Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-12-03
THE CITY in THE VALLEY.

swifter to decay than civilization
in three weeks the result ofas many
centuries is lost"
The flower of civilization that
springs up in our bonanza towns and
cities bears q decidedly American
fragrance. Given precisely the same
conditions, like development would
be impossible in any other cline
But when once this bloom is cut
down, no ruin of fable or legend is
more complete.
During walking tour in the sum
mer of 1879 the close of an August
day found me at, apparently, con-
siderable distance from human habi.
tation.
/ had strayed from the beaten
track, tempted by the charming
scenery of a winding brook.
| wanted to find it's source and
catch view of
'Bosky dell
Where thy rivulets rise ana SWELL"
when / noticed, half hidden by trees
at my right, cluster of buildings.
It was still some distance away
so I made all possible speed toward
It. let down an intervening pair
of bars and stepped into a grassy
meadow hocked with daisies.
Beyond this opened vista Of low
massive hills, now covered with q
rising purple mist.
l tried to brush up my rather
rusty recollections of the topography
of the State, for ! saw as l went on
that not one but large number oil
buildings occupied the valley.
I passed in front of the first house,
long, low structure, in appearance
like typical country hotel. The
windows were gone, in some instan-
ces not even the easements remain
ing. AS Iput my foot on the veranda
floor, couple of calves thrust their
heads out of the window and gszed
at me inquiringly. A glance told
me that whatever refreshment that
caravansary might afford for beast,
it had none for man, and l went on.
/ saw some stalwart rows of corn
growing in what had once been the
street, and tried to picture them a
regiment of soldiers ready for ac-
ton.
An eeri feeling, as if I were sur
rounded by ghosts, came over me.
O. zen fields we're decidedly to be
preferred, I thought, to deserted
cities.
But just then l caught sight of g
thin line of smoke from the chimney
of house further up the road.
"Some one lives here, after ALL
said to myself.
/ saw that the house bore some
signs of occupancy.
A chair stood on the porch at just
that distance from the wall which
permits its being tilted back at ar
angle inviting to smoker.
The windows ia the lower parl
were intact, and dog lay sleeping
in the doorway. | raped loudly CT
on the foor with my stick, and in
response man appeared in the en-.
trance.
He was short and bowed, and had
a curious e-sided limp as ht
walked. His long white hair hung
in curls about his face, giving hin
a singulariy juvenile look His keer
black eyes regarded me with som,
curiosity, but no fear or astonish-
ment. He held cut his hand, and II
answer to my explanation OF ny
I
presence invited me TO enter.
His voice Lad something of th
harsh sound of long unused flute
"Youre quite ways from any.
where's else, and | guess you cal
stay here If you want tor he wen
Oh, as he I'D the way inside. Th
room was dusky, but | could distin
! guish table drawn before the win.
dow. Upon this ny host placed
plate bowl, lemarking as he did sc
Il dion / build no e1tra ire to
night. but can give you some hrea'
and milk If yen can eat it. / as
scented at once, adding that the al
of Pennsylvania had a marvelou