The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-03-22
FREDERICKSBURG VA, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1900
Communicated }
Ny Favorite Corner Of the World.

the world aside from the little spot
where home stands). were | to show you
the one place like best Of all | think
1t would be a busy town by the side OF
\ pretty river, with its streets crowded
with the thrifty marketers from the
cDuntry. II is in valley. and the hills
that rise so gracefully around form a
fitting balcony, wherefrom to view the
pretty stretch OF land below.
| claim it not as birthplace
"scenes Of my childhood " lie far away
from its vicinity. though there is AN
old oaken bucket " dangling from u
rusty chain and dripping with the cool
est, freshest water you d ever taste. the
thoughts Of which have often served to
increase my thirst not little on tor
rid day
The quaint town, like others OF its
size, contains no great storehouses Of
knowledge that might endear 1t to one.
It's largest buildings are huge factories,
aud besides many fine old colonial rest
denoe. there are dainty cottages. deftly
set on fquare plots This little town is
my favorite c-rner, in the world, l
know
could never tell why il was so dear
to me. unless being the scene of so many
battles. The ground seems sacred, for
it must be drenched in the blood OF
numberless heroes. Not far away, In
the surrounding country, stand some
old churches, ell Of them bulletridden.
In another section. on great field, is a
monument, built Of rugged pieces of
granite and forming a pyramid This
stands tol the unknown heroes |
saw it in the summer time. and the
whole field was covered with golden
rod. planted by God, and fitting en-
blem it was to cluster at the base Of the
rude shaft
Perhaps, then. the historic interest
of the old town is its greatest charm
but its broad boulevard leading 10 tho
roaring falls, and its thick woods sud
denly opening on smooth plain, and
the rugged scenery on the borders, each
has its own value. and would make you
think they Wed with one another in
their efforts to besutify.
GA entering the town Ifeel the great.
e.t sense Of satisfaction, and doubt II
the oldest inhabitant, returning from
a long visit. experiences more pleasure
than I, upon coming back again.
Indeed, SO dear is this little corner Of
the world to me that have often. per-
haps idly. imagined how l should love
30 dress up the town in places (were it
my power TO do so) with such adorn-
ments as a coat Of paint, where lacking
here. and a more imposing building
there. and some pretty parkings scat
tered through. though | doubt II any
improvement could render it more
pleasing than it now stands, in its own
quaint dress Of simplicity.
Perhaps 1t is because this is my favor
ite corner Of the world that think its
woods and fields are full Of thoughts
and lessons that the air is fresher and
purer than elsewhere; that the grass
aud the flowers are greener and sweeter.
Perhaps, because love the old place so
that think it contains such beautiful
scenery; that its rosdsides are Libraries,
telling of the brave troops who marched
by on their way to battle. or calling
your attention TO the honest toiler,
whose wagon is slowly rumbling by,
and who doffs his broadrimmed hat with
equal plesssntness to stranger or
friend.
Evening wears on. then sunset. l can
see it 80 we'll ball Of red just over a
hill top; no streaks of pinkish color
are glauciDg out from the sun 1t looks
as il a ball Of red were laid on the blue
sky, then comes reddish glow-a gold
en- glow-then night.
At night the stiffness is broken by
passing trains, while in summer the
frogs lend their voices to the quiet, and
croak clear on 'til daybreak, when their
monotonous song is relieved by the
cheerful twittering Of the birds.
may have overdrawn the picture Of
this attractive town. my mecca, but l
give it just as 1t is to my eyes, for that
is what makes it my fsvOrite corner Of
the world.
Katharine o Radcliffe.
Mach OOfh 1Q0n