Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-04-01
A MOUNTAIN GIRL.

"Whoap'
The command was unnecessary, 70
both horse and driver were willing {,
stop and rest under the shade Of tn
oaks and poplars that hot July noon
From early morn, when the dew was OF
the grass, until now, when the sun wa
overhead Mr.. George Glade had driver
his faithful horse over the wild, rougI
mountain roads IF the Blue Ridge, ant
the place was too inviting for him tt
pass by.
Mr.. Slado was a schoolteaoher, anG
his academy, as it was called, stood un
der the shadow Of Mount Lopateka,
one of the tallest peaks of the Blue
Ridge. He was, at the timo OF which
we speak, returning to his home from
the nearest railroad town, 30 miles
away. Some years ago, warned by ap-
preaching disease, he had left his native
home in Massachusetts for a warmer
cline. Attracted by the wild mountain
scenery and the balmy air, which SEEM
ed to banish 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 III his early man
hood in lis New England home, and was
now at the head of Il flourishing school
in this secluded country. His habits
were simple, ind 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 q 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 schoolroom was making its i'm
press on the community, and the chill
dren were deyotedly attached TO the pa
tient, white haired old man. Itwas but
seldom that he went out in the busy
world which lay beyond the mountains
encircling the lovely valley where he
had made his home. On this occasion
no was returning to his home by route
which was new to him, and the piotur1
esque 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. gushing out from
the foot OF the mountain at the head Of
a 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
b0wldors, now flowing smoothly along
over its pebbly bed, then turning with
swift current around some steep deoliY.
ity, soon 20 reappeaF as IL fell foaming
aud sparkling in the sunshine over "a
rocky ladgs aud again stretching out
like baud Of silyered ribbon until it
was lost in the distance, around, on al
most every side the everlasting noun
tains, Teaehing np 60 tho eloudless sky,
clothed NC this season Of the year ia
greonsat yerdure, with their wooded
orests aud tho deep blue ether back
grounds appearing like tho gently roll
ing waves " tho sea, Nestled among
tho jutting oliffs at tho mountain base
stood n humble log cabin, aud across
the road in tho llttle Held ou the hillside
Ia the growing corn could be soon aB o.
haFpesaed 90 q pl0w and toiling up the
Incline, Rnd behind tho pl0w, holding
on with an beT strength % che handle,
Was a half grown girl Tho attention oi
Af hladp, who bad nnhaTnaased bis
hnise snd WAS preparing 10 lead the ant
Nal io tho ford ~ tho lille brook below
Iha spring was attracted, He saw her
"a iha os Ts8olod tho ena ~ the F0s,
s'H' snd slladirR hsf eyes with one hand |
lFf w 40 ilH lpH
A. u hsiifi0d lbat ths naonilda bad
t'inr, iha gulphly released ihe lllilo spot
',q ~ iISis his tappings Tbs "a need,
tl ~ Nod ~ splupaud, bat tulned ana
ssa'ls hls say sapidly a0sR ihs sl0ps
~ iAn brook ~ gupllph hls lhlFsi The |
tif lpllqNfa and reached lhe stream a.
s'sl'l Ne lhsps hha stack his head 20 ihs
isAulhH NAieF H'a siQgd ~ saYegal
Npili'Nls Nlip be bass feei in ille eieaT,
,NlN hsifgi ihaH throwing Laok hes
:, ','''i,stAN laHiHfi iil a seated ga hoF
NN',l'l,fs tllp tipNi d0HH aild washes |
- hsnlsl apa lh.H f'EflDg up fha We
~ N htf pFu pilins bsilifd hFF fsTs,
~ Nl'A lhp hsst aad bIashsa hssA !