The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1905-07-20

sereh sts'e- rs,s esmered npoa the resirs
Of ueaery Al locked a faint blue
'ssze >ascered ny vision. shsde~y yss
epssee. f.ilisg IL fssihery vsper. o.
sibot, mist ppen the f.ee Of the deep be-
nesih a., skaftiag cut from sisbs TIE
beautiful pictures and recalling mo back
40 earth. We found written upon the
rocks the names Of many vi.ltors-thess.
100, had found solAes in the smiles Of
Nature. itasing their autographs en-
srsTea IN stone. Soon we heard the
shouts Of cur party and slmost i@me-
aitieiy the crowd ~ere assembled con-
graduating each other on the successful
asrent-fs 4tF
Our appetiies we're by thi, time thor-
oushls wnettc@, aud We did full Justice to
the substantial and bountifai lunch
spread by cur friends. after which walks.
'alks, sketching and love making was in
Obliged 10. The air vas cool enough FOR
~faps, and set the sunshine va. warm q,
summer, blistering in its cfects, and re-
tentivc as the cosmetic" Of Africa A.
ter delightful rest in the shadow Of A.
Reward side Of the mountain We gath
cred our belongings aud made prepare
uons for our departure. Nv good st.ed
oeing given over 70 a third member Of the
party and ], With shouldered gun, march
ed down to lower lands. The echoes were
maze merry 10y shouts Of laughter and
songs Of good cheer. We stopped fire.
qucntly 10 rest on moss-embowered logs
shooting at targets, picking bl.ckberries
running races down grade, and eniovinr
the scenery all about US. Il Was an ideal
onting'
At the foo, ofihe mountains We ,,n.e5
lay the side ofa running stream for sripk.
a little log cabin rested like . bird On
the edge OF the stream ready 10 tpmll.
down With the first storm of wind ,na
RAIN or TO ay away like The sam. wee
songster back to the solitude and .n.,c.,
] wondered how the inmates lived II
happiness were an inheritance. and thew
bad no need tas did We strange psople, 70
folio" after the folly and foihies Of
etuditc civilization and It's world.
sihl vending our wsv SLOWLY. We en-.
tered ihe city Of Norton. which bs. the
charm and freshness Of 10. mount,in on.
v'ronment, as well as The hustle Of .
progressive and business lite. Iva in
formed that the unusual number or
strangers was due to the District Con-
ference being held at that time. but the
hotels were crowded, and the streets pre.
scented a well selected complement of
carefully dressed men and hesutifpiiv
govncd women.
After sotisfying the inner man ,hc
outer nan suggested thatit vas time
Go make The station. and once NOR.
were "siroiiiug on The pike Il va.
quite IKE modern city, the broad pave
ments and The newly improvir,d and
modern building, reminded one Of uo.fo-
date mining towns Of Colorado and Non.
iaua, where the streets are paved ~th
sold bricks. have no reliable data b,
which 90 tabulate tue wealth and bs.inc..
Interests Of this beautiful CITY. and when
onr train steamed out Of the well an
pointed station regretted the fact ia
great measure
Darkness bad settled down as We passed
the Different stations on our return trim.
vet looked out with interest at the ovens
cleaning bright At the coke burning and
set The date ana hour in the hook of
memories.
When tho brakeman called our station
vas awaked from dream-laud into the
quiet OF Big Stone Gap, Va.
Nftir SrrnNA> Cox.
Jolly ID, 1908.