The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1901-02-23
Written Fer Cecil Wing"

wv looking over one Of the back numh"r'
Of Eigrprr's Ma laZtne, published somf
mite years ago, we were very much IN
t-raatnd with the writer's description, r.
be gave it If tho different gems found in
Mort Carolina, also with the cuts OF each
particular Kind and at the dime little thought
that we should have the p "asure OF seeing
them The writer spoke OF Mr.. Monday
who OWED tho large collection Of gems, AID
that he resided in the town OF WainsviIle.
UurNprctrily we were called to Irth Caro-.
lima to took after a tract Of timber land. The
gems md Ihe name OF the gentleman who
owned the e Election had entirely slipped our
memory, rut queor and strange things some
sln.s o"rdr az they did in this case
One beautiful December evening just as the
town clock struck eight, we stepped from the
car, to the neatly paved 81 ie-waIk, at the
pretty new Depot at A@hviIIn, Haywood
COUNTY, northwestern North Carolina. The
air was pleasant, the night beautiful. while
all tho lanterns of hcavey We're lit and hung
out and the great large silver moon wated
mnjAsticaly through scores Of little cloudiets
and 1T up with her rays, mountains. hills and
valleys 70 say we We're tired will not eX-
press our feelings. Ii any one doubts it, let
them take the came route, and we think they
will realize the fact fully. After enjoying n
good supper and royal nights rest, and
br-akfas at the Swannanoa Hotel, we felt
able ior the morning start.
We we're at the depot early and bought
tickets for WainsvIlle, some twenty-eight
miles distant. AS we sped along through one
Of the most picturesque valleys and the great
grand mountains began to loom up In the
distance, our Imagination almost persuaded
as that we we're not in the United States, but
In some other land that We have read about.
After several stops. we Mt last came In full
view of Basom Mountain, one of the highest
In the state. While entirely lost to all around
is, except the grand panorama before us, the
conductor called out Wainsvllle--a very
pretty little town situated in quite a steep
ridge some distance from the depot With
she help of cane, we soon found ourselves
on the main street, and glad to rest after the
walk up the steep incline.
We soon found shelter and board In the
pleasant hotel kept by Mr.. william Rinebart
By the way perfect type of full bred Nortf
CaroIiniau. When in full dress he wore a greer
slouch hat and light brown sack coat, rather
short, pants Of lavender hue that came
iowu just little below the ankle, red stock
ings, anL lute low cut Shoes and grea
lover Of the Virginia weed, for no matte
whore you mot him he was just taking tt
smoke as no called it. His house was No.
and the board was always good and wei
cooked Mrs. Rinehart was the manager ant
ran the house to perfection a handsome lad
Of tlty, and as pleasant as she could be. AM
Bill as some Of tire board-rs ca led him, WI
not in il AT all, but was left to do the agree
able in the way Of entertaining the guests hr
tween meals. After Il sumptuous dinner o
chicken p pie, and all tho necessary trim
niugs thrown in, we were comfortably seater
on tn pia2Gu and while looking across th'
street, were struck by the name we saw
on II situ over the door Of Il grocery stor,
chat read lhus-Monday a. Williams. 1t cam,
~ us AZ once that Monday was the name q
tho gentleman spoken of who possessed the
GEMS We crossed the street entered thu
store, and found that we were right With
ont much ceremony Mr.. Monday unlocked
bis safc and kindly showed u all of the gems
Il" had nine pill boxes full they consisted Of
diamonds. moss aga,s, pearls ametbysts
tug Use. rubies. garncts, and u new gem he
called h,d,irnite, aud as pretty collection
rs We ever h"heid. The diamonds were bril-
liant and fuII OF fire, the amethytsts and
rubtcs and garnets beautiful. These gems
are 'uu d in the Mica mines and in the Glow.
orhGfum rocks, which abound in many of the
COUNTIES of northwestern North Carolina.
ri st morning after breakfast We wand
ere oboul the town, learning what we could
concerning our business. We badc Bill and