Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-11
THE ROCKBRIDGE ALUM.
The Season Fairly Opened-Excur-
sion-Eishing-Pers

ROCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS. July
10.-(Special 1.-The season at the Rock
bridge Alum may be said to be fairly
under way. And that 1t is to be one of
the gayest that the famous resort has
known for many years no one seems
to doubt for a moment. Both the Grand
and Central hotels are being rapidly
filed, while about half the cottages are
already occupied. AS a rule, the Grand
Hotel is seldom opened until the middle
of July, but this season it was found
necessary TO throw open the doors Of
that house earlier than usual, so on
Wednesday many guests were given COM
Portable quarters within the walls of the
commodious hosiery.
The Grand Hotel is only about 100 yards
from the Central. and the two are con-
nected by a boardwalk which is pro-
tected from the weather by a substan-
tial tin roof. The Grand is a very pretty
and imposing building, of modern de-
sign, and is situated at the summit of
HILL which slopes gently TO the Alum
Springs. Midway on this hill, and facing
the pretty brick cottages. stands the
Central, a large, old-fashioned brick
structure, with long verandas, great
high-pitched rooms, and wide halls. II
is typical Virginia house, and the an
tique fireplace in the parlor, which more
than once this season has roared as
the huge oak logs snapped and cracked
in the blaze, stamp IL as belonging to
the architecture of an age when the
hearth-stone Of Virginia gentleman
mus. needs be large, so great was his
hospitality.
A stranger, arriving at the Springs in
the daytime, cannot but pause TO ex-
press his admiration at the scene which
meets his eye Shut in by the great
peaks of the Alleghanies, he sees quite
a little settlement The wild, rugged
grandeur of the scenery is noticed on
every side, but here, nesting within the
sheltering protection of the mountains.
lies the evidence of mans work in the
beautiful rows of cosey cottages, the
splendid hotels, lighthouses, gravelled
walks, and rustic benches.
AS predicted. everything came with the
Fourth of July, and life here now IS
gay enough TO make even the invalid
forget his complaint and watch. with
an interested eye, the merry proceed
ings of the pleasure-seekers. The or
chestra has arrived, and the melody OF
some dreamy waltz has already caused
many hearts to beat faster, as youthful
couples glded gracefully over the
smooth surface of the ballroom floor.
That most interesting Of all games
played at a summer resort the game
OF hearts, has already commenced, and
IL seems almost cruel when some one
accidentally startles the dear young
things by coming upon them unexpected
ly in some secluded nook. when they
are looking at each other, as some come
dian has so aptly described 1t like a
dying duck in a thunderstorm"
The Fourth of July here was marked
by two conspicuous events. A large num-
Der OF guests went on a little excursion
TO Goshen. nine miles distant, while a
fishing party. properly equipped for the
expedition. set out for Goshen Pass,
with the avowed intention Of returning
that evening with a sufficient number OF
black-bass to supply the hotel during
a Lenten season. II necessary. The ex-
cursionists made the trip over the mar
row gauge railway in the handsome lit
tie car, Of which Captain Roadcap. the effi-
Client conductor. is as proud as hen with
her first brood Of chickens. The party
had a most enjoyable time In the little
town OF Goshen, and returned overflow
ing with expressions OF gratitude TO Mr..
Frazier. and compliments to Captain
Roadcap.
The fisking party was composed Of