Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-11-01
/ KENTUCKY GRAVE.


Harrodsburg, KY, there now stands little
old-fashioned spinet--a SCARED veteran Of
bong ago, still bearing traces of arlsticratic
lineage Tae small twisted legs Of ma
hogany gov beautiful carving, and the
keys, thorga almost entirely innocent OF
ivory, are not waoly mute from their long
snbroken silence ard the accumulated dust
Of 50 years.
Why Il mas remained unmolested all these
year /. not known Sooner or later some
relic funter viii find and restore it to its
original rank.
Could this Oh instrument speak, a tale
it would tell oil former glory, when ii was
the central figure in the parlors Of the once
famous Graham Springs-the antebellum
mecca for the south, and the virtue of whose
healing waters was known far and wide.
1t would speak Of lone grave, where
the moonlight falls softly, throwing halo
ever all, where the mockDg bird ON
Nearby bough sings love songs to his nest
ing mate all through the night.
The tail trees cast gaunt shadows across
the winding paths, and weird, ancanny
feeling is over the earth and IN tho afr and
takes superstitious possession of one.
/ live again in the long gone past. There
are handsome buildings before me, lights
everywhere, music and mirth ring out GU the
still night air, no dismal shadows, no sor-
rowful superstition hnger there; but com
pany, comfort, happiness and pleasure
reign supreme.
1t is 80 years ago; the south is in it's
glory; wealth and every luxury belong by
right Of birth and Inheritance to those-arts-
tocratie people.
They came to this celebrated watering
place seeking health and pleasure. The
waters OF the then famous Graham Springs
gave health and happiness to many an in
valid brought there from the south.
Three hundred acres of beautiful rolling
blue grass land, laid off IN parks, with great
forest trees to cast long, loving shade, and
shelter, winding drjveways and romantic
walks, where lovers fingered hand in hand
and talked of future plans, building their
castles in Spain" while hearts kept time
and tune to the mockingbird' S love song.
There was the one main hotel and two
long rows of cottages, where cooling breezes
fan the hours away, and the healing viz
tues Of the water that brought color to the
cheek, luster to the eye and strength and
suppleness to the limbs. An ideal place
in which to live and love and perhaps to die
for many came too late to reclaim health
from the healing water and balmy breezes,
too late to refill the veins with new life
blood, and came only to be carried away
after all was over.
These people came IN carriages, with chill
dren. dogs and saddle horses and a retinue
of servants, to take up life for a season.
For the well there was a round Of gayeties;
for those not strong enough to share in
the ballroom and other pleasures, there was
scenery and water, solace and sure cure
for nearly all ills.
One summer there came to the springs
beautiful young woman, alone except for
her maid no chaperone, no friends. She
vas young, beautiful aud alone, three things
that appeal strongly NO the sympathetic
southerner.
She was wealthy, if one could Judge by
her appearance and the prodigality with
which she spent money. She soon won
the heart OF everyone in the hotel and
cottages; all had something kind and
complimentary to say of the beautiful
stranger.
She had her own saddle horse. Being
a perfect horsewoman, she made picture
in her hunters green riding habit on her
thoroughbred, taking the lead always with
the riding parties. She was the best whip
at the springs, and the admired of all, when
she went out in her light road wagon, pulling
the ribbons on the handsomest coal black
team in Kentucky.
On the ballroom floor she was queen
Of all. such grace OF movement suppleness
OF limb one rarely sees. She was truly
the impersouation OF beauty. she never sat
out dances. The frs; on the floor she was
always the last to leave.
One evening late in the summer she APP
peared in the dance hall more radiant than
usual, her dark creole beauty heightened
by flush on the cheek that was foreign
to her accustomed pallor All present noted
this; but to solicitous inquiry she said she
was feeling quite well, with the exception
of a sharp pain, now and again, near the
heart. Nothing at all, she would answer
i'm that soft, caressing tone OF voice pc
euliar to the far south. She danced that
evening as never before truly the queen
OF the ball When the dance was at its
height, there was sudden confusion; the
music stopped; dancers stood still; a shout
for water and q doctor rang out On The mid
night air The creole bell bad fallen lile-
less on the ballroom floor
All was done i'm tie power Of physician
end friends: but TO ne purpose. The heart
stood stiL the spirit was free.
They carried h~r. with loving hands and
sosrowing hearts the next evening, when
the shadows began to leugtHen, in the beau
ty and stiffness Of the hour between sun
down and twilight, and laid her 10 rest
beneath the friendly sheltering oak tree I'm
der which she loved SO well to sit and pass
the happy hours away. 1t was her wish,
so said the maid TO be buied there by my
al. ,s sha on 1la1 ~ and 4hrra wa NO ono