Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-08-18
WEST VIRGINIA HILLS.
A Pennsylvania student Writes Enthu.
siastically OF Their Beauty.

Hamlet with the chief character
left out, we decided TO see at least enc
particular point OF interest, the far
famed Cooper's Rocks. So on an af-
| iernoon not long since we found our
selves travelling along the dusty road
to Cheat.
This party on pleasure bent consist
ed of eight people, six West Virgini-
ans and two Pennsylvanians.
We were early assured that our trip
would be pleasant one. For did not
four leafed clover reach up longing
TO be plucked and was not a horse
shoe found lying in the middle Of the
road. So on we went never fearing
broken carriage or an adventure with
a legendary monster Cheat was soon
reached. 1t looked as though it
might easily be forded but remember
ing It's name we crossed on the ferry.
The water appears of chocolate col
or. But In a glass is clear and held
TO the sun 1t sparkles with all the col
ors of the rainbow--Cheat again.
Then we began the ascent OF the
mountain on the Cumberland road.
Up, up, up, sometimes steep and
rough; sometimes level and smooth.
Trees above, gIlches and ravines be-
low, rocks everywhere, the bright
green rhododendrons forming pleas
ing contrast to the barren rocks.
Higher up on the mountain the un-
derbrnsh was dead as though fire
had swept over it IN recent years.
After several miles of this we left
the Cumberland road and followed Il
log road through woods more beauti-
full. Here the birds were singing and
and an occasional brook was murmur-
ing its song Of gladness as It trickled
down over the rocks and gave life to
the hardy wild flowers that clung to
its rocky banks. The rocks were
larger and more grotesQue. Appear
Ing as II they might have been used
in James of QUOT by some Titans in
tn dim past. Walking was frequent
ly Ia order, whether as rest for hers-
es or people cannot be said. Finally
we found ourselves at the lumber
camp. Leaving our horses and secur-
ing guide we pushed ON on foot
toward our expected goal, three
fourths OF mile farther on. A few
minutes walk brought us to Cooper's
Rocks.
What viewl Pen may not de-
scribe it. Far to the Westward the
sun was Fastening to the green peaks
on the horizon. To the Southeast
Haystack mountain showed its barren
point. The trees below, giants Of the
forest with their trailing vines and
moss like the boards Of the Druids OF
old, held up their branches imploring-
ly in hopeless attempt to mount to
the summit of the rock. Far below
the waters OF the Cheat found their
way like the coils some huge serpent
winding among the rocks. Across
the valley were acres and acres Of for
est rising majestically from the pre-
cipitous sides OF the mountain and
covering it with most beautiful
green as far as the eye could reach.
Far on the summit was solitary
patch Of buckwheat, only distinguish
able by its contrast to the greeness OF
the mountains. In the midst Of this
scenery we proceeded TO eat our sup
per on the summit Of the rock Pure
sparkling water gurgles up from
rock near by inviting everybody to re-
fresh themselves.
The sun was now nearing the hori-
zon, the river sparkled with the fad
ing rays, the trees were transtifiured
and their leaves seemed to whisper to
each other with joy. Then with a de-
parting ray which seemed to flood the
earth with beams of mellow light,
almost rivaling the splendors Of a Pa
citic sunset, the sun disappeared from
view behind the mountains. Now
the clouds which had been floating in
the Southwest began piling up with
an ominous blackness. They seemed
but to wait until the suns rays we're
Withdrawn to take, like spirits OF evil
possession of the earth. Flashes OF
lightning burst with binding bright
ness across the sky. An occasional
rumble Of thunder was heard like the
titful roaring OF artillery before bat
VIC fJOQit q liHC vi UhibIhNo1 appeal
ed against the opposite mountain and
with some alacrity In our footsteps,
but with reluctance in our hearts we
0urned homeward. We soon reached
the lumber camp again. But now al
most an Egyptian darkness covered
the sky. We we're told at the camp
ssno moon tonight" We started
strangers on strange road.
The rain had ceased to fall, but ex-
treme darkness wrapped everything in
its sombre folds. But youthful spirit
soon asserted itself 10 spite Of rocks
and darkness, and the woods echoed
with mirth and song. At last we
rounded from the log road into the
Cumberland road, and soon again
reached Cheat. But during this time
the airy sprites hidden from mortal
eyes were brushing aside the clouds
and now the moon shone forth in ali
its beauty. On reaching Cheat Can
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