Evening star., 1909-06-19
ALONG THE POTOMAC AT HARPERs FERRY

agreeable climate, the country near Wash
irgton, especially in Virginia and West
Virginia, contains much that Is of his
toric interest. In the battle Scared re-
gions of these two states there is hardly
a mile of territory that does not contain
landmarks of the struggles of the civil
war. Many other more peaceful and old
er places of historic interest are to be
seen throughout this territory.
The Blue Ridge is the queen of Ameri
can mountain ranges. us long line of
azure heights, set against the bright no
rizon, invites approach with irresistible
aliurements.
Climbing in summer its rugged slopes,
or entering one of it's river portals, the
richest display of the beauty of forest.
rock mosses and running water delights
the eye. The dampness and fervid heat
o. the lowlands are here replaced by cool
shadows and refreshing breezes. The
foot shakes off the hot sand or sitting
red dust and rejoices in the crisp turf
and yielding. fragrant moss and ferns,
clings with firm hold on the granite as
YOU leap from rock to rock In happy
license. The eye no longer shrinks from
the glare of the baking plains. or the
worse monotony of city streets. but rests
gratefully upon green depths of heritage
and foliage or revels in wide outlook
across the verdant dells, distant farm
lands and purple mountains that fill the
landscape OF this western slope.
Haven for Invalids.
Invalids with the best medical advice,
Il they would regain their health, must
have surroundings ihat will lift them "out
ing hat
will interest them, pleasantly excite their
emotional and intellectual natures, make
their pulse quicken and answer with re-
sponsive thrill to the beauty and cheer
full influence of the sights and sounds
about them, and with which they may
daily come in contact.
Walking has been deservingly popular
among visitors at the Blue Ridge. One
favorite point of pilgrimage Is to the
tops OF Wild Cat Knob. A path zig
zags its way to the apex with just
enough steepness and difficulty to make
the overcoming interesting. From this
height q very extensive view can be had
up and down the valley of the Roanoke
and across the fine farming districts at
the base of the Blue Ridge, whose glori-
Gus heights form the background. Tower
ing above all. rise the Peaks OF Otter,
that magnificent pair OF mountains which
stand as the tile-closers Of the splendid
range, and which are always beautiful
no matter how seen, yet nowhere more
imposing than when beheld from this
lofty standpoint. The cool. bracing air
OF the mountains. impreGnated with the
q balsamic odors of the forest. Is invigor-
ating. stimulates the appetite and urges
all who breathe it to active exercise.
Orkney Springs, Va.
Orkney Springs is situated in Shenan-
doah county, Va. on an elevated plateau
among the. foothills OF the Alieghenies
100 feet above the sea level, and has,
therefore, a cool. dry and exhilarating at
nosphere. The temperature seldom cx-
eeeds - degrees in the hottest days. The
the climate is unsurpassed. The mineral
springs are as rich and diversified in the
nature of their medicinal constituents as
any in the world. and the cures effected
have been really marvellous.
The baths of Orkney have always been
one Of the principal attractions. The
water is supplied from the famous Bear
Wallow Spring. 1t not only renders the
skin soft, clear and beautiful, but has
been found cfficaclous in diseases Of the
liver and Kidneys, as well in many
functional disorders. and especially in
mental and physical exhaustion and
rheumatic OF Souty affections. Bear Wal