The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-25
RURAL AUTUMN MUSINGS.
By one who Communes with Nature
and Reads Her Lessons.


GAINESVILLE. VA. Sept l5th.-Spe-
cial-Right plainly and Enthusiastically
does one feel in the atmosphere Of these
DAYS and nights the presence OF autumn.
The tints on the leaf and grass Will ere
long confirm what the Calender OF Time
has already revealed; that summer ls
departed and the glorious fall IS here
The exchange OF summer weather Tor
the cooler days and nights OF september
will be welcomed To the meditative
mind fond Of quiet study this season gives
fine OPPORTUNITIES. and sylvan so.itudes
and deIls and hills will be found great
aids 10 contemplation and study. Ma
lures teaching In her tinted, decaylns
leaves, in her russell garments. and IN the
impressive notes Of her insect musl-
clans az this season, is most eloquentiy
ir,nroseive and If we miss the beautiful
flowers and green grass and many notes
OF bird songs OF summer, one can nnu
amends in bracing airs. comfort OF oooy'
and scenes that are calculated 10 inspire
the noblest feelings. The harvest Tune
for the crops suggests the harvest time
for mans best impulses. best EFFORTS ana
highest ideals. and that such a season
should be allowed 10 come unheralded
unhonored. will be 10 reflect most Sc
rlouslv upon mans nobier nature.
In rural parts we see the seasons az
their best one has TO dive INTO me
midst OF the scenes themselves ana Win
the ear catch natures sounds ana ram
ole and climb and sit down in the midst
, al her lavish riches TO appreciate what
che does In this poor, sinful "orld TOT
mans comfort and pleasure
To read Of her riches in books or view
those riches from afar will not atone TOT
the failure 10 visit In person her sArinea
and take in the incense Of her glorious
offerings and In old Virginia tn rural
sections the lover of nature can ma
abundant scope 20 revel in such delights
I'm my travels such pleasure mas oiteh
been mine, and while nave much TO
admire and have found no little M the
V,av OF the teaching of good. wholesome
lessons afforded by the different seasons
I feel that 20 autumn 7 must award the
pqlm for best and most interesting les-
sons
Shall 7 not take of my hat and make
orofoundest bow 10 the season that may
mean so much 70 us II we wiil2
I know that the poet Bryant has called
these "the melancholy days, out one
can't fail 10 catch the conoaglon or Joy
haan,ing from the faces Of the farmers
who expect TO reap such large crops TINS
wear. And. too is 10 not true that the
hest and highest Joy IN this life is that
which IS mixed with sadness
step from the sublime 70 the ridiculous
! "a step from life into death. step from
| iov 10 sorrow. So goes the record that
we make up in human life
No great stretch OF the Imagination IS
needed 10 sec the bright side OF the pic
| ure even wher evidences OF decay are
20 be seen on all sides.
little sly humor IS not out Of place
as one watches the antics OF birds, in
/ sects and creeping things. Human be-
/ ines too afford US merTiment under the
tune Of autumn's airs as they caper'
| lump and skip as puppets in life's show
, Gladly would 7 give these autumn
| teachings 10 The Times readers whose
| feet press daily the bricks OF their city
| environment. but then would they not
! get even with me by sending US lessons
! IN return? Who can tell? Much remains
} unsune bur farewell z. 2. p