Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-09-16
"THRouoH THE TROUGH"


Wednesday on the anticipated pleas
ure bent. After a couple of hours
pleasant riding on the picturesque B.
& o. Railroad along the Potomac we
stopped at Green Spring station, and
taking a passenger car made long be-
fore the war, were soon carried over
the branch road to Romney, twenty
miles up the valley. Here hospitable
welcome from our friends VIM. B. and
John J, Cornwell, the former prosecut-
ing attorney for Hampshire county
land perhaps our next Congressman,
the latter the editor Of the Rerieao,
awaited us, and what we did for the
delicious supper Mrs. COrnwell had
prepared was a plenty.
At half-past six clock, in company
with the Messrs. Cornwell, Mr.. John
Pancake, Charlie McIlwee and j. W.
Crawford, in a big, comfortable old
stage, we started on little ride Of
twentv-four miles to the head of the
Trough. 1t has never been our lot to
enjoy a more thoroughly delightful
drive, The September moon was full
and not cloud obscured its radiance.
The air was soft and mild. Over the
river, through the rugged mountain
passes, winding along the cliffs, grad
ually ascending to the uplands, and
following the course Of Mil Greek,
then on through the forests with the
lights and shadows making myterlous
and ever-changing scenes, along the
rich meadows, and, surrounding all,
mountain piled on mountain, with the
weirdly beautiful moonlight softening
the outlines and clarifying every OBJ
ject that it touched-it was like a tour
through some enchanting and enchant-
ed region. Past the farm-houses, silent
save for the barking of the watchful
dogs, the cattle on the hills silhouetted
against the sky, and then again only
the sound of the nightbirds in the
woods and the ceaseless hum Of insects,
midnight came on before the journey
ended. Our friend Edward Mcneil,
one of the prominent landowners IN
the Moorefeld Valley, had telephoned
to Romney that we would find a light
in the window and the latch-string on
the outside. And so it was. While
yet an hours ride from his place, far
across the valley, like star set in the
face of the mountain, the light shone
clear and bright, Leaving the excel
lent highway, our course was turned
eastward, and after drive through
the forests of corn that grew upon the
rich bottom lands, and fording the
river that gurgled noisily on
the night air, we soon reached our des-
tination. Mr.. Mcneil gave us an old
Virginia welcome-what more need
be said?
Next morning we were up betimes,
and what fair view was stretched be-
fore us The level valley, five miles
across as the crow flies, walled in by
majestic mountains, its highly Guilt
waited fields dotted with substantial
farm-houses and well-kept buildings,
it was a scene to entrance even those
who know and love our own Shenan-
doah Valley. Mr.. McNeill's place was
one Of the best in that section-a big,
brick house, elegantly and
artistically furnished, with large yard
adorned with rare plants and flowers,
vineyard and orchard yielding their
fruits in abundance, and barns and
outbuildings of modern design prOvid-
ing for every need, it was just the
place for solid comfort. His charm
ing and accomplished wife was as kind
as Virginia matrons can be, and ample
Justice was done to her excellent break
fast. Everybody was loath to leave
so delightful a spot, but the bass were
waiting, and the start was made for
the river. Bad luck with the bait de-
layed the fishing somewhat, but after
awhile three boats were launched on
the clear waters of the South Branch,
and we soon entered the famous
Trough.
The Trough deserves its name, and
of all the interesting features of which
we had heard, the half had not been
told. For five or six miles two great
mountains run side by side, with the
river flowing between. Their steep
sides form the shore line, and right
down to the waters edge grows the
forest. The mountains are sheer and
steep, and at their base, where the
river flows, are not more than three or
four hundred feet apart, There are
few bends in either mountains or river,