The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1908-05-08
JACK" HARRIS WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. 5-4-'0S.
DEAR OPINIoN:-

w Ut OCs
DEAR OPINIoN:-
If the Opinion staff were once
again with us, they would see the
city at its best, and also much of the
home life of Washington when it
lives out of doors. That isn't par
adox, either. After the work of the
day is over, the entire family moves
out in the front yard, if it has one,
and if it hasn't it camps out on the
steps. Or, "Mollie and l and the
baby" all pile onto an open car for
long ride out in the suburbs, or, if
that is too strenuous, wander out
into the nearest park. That is what
| was aiming to finally hit, the
parks in the evening. They are
happyland resorts of a soft summer
evening, with the velvety sward,
the multitude of trees, many of
them in bloom, the flowers and the
splashing fountains. There are
plenty of rustic seats for all, and
father reads the evening paper and
smokes his after dinner cigar, while
mother watches the children roll
and play on the grass. But-there
are others. "He and She" are there
in profusion, and if a better place
can be found for the propagation
of cloves young dream" | don't
know it. In the dark serpentine
walks, among the shadows, many
pleasant date" is filled and many
new one is made. 1t is Gas good
as a circus" to sit, fancy free, and
take note of the passing show. All
ages, sizes, colors and shapes are
presented in the moving picture,
and for those who pursue mans
greatest study, man and woman?
there is always an interesting act
on the stage. And thus, from sunset
to midnight goes on the out-of-door
home life Of a great city. All the
toubles which infest humanity
seem to have been left at home.
There is nothing at the capitol to
talk about for little while, except
bills, and so | am
going to tell you of little trip |
made yesterday. 1t was so hot in
the city that the reflection from the
asphalt streets fairly curled up the
leaves on the trees, and so | and the
Mrs. took a long trolley ride away
out into Old Virginia. The objective
point was the end of the line, sixteen
miles from Washington, Fairfax
Court House, Nearly any old
soldier will tell you where that is,
and what it means in history. That
entire section of the state is thor
oughly cultivated, and covered with
thrifty and prosperous farms. The
land is rolling, well timbered and
and the soil is very prolific.
1t is not so much a grass country as
grain, vegetables and fruit, especial
" the latter. There are some dairy
arms, however. Just now the wood
and is full Of the flowers peculiar
20 the south, blue violets and honey
uckle being most conspicuous on
he ground, with dogwood and Grape
myrtle among the taller vegetation.
rhe many orchards are swwete with
The many orchards are sweet with
he perfume of apple, plum, pear and
beach blossoms. Here and there a
,atalpa adds to the wealth of color.
Fairfax Court House is the name
If the township which is the shire
own of Fairfax county, and the
yillage is about the size of Danvllle
ireen. 1t is located on a rise, and
a beautiful view of the
ich rolling country for miles around.
t is fine type of sleepy old
outhern village, with two or three
torres, a hotel and the county
buildings. The Mrs. and myself
we're given a substantial southern
sunday dinner at the neat little
White hotel, consisting of roast
hicken, with gravy, dumplings
nd "fxins, prepared by a very
obust colored "cook lady" and
he repast washed down with cold
rater from the old oaken bucket
yhich hangs in the well in the court
ouse yard. 1
The court house, a small brick
tructure, was constructed in 1900,
nd looks it. The outside walls yet
ear many marks where some OF
ne bullets stopped which flew
round rather uncertainty there
bouts during the COS. The village
as right on the firing line for years,
nd first one army and then the {
.her surged over the neighborhood. {
DOR place to keep chickens in those /
avs, tho a few have grown up '
nee. In the court house yard '
Iere is a rough stone granite mon 9
nent about eight feet in height, t
which is this inscription: {
This stone marks the scene of t
e opening conflict of the war of b
'6l-5, when John @. Mari, Cap j
in of the Warrenton Rifles, who \
as the first soldier killed in action, {
Il 500 feet 3. As W. (mag.) of the C
ot June LIST, '6l. Erected by fl
arr camp, c. ", June LIST, 1904. Il
From which it is evidently meant b
be inferred that Mari was the Il
st soldier of the civil war killed in f
engagement between enlisted p
en-. If this is a fact of history, it Il
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