The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-01

thrifty people. T. turned towards the Hot
Springs. Buena Vista and Glasgow, the
boom towns of a few years back show
now little signs Of the rash that reused
tho echoes OF the mountains IN lnelf eA-
citing days.
Many hne cattle and fat lambs come out
from grassy hOllows among the rugged
hills and bring good prices Tor their own
ers. But for the abomnable dogs. which
are constant danger TO the fiOcks, many
more sheep could be raised in Virginia
tnan are now sent 10 market. when VIII
our people realize the folly OF keeping
thousands Of worthless ours and develop
the sheep industry. as it might be done
in our mountain districts?
1t was somewhat or a surprise 10 ma
myself on the edge OF Buchanan in the
luxurious train Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio road.
All my associations with Buchanan car
ried me back to my schoolgirl days, as
my sisters and myself went from our
home I'm the lovely Shenandoah Valley
10 HOlln's Institute, in Roanoke county.
In those days Of slow travel we went in
the numbering old stage coach through
stanton and Lexington, but came TO
stand-stll at Buchanan. The stage went
on 10 Fincastle and we had 10 lind
private conveyance TO carry US TO school.
Buchanan was pretty sleepy little plac.
on James river, then, ana so II continued
for many long years, until boom struck
IL.
It seems a pity that when a boom dies
the corpse cannot be buried like other
defunct creatures
In spite Of the depression naturally re-
sultng from the era of imitation. there
are evident signs Of revival in this dis
trict The railroad has done and Is doing
a great deal for the country IN develop
ing its great mineral wealth, and bring
ing IL into the notice OF the great out
side world This region has many adj
Vantages Of soil and climate ana an cA-
Cellent. though SpdrSely settled pOpuld-
ton. The country has great future IN
dairying and fruit raising. This year the
wheat crop is a fine one and the prospect
of a better price than for years past
cheers the farmers hearts.
4 friend familiar with the route had
advised my spending the night az the
charming Gladys Inn. at Clifton Forge.
that l might have daylight for the grand
views on the way TO the Hot Springs.
/ felt grateful Tor the suggestion. when
after a most comfortable sleep in the
pleasant AMI picturesque hotel, l stood
next morning on its upper piazza ana
RECALLED myself with the grandeur OF the
everlasting hills. How easy and natural
seems the worship OF nature 10 one VINO
stands in these magnificent soltudes ana
surveys the WOndrOus structure OF man S
earthly abode. How deliciously eXhiliiat-
ing IS the breath OF the mountains, what
balm 1e ms borne to the sad ana weary
soul from the peaceful forest. what cheer
and hope from the sun-crowned heights.
Another establishment awaited me,
when descending from the care found
myself amid the wonderful Improvements
of the Hot Springs. Unseen for forty
years when Whitewash was the only
adornment Of the humble cottages, II
seemed as II some enchanter's hand had
been az work. The Homestead rises like
"a fairy palace before ones eyes and only
less elegant are the new bath building
the Virginia House and the handsome
private residences of the company 5
officers.
4 found very comfortable lodging at
| the pretty little cottage hotel the Al
phin which commands an excellent view
of the lovely lawn and all the buildings.
Leaving all this magnificence with I'M
availing regrets that l was not million
the place, found solace and content with
agreeable company at Mrs. Anderson $
pleasant clearinghouse, in the Warm
| Springs Valley. After all, old friends are
the best friends and il was great pleas
ure 10 talk over the long interval since
my visit forty years ago 70 this peaceful
vale, and 10 hear of the fine boulevard
and all the great changes made by the
railroad. The hamlet. for some unknown
reason called Germantown. shows de-
cided growth OF late years, and has COM
Portable Episcopal and Presbyterian
churches, attended by considerable con.
gregations from the hills and dales
, around. as well as by visitors 20 the
spri'is in summer
/ A great deal OF money is scattered
among the citizens by the wealthy visi-
] tors and the valley wears a comfortable
! look. as If IL were not disturbed by tales
| of hard times. q. l..