Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1898-04-22
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
Written by Misses Snapp

'ahe tpeir hiSnt, never presented it
self so forcibly to our minds as it
did March 29th when we babe fond
and effectionate farewell to our tru 70
and loyal friends and all the asso-
Citations connected with the land of
our birth. WS feel as if the Gun
would never shine as brightly as it
shone in "Old Virginia" nor any
hearts be as true as those we left
behind us.
AS the past of drowning man
rises up before him, 30 a panorama
OF Qua past happy life rises up before
US, and these are some Of the things
which are on the picture. Far
back in the hills of old Va, we see
as in a dream, the peaceful little val.
ley of our old home. Far over the
mountains the sun is rising like a
king in all his glory, and the day is
breaking. The goddess Aurora has
sprinkled with rosy light the dewy
morn. and the moon and stars have
disappeared ut her comiug. The
quiet slumber Of the valley Is bro
ken; each person is rising to go forth
to his daily labor. We hear the
horses friendly neigh, the low of a
COW, and from off some distant bill
comes the bleat of Il little lamb. lost
from its mother. How wildly we
remember every familiar spot. The
little old school house on the brow
OF the hill, aud the cool shady brook
just below it. Then on down the
shady winding road we see our dear
old home. How solemn the old
house looks, aud with what reproach
1t seems to say, Forever would
have protected you when the storms
came and the piercing winds shrek
ed around my gables; then should
you have found refuge under my
roof; but alas you have chosen to
desert me and wander far away, so
am left in the hands of strangers.
Never again shall l see your faces
and hear yonr laughter. Never more
will you gather around the hearth.
stone and talk over the events of the
day We see all the happy homes;
the little Post Office; the people
standing around waiting for the
all" and presently we see the good
old Post Master handing it out.
Then through the vista Of trees,
looking east, We SEQ the dear old
church, and on the slope above it,
"Ihe sileLt city of the dead" and
the grand old trees, standing like
sentinels, and spreading their giant
limbs far out as if 10 protect from
harm and danger what ever should
seek refuge under them As the
wind passes through their branches
they sing mournful melody, IL re-.
QUEEN to the dead buried near by
Shall we ever meet again the kind
friends we left in old Burke's Garden.
speak to them of the happy long
ago, and kneel with them around
the alter OF God7 Who shall ans
wei? No man knoweth what a
day may bring FORTH Perhaps our
eyes have rested for the last time on
the old home; perhaps every setting
of the sun shall tird us not nearer,
but farther away. We know not
what God hath ordained.
Our journey from Burke's Garden
to Tazewetl was devoid of incident.
and was very pleasant despite the
rain. We stopped at Mrs. Harri
sons to bid our aged friend Aunt
Peggy Vail, good by. We were
Joined at the station by Mr.. Shaw
vers family from Clear Fork. The
passenger train was late, so we were
''rustled" off On the local in order to
make connection with the west bound
train at Bluefeld. The memorable
speed of the train made us realize
that we had really and truly started
West. .
After going some distance we
learned to our sorrow and dismay,
that a part of our Lunch had been
lett be hind At Graham the oblig
ticket agent telegraphed for it to be
8 MT on next train aud our suspense
Mas some what relieved when it ar
iyed about half an hour before our
train was due. Inmegine our ioy(7)
l.