The Savannah morning news., 1900-11-30

a Curiosity 10 ne seen Among the
Mountains of virginia.

Earlchurst Va. amid tho wild and
rugged scenery OF che Allegheny Noun
tains TWO young iadice who were fond
% exploring the beautiful country were
seated one afternoon 40 the base OF a
waterfall Bcing deeply Impressed by
the beauty % the spof. ono exclaimed
How charmingly romantic ! cau almost
believe Tint Flora Mscivor will any iH-
stant appear seated on that moss-co' "A
rock. discoursing sweet music O.. er
harp.
Carried away by such romantic
thoughts. they began 20 build pn imae-
tnary castle pcoplcd with baron and sgrf.
bcsieged and defended Of a captive prin-
cess and valiant warrior knights.
Let's make ono" they cried Accord
lngly. the mex, day the undertaking. was
begun
A large purpllsh boulder overgrown
with moss and l.cheu - the lawn of
Enrlchurst the summer 49, Of IN.
huildera was selected as the site on
which TO construct This miniature castle
Building material then berame n serious
question Rocks there were iu plenty. hut
sand ana mortar had 90 be carried for
some distance Tools were limited and
using a screwdriver IN Hen o. r. chisel to
enlarge the slight iudentstiou iu the foun-
the dungeon. proved hut slow work
This task 'compl~ned square box
Was placed o. r tho excavation. in which
were cut openings for windows and
door The windoWs-etghfeon In all
we're put together with greatest care. ~
cry stout wooden frame being crossed and
rerrossed with - heavy wire 20 initiate
gra'ngs. then built in tho stone walls
over the openings. They vary In style
and .ize, from tho large caser MIS- ~ fhe
protected parts Of the structure 90 the
small windows o. The watchtcv re-. After
the box had been built over M All sides
with rocks helf IN place hv mortar. an
other smaller box was placed on top 81
H. and covered IN hke manner roth were
first rooted with tin 80 prevent LEAKING
hut this has been carefully concealed.
There are also hidden drain both IN the
castle and causeway. The towers are
built solid exc ept behind the windows.
where spaces are left to give the effect 81
rooms. The "workmen' experienced
great difficulty in finding the necessary
number Of properly shaped stones for the
battlements which required such exact
ness Every one on the place was re-
quested to look out for small square
stones. and walking parties armed with
baskets were often formed for the sole
purpose 81 securing building material
One Of the "hod-carriers" became 20 en-
thuslasuc that she carried heavy
load Of stones for two miles on
an August afternoon As the structure
progressed. keen interest was taken In
II by all the neighborhood. and there we're
many visitors 20 view the unique little
building, several Of whom contributed bite
OF rock from different places OF interest
In Virginia. one mountaineer who came 10
pass judgment on the work could not con
ceal his disdain. and blurted out. There
Amt no use Tor you-all 20 work on that
little house. the snow s gong TO melt
them chimbleys. sure" Tie referred 90 the
towers Another man OF the same kind
looked on at tho building for some time
with a plying smile. ana said what
shame them two Young ladies' is childish
II was afterwards learned that he regard
ed the builders as harmless lunatics. AZ
ter four months OF not uninterrupted la
Dor the castle was finished. one Of tho
architects carved little figures out 81 wood
and dressed them 10 represent tho house
hold OF a baron. The knights are clothed
In tinfoll armor. each carrying a lance and
hattle-ax: all the ladies are arrayed IN
brightly colorcd silks An armed sentry
stands on guard In each watch-tower. ana
a captive princess peeps through the bars
OF a lofty easement. lmplorlng aid from
every brave knight-errant
The castles hight Is about two feet and
a half. and the rock on which % stands
measures ten feet N circumference. and
Ia three feet high. The approach 10 the
castle Is by a cnuHeway rising gradually
from the ground al the rear. and forming
a semi-circle OF wall until u reaches the
entrance gate. where & stops abruptly
Across the space between the castle walls
and the causeway Is thrown a drawhridge.
which can be raised or lowered by iir
iron chains ~ n moments notice. port
cuilis and two watch-towers guard this
entrance 10 the courtyard which lisa
within. surrounded on all sides by high
walls. Across the courtyard on both
sides. opposite the watchtowers. rise the
two high towers the round tower being
on the right hand. near which n the pos
tern leading into the strong keep Through
this portal there are silmpses OF tapes
tried walls. canopied chairs. and the long
hanquetfug- board. over this hall rises
the main tower. A group Of figures can
be- seen iu one picture just a. the draw
bridge. on the platform OF the causeway
stands the handsomely caparisoued war
stced OF knight who has just dismounl-
ed 20 pay his respects 20 the lord and
10y Of the castle They walt TO receive
him at the entrance gate. surrounded by
their house mold retinue. diminutNe
page clad IN sllken doublet and hose
stands ~ the horses bride while be-,
You'd the courtyard can be caught q
glimpse Of the fools motley The banner
which floats from the highest tower has
the armorial bearing. or. lion rampant
gules. that 81. a rampant rcd Hon on y
yellow field The same standard waves
proudly over the great gate