The times., 1899-01-15

and no one now knows why it has always
been called Grub HILL
The original church was built about 1850
and in the churchyard there are many
ancient tombstones. The following epi-
taph. copied from tombstone in this
churchyard, is good example of the style
of such inscriptions hundred years ago:
Sacred of the Memory OF
MAJOR JOSEPH EGGEESTON,
Major of Cavalry
..,.-.; In the Army Of the
Revolution
4 Soldier
Of Brave, Indomitable Spirit.
judiciOus and Intelligent
Officer.
A Patriot at once Jealous, Devoted, and Enlight-
ened.
He was Sincere, Warm, and Constant In his
Friendships. In all his relations faithful to
the Duties Of social Life, and active in
discharging them.
Modesty, Simplicity, and Dignity adorned his
Manners Justice and Truth swayed
his Dealings.
Piety purified. exalted, and sustained his Heart.
Charity regulated his Feelings, his Opinions, and
his Conduct towards all Men.
Born Nov, l7++.
Died Feby., lsll.
Leaving the church. the road runs
through woodland where fine oaks and
hickories wave their branches far over our
heads, almost meeting over the way, then
tobacco spreads its wide, green leaves
above the warm, red soil some OF 1t al
ready cut and housed. the rest fast ripen-
ing for the cutters knife Beyond the
tall stalks OF the Indian corn rustic gently
in the breeze. Ragweed and wild carrot.
the tall butterweed with its wealth Of
pale, yellow flowers, and two or three
varieties OF the partridge pea, brilliant
with pink or yellow blossoms. and bear
ing abundantly the pods full OF little peas
which serve as the Autumn and Winter
food OF the partridge and the field lark.
form the bulk Of the growth
From the tall tobacco barns, as we drive
by, comes the odor Of the curing plants
Negro cabins cluster by the wayside. with
troops Of children pausing in their play TO
stare at the passers-by. while the inevita-
bic yellow dog runs out to bark Farm
houses there are OF all sorts and sizes.
some large, some small. sometimes with
wide pOrches covered with vines. some
times set In gardens full of box and hon
eysuckle, and shaded by nne old trees
Now, we turn from the main road and
drive through more woods with under
growth of dogwoOd and chinquapin bushes;
down hill and through stream. ripping
over pebbly bed. where the horses are
allowed to stand in the water and auench
their thirst; then up a gradual ascent and
through big, white gate which admits us
to the domain of Colonel Blank. The man
sion stands on sort OF plateau among no
BILE oak trees. Great Norway frs. with
branches dropping to the ground. and a
splendid holly tree, are set in what used TO
be wide circle round which the driveway
swept up to the front door.
We stop at the low picket fence some
fifty or sixty yards from the house, and
passing through the small gate which has
taken the place or the ornamental iron
double gate OF ante-bellum days, We walk
over the grass toward the house Two
or three dogs come bounding toward US,
but with no hostile intent. gentleman.
newspaper in hand, descends the stone
steps leading up TO the wide porch and
hospitality welcomes us. Colonel Blank.
c. 5. A, is erect and soldierly, having
served five years in the cavalry OF the
Confederate army. His clear-cut face. keen
eyes, snow-white hair and moustache re-
mind one of the pictures of the French
marshals of the first empire
A wide hall, wainscoted with oak. ex
tends across the front of the building
At the left is the fine staircase. broad and
shallow steps, with a heavy baluster of
dark and polished wood Three doors
ten feet high, open from the hall into the
drawing room, library and dining-room.
The ceiling is lofty. the walls white and
hung with portraits, ancient and modern
There is the host in his uniform of Con-
federate gray. taken thirty years ago op-
posite him his handsome wife in black
velvet and old lace. Family portraits
adorn the other wall spaces and the land
ing of the staircase. Over each door is a
magnificent pair of antlers-trophies OF
the chase won by the colonel's father in
the mountains of Virginia many years ago
From one of these hang some curious old
powder horns and TASKS, and under the
portrait of the colonel are crossed two
swords-one his own. the other that of his
brother, who died in the Civil War
In the drawing room. large lofty
room, wainscoted with oak, there is fine
carved chimney piece, paneled to the CELL
ing. The doors and windows are sur
rounded with carved cornices of wood.
shaped like the gable end of a roof, and
adorned with bowknots and garlands
similar to the mantepiece. Patrick Hen
ry, with his long, narrow face and pierre
ing eye, hangs over chair of carved oak,
in which he is said to have sat. Two por-
traits of danes with powdered hair and
dressed in the style of a hundred years
ago and two or three gentlemen with
wigs and swords and lace rufiles, represent
some of the family ancestors.
The floors are bare, dark. and highly
polished. Brass androns and fender guard
the fireplace. Old-fashioned mahogany
tables hold charming medley of ancient
and modern ornaments. Antique carved
mahogany chairs. a sofa CT Queen Anne's
time. and modern upright piano COM
plete the furnishing. r-r
In the library some fine pieces of old
armor decorate the wall and underneath
are a curious dagger, found on a Southern
battlefield, and a bowie knife, once owned