Okolona messenger., 1902-11-19

due time, and I learned to my dis.
may that my route would be via.
Chattanooga, Asheville, Salisbu.
ry, etc. Sad experiences over
mountain heights we're too fresh
in mind for me to contemplate
with any degree Of serenity such
a route, but yielding to the inevi-
table boarded the train for Vir.
ginia. We crossed the turbid wa.
ters Of the Tennessee about mid
night; the mOOnbeams shining on
1t produced a peculiar and weird
effect. We were Just q little ner-
vOus crossing this iOaming, seeth-
ing, raging torrent for it was ION
a tear" but the rapfdity with
which the train ran across it some
what reassured us. As morn out
OF the holy east streamed Ger the
ambOr air her level light" the
mountains appeared in sight, and
as the rugged peaks reared their
royal crests, wrapped in sunshine
radiant and glorious, nature
seemed as II recently garlanded
and adorned with deEy ireshness.
Continuing this route Of romantic
beauty and approaching Asheville
the scenery Is even grander, and
the views are such as an artistic
soul would delight to paint. The
railroad runs down in the valley
by the French Broad river; the
mountains rise above the river on
the opposite side; the river winds
gracefully along in a serpentine
manner over a rocky bed, now in
full view, and now concealed par
TALLY by trees which fringe its
banks. One sees deep valleys,
green and fertile, Nesting in the
mountains; dancing waterfalls,
sparkling streams rush through
their gOrges and down their rocky
sides. Immense borders Of rock
crop out, and again a foliage
dense and Of marvellous COlering
cOneeals the mountain sides. Sci.
dom have l seen a more superb
sight. l may have gazed on
mountains more historic, but have
never seen anything more mag
nifcent and awe.inspiring than
the far reaching panoramic vision
of lOVeliness that spread out be.
fore US. To one who is an enthu-
siast about nature and loves her
beauties and sublimities, who in
hales the dewy freshness of noun.
tain air, and drinks in its glOri-
Ous scenes.
cit is feeling great, sublime,
supreme. Like the ecstatic influ-
snce of a dream" Christian Reid
has aptly styled this part of Caro-
lima the Gland of the sky" and
with her facile pen has made it
famous. From Asheville we trav-
eled over brake and brier, noun
tain and vale till we reached Pilot
Knob, N. O., where there is one
OF NATURES lOVeliest sights-a
natural fountain. Near or Just by
the road in a wooded dell was this
vision Of beauty. Water clear as
crystal, spOuted upward many feet
in the air, come down in graceful
curves, throwing its cooling spray
for a distance, and envelOping sur
rounding objects in a mist. Gas
night let her sable curtain down.
we reached StatesVille. Ny inter
est was aroused, as this was the
birth place and girlhOOd home of
an hOnOred friend in OkOlOna
(Mrs. J. o. Parchman); also the
home of our esteemed tOwnsman,
Mr.. II. L. Morrison, but the
cleaning OF the electric lights and |
a passing glimpse was all that
could be seen. At eight O'Clock
we arrived at Salisbury, waited
an hour and took fast train for
Danville, at which place stopped
over from 2 O'Clock to 9:45 the
next morning. This is a flourish
ing progressive town on the Dan,
which river at Clarksvllle flows
into the StauntOn and forms the
Roanoke a bold, noble stream.
The town has a large population,
hannsOme churches, elegant mod
ern homes and many tobacco fac.
tories, for it is in a great tobacco
growing country. 1t is quite an
educational center, being the seat
Of four girls schools, military in
stitute and others. There are two
colleges, Baptist and Methodist,
Presbyterian school and Episco-
pal. From DanVille to south
east Virginia, my destination, I
passed many familiar towns
Clarksvilie, BoydtOn and Buffalo
Springs, q noted resort. It
brought viVidly to mind scenes in