West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-06-14
KINGWOOD PRESTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. THURSDAY JUNE a 1000
LOVES YOUNG DREAM.
Captured by Matte, the Maiden OF
the Mountain.
Written for The Argus

!" uklNG the summer ol isoo. not far
Gull from the town of Kingwood. Preston
- county. w. Va. high upon the
mountain. towering amidst the clouds. lives
family who have beautiful home there
iheir ancestors resided upon this place
nearly one hundred years ago. not In this
pleasant home retreat. but In a log cabin
peculiar to those days, which has long since
disappeared. This 6nc farm and home has
descended from generation to generation
"n'i' 1t came into the possession OF the
present owners In all It's grandeur aud
elegance.
During the early years. In the forest
around this home. could be heard and seen
the bear sand wolf making their nisb,Iy
visits to carry OF pigs and lambs. aud AZ
other times chasing man and maiden. caus.
ing them to hcc Tor their lives: al other
'lmes poking their noses through the GREY.
ices OF the logs In the cabin, seeming some
'resh cooked meat or vegetables. In recent
years this tract abound In small game. such
as turkies, rabbits. squirrels. phcasants,
ana occasionally roaming through the
forest may be seen the bear
Being acquainted with the family. the
writer and his friend had pressing inyl
tatlon to come and spend few days-
roaming through the forest, hunting. fishing
or whatever our inclinations thought best
In this household was one child. lovely
maiden OF about sixteen summers. named
Matte. She had dafk hair, dark grey ewes
Ia'r complexion. rosy checks. and about
hve teet i've inches high. who. being the
only child volunteered TO be our companion
and guide during our sojourn with her and
her parents in that quiet mountain retreat.
Alter a refreshing nights rest. we were
awakened from our slumbers 10y the sing.
ing OF the birds In the trees near by and
the lowing OF cattle on the surrounding
knolls, and we hastily prepared our toilet
and repaired to the lawn In front of tho
house The sun was just rising over the
eastern hills, the morning bright and
warm and as there was not a cloud TO be
seen In the sky, II bid fair for a lovely day
AZ the breakfast meal, Matte remarked 10
my companion, (whom I shall call Frank.
What a lovely morning. and what beau.
tiiul daythls is going to be. Ifyou gentlemen
are perfectly rested from your Journey com.
ing here. will take you TO the mountain
streams Tor the trout today. which can be
caught In abundance" "Gloriousl' re.
marked Frank. addressing Matte. and look
ing at me. Nothing you could have sug.
gested that would have given us as much
pleasure as angling along the mountain
streams In search OF the speckIed beauties.
Matte remarked. In conclusion. with n
merry twinkle In her bright eyes, twill
now proceed to notify you gentlemen to
look well TO your laurels today, See, 1
have prepared this lovely roscttc." As
she presented IL to Frank for examination.
sue remarked, Before the sun goes down
~ the western horizon. II will be plain TO
tel the victor In the trouting to-day. This
rosette shall be pinned with my own hands
upon the breast of the successful angler"
We started for the stream not far distant.
which wound It's way through the mountain
pass-Mattie and Frank side by side. keen.
ing up merry conversation through the
meadow until we came to the fishing spot.
and then we proceeded to get our hooks
and lines In readiness for the pleasures of
the day. Frank was in fine spirits. his trim
across the meadow with Matte having
braccd him up and put new color in his
Cheeks. As Matte S pretty little nimble feet
stepped from rock TO rock. her dark hair
waving In the breeze. casting her hook and
line first here and then there. and throw.
ing out the speckled beauties. then
thought that would have given worlds for
a rosette. decked with diamonds. that
with my own hands. might place Il upon her
breast
We were then called TO partakc of the
MONDAY meal. which Matte had prepared
for us on moss covered log near the
brook We chatted there for some length
OF time and looking at the trees towering
high their lofty heads far upon the noun.
tain peaks. their tops slightly waving with
the wind. and the stream laundering down
the mountain side. sparkling in the sun
and throwing up its silvery sprays as IL
whirled itself among the rocks beneath our
feet. II made us feel that the hand that
created this scene was Divine.
When the sun began to descend behind
the western hills. our catch was counted
Frank twenty FIVE. Matte one hundred and
my humble self fifty. the labors of the day.
Honor to whom honor is due. exclaimed
Matiie' as she came forward and with her
own delicate hands. pinned the rosetie
upon my breast. and upon looking AZ Frank.
! noticed this small token from the fair
damsel had sent the color to his checks
On our journey homeward. Frank and
Matte took the lead through the meadow
and over the little knolls. watching the
birds springing from branch to branch and
hying from tree TO tree, and disturbing
whole herds Of grasshoppors Al their feet.
Frank in high glce chatting away in his
familiar style. and occasionally calling
ms companions attention by pointing 10
something away up the mountain side.
which appeared an instant later large
eagle soaring high above the trees appar.
emily beyond the clouds.
Home az lasti" we all exclaimed In the
same breath Soon we were called 20 par
take Of the evening meal was soon en-.
gagged 10 conversation with Mr.. and Mrs
--- about their neighbors. roads.
churches. schools. etc. and was entertained
by their tales Of hunting. fishing. spinning
and weaving in their carly days Frank
and Matte we're engaged In social convcr.
sation. music. and games AZ the hour Of
ten We bid adieu and departed 20 our room
Tor the night. there 20 lie down TO sweet
dreams and wonder what our fair hostess
had 10 store for our enjoyment during the
coming day.
We were awakened from our slumbcrs In
the morning by hearing quite number Of
voices We made our toilet and appeared
on the lawn IN front Of the house just az the
sun was coming up bright and clear In the
east There was crowd Of gay young
gentlemen and ladies Of the neighborhood
which Matte had invited to be present and
accompany us on the pleasures Of The day
After breakfasting. we we're soon on our
way in search Of the enjoyment which the
day might bring forth armed ,s.ifh e,,,.