West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-09-16

AioH thto polNJ llluSlfalNu above rs
perhaps the finest on the Whole
road.
We changed cars at Fairmon',
took the new railroad north down
the Monongaholn river, 3S miles to
Point Marion. Here we were met
with a conveyance to take us to eur
destination, and crossed the river
on n fiat boat. Thon in buggies
winding our way up the steep rIyer
hill aud through the country ill we
were landed ut the pleasant country
home whore my wife was born and
raised, one mile west OF Taylort0wn.
Greene county, Pa. The old farm
looked strange aud rs ownud by her
brother, William f. Rice, and is IN
n good state OF cultivation. Thirty
years had passed since Mrs. Hartman
saw her Old home. The old house
was vacant and the kitchen torn
down. Father and mother had died
years ago and are sleeping IN the
cemetery close by; brothers and
sisters have died, and only one
brother and sister living, and
brother is II years old and owns
aud lives on the old home farm,
and years ago built largo fne
dwelling house near the old one.
Again and agair Mrs. Hartman
went and viewed the old house,
where was once nice, clean rooms
with carpets on the floor and pa
per on the walls; now the floor has
all kinds Of rubbish scattered
around and the walls are hanging
full OF cobwebs. But there was the
same old well, with bucket hang
ing in it just the same as it used to
be. Back from the cradle land
there came low and sweet, like a
peaceful song, memories dear Of
our childhood home, on the years
wide current borne along, tales and
stories in fragments small, glimpscs
o; scenes Of the dear old days, and
youthful hopes that were left be-
hind, in the miles we passed on our
winding ways. Yet there ls one
sweet scene that our heart has
kept that is pictured bright amid
our earthly cares It's the group
that knelt around the evening lamp
by the homestead hearth for the
family prayers.
In visiting brother and sister.
several nophows and one niece and
many old friends, we travelled over
considerable Of the country around
here, and looking at the oil wells
and bow mysteriously the oil was
forced through pipes from the wells
to the towns and cities, even TO
Baltimore and New York, 80 we
were told while we we're there. Aud
we did climb to the tops Of some Of
the highest hills here, just like we
did over in Virginia and Maryland.
and the hills here are as high as
they are there, and more OF them.
Having completed our visit in
this vicinity, we then rctraced our
steps homeward. Bro. William +.
Rice and James Dorsey took rs to
Point Marion. There wo took the
train and ran south 10 Fairmont.
then changed cars and ran west to
Columbus, Ohio. and from thence
north to Delaware, then by hack TO
our new home at Magnetic Springs.
Union county, Ohio, fully satisfied
that we had n nice visit. We think
we met tho clcycrcst people i'm the
world while we were gone, and we
enJ )ycd their good singing, too.
We also had the pleasure Of viewing
some Of the grandcst scenery m The
Allegheny mountains. Farewell.
dear old homo, wo said when we
left tho bill country. this 10 thy
home novcrmorc, ucycrmOre, only
the memory pictures woven aud
painted 80 long ago, remain TO bc
cherished in our hearts. hud
though time may rcich ont bis old
fingers and weave iu our hair silver
threads, it will ever b. bright n
memory.
Long long may our hearts by SUCH
memories GlIeI
Like thc vase iu which roses have one.
btcu distilled.
You may wreck youmay ruin the vase.
III YOU will.