The Washington times., 1902-03-23
Arr INGTON--A Poetic Poetic Dissertation D on the City of the
Bv ELIZABETH ELLICOTT POE,
A Relative of Edgar Allan Poe.

| Leaving the massive buildings of the
| Capital behind US, we pass into the mar
row streets of old Georgetown. The oc-
casional old-fashioned shop and colonial
home relieve with their quaintness the
| eye wearied with the glare Of modern
| Washington.
On the bridge that spans the historic
| Potomac let us pause and view the beau
| tiful sights around.
! Far up the stream the miles OF wooded
| Virginia mingle in spring-time green
| with the darker tints OF the quiet wat
| ers. In the farthest domains of the State
the Spirit of Virginia sits and views with
| wonder not unmixed with admiration the
| splendid beauty Of the Capital City of the
| Union.
| Towering above the Capitol is the silent
| white finger, with its upward gesture.
concentrating the fadeless glory OF her
| (Virginia's) most illustrious son. Other
| ages may oblterate memories of her
| Lee. Mason. Randolph, Stewart. and
Page, but as long as this Republic has
any breath of being, nay. as long as any
record of its existence remains in the
annals of history the name OF Washing
ton will glow and scintillate in the glori-
Gus company of the great of earth.
1t is no small fame that Virginia may
claim as her right in possessing such
noble son. She would be remembered If
giving birth to Washington were the only
act of her being. May the spirit of the
great George rest over and may his ex-
ample direct her every council with di-
vine guidance. May his hallowed ashes
be- as the ''sced of martyrs and raise up
other Washingtons in the ages waiting
for an entrance to this gray old earth.
small hamlet lies at the end OF the
bridge. The electric cars are waiting to
convey us to Arlington. After glance
into the shady woods and long breaths of
the country air, we decide to walk, and
thus learn the topography of the coun-
try better :han il We were under the die
ton of the modern wizard. electricity.
While passing along the road lying be-
tween the village and the wood, We pause
to view Washington in still another pros
pective. With it's white buildings rising
in solemn quietude hay clouds floating
in heecy rolls over its heights. it reminds
cGe of the tabled cities rising Phoenix
like out of mists: or that strange city
that arose out OF the sea, seen by Chris
topher Columbus and his men, who. I'M
der the decree OF destiny, discovered
home for weary Liberty.
Softly through the stiffness comes the
solemn strains of the Dead March
Nearer it comes, it's muffied so5bings re-
sounding strangely in natures many
echoes.
Down the white road rides a funeral
train. First. the guard. then the eaisson
bearing the body of the dead soldier,
shrouded in the folds of the flag he served
so well.
Sadly the notes ring out. In heaven,
the remorseless sun blinks on in cruel in
difference. Above the music rises the
song of a bird. The Carol OF Hope. joy
ousIy it rings. cutting with clearness
through the deeper notes of the dirge.
Natures solace for natures decree. We
gaze at the caisson, still, but our eyes
are fixed on the stars of the flag. Stars
that suggest and beckon to the above
the soldiers rest and reward.
Through the woods we hurry, for the