The Holly chieftain., 1899-06-09
go IT. OLD CALI"

solemnity of the occasion, on account
Of the many ludicrous things said and
done, as heard and seen from our van
tage ground.
Capt. John Smith sailed these Po-
tomac waters to the head of navigation,
and his little boats entered Rock creek
and anchored there. The Scotchman,
Beall, who named the heights the Rock
of Dumbarton, worshiped on these very
banks. Here the Potomacs and Alalos-
tans, and Occo9uans of the south, allied
their forces and met in deadly conflict
the powerful Susquehannas of the
north, and gave them their Waterloo.
Here the aboriginal inhabitants of the
Blue Ridge mountains came to hunt and
fish and spend their winters; deserving
their mountain resorts until the
warmth of genial spring and balmy
summer wooed them back again to the
crags and peaks, the springs and streams
of the high altitude. Here, only gem
Grafton since, the soldiers Of the north
rendezvoused and recruited for mortal
combat with their impetuous and valor-
GUS cousins of the south. But the wars
OF nations and races have passed into
memories; and in the name of the
Prince of Peace the people of another
race perform the ceremony which initi-
ates them into the fellowship of the re-
ligion of love, and teaches them that
joy is duty and love is law.
That old colored pastor was a >pe.
culiar specimen of his race. He wore
no gown nor insignia of the rank of
episcopacy or presbytery. His long
frock coat was buttoned up to the neck;
his shaggy, gray-black beard and hair
glistened in the sunlight; his spectacles
clung to his ample nose, and their gold
bows gave added dignity to his appear
ance. He was not aged nor venerable
but strong and powerful physically
His voice was deep, rasping, penetrat-
ing, and his invocations were distinct
ly audible above the volume Of praise,
song, shouting and hullabaloo OF the
multitude. That he was man of infiu
ence with his people was manifest
when, by simply raising his hand and
beckoning to the people, he commanded
silence when every new convert came
down into the chilly waters to meet
him.
When the last baptism had been made
he slowly came upon dry land, and stood
there in dripping garments and deliv.
cred sermon, an earnest lecture to the
people. and at last dismissed them With
the benediction. He had been in the
water for more than an hour. II he does
not die of pneumonia or the grippe II
will undoubtedly be because of dis
pensation of providence.
When the spectators reached the
western end of the bridge, intending to
continue their walk, there was cry OF
distress and pain, rush of scores OF
men pell nell Unto a commingled mass
Of writhing legs and arms, all OF the
people pushing and crowding towards
common center, many of them
striking out right and left like
rioters and bruisers. The soli-
tary policeman helplessly strug-
gled to wedge his way towards the
center of the crowd, but could do moth.
ing until the crowd gradually sep
arated. Then 1t was discovered that
several men had been cut with razors.
ten or more had been struck with fists
and sticks, and the appearance Of the
individuals emerging from the center Of
the melee was very nnprepossessing
As usual. somebody had started a quar-
rel, sufficient number of friends of the
participants had reinforced their
neighbors, and the meeting had closed
in turmoil and disorder.
SMITH D. FRY.
A male adult has half an ounce Of
La. II1oI