabin. but seeing the kindly face of