Newark post., 1910-11-02

us? What reveals the true idea and
kindles Our admiration ior the actors
in the play as visit to the spot and
those surroundings which formed the
setting ior the scene?
Amid all the splendor Of one of these
autumn days our party started out
with such a purpose in view Our aim
was Valley Forge and the scene of en-
actment of one of the most dishearten-
ing chapters in American History. How
undaunted the courage that endured
through that dreadful struggle with
the greater enemy OF cold hunger and
disease is familiar story Every pat
riot has thrilled over the perseverance
OF that leader who never wavered as
the clouds of discouragement gathered
to form for most, only night of de-
spar.
An interesting ride along the Schuvl-
kill from Philadelphia brought us to
that locality made sacred to all Ameri-
can hearts.
We found hacks waiting which were
to convey us over the historic ground.
There seemed to be hills everywhere,
and the horses Immediately began to
climb. When we reached the high land
beynod words failed us and we could
only gaze i'll admirstion--one however,
venturing 10 remark How can a Penn
sylvanian help loving such homer"
Jack Frost had been before us and
had touched the trees with his magic
brushes. Each hill seemed some great
easel on which the master artist had
displayed his collection of wondrouslv
blended and gorgeous hues. Between
the woods were fields of corn dotted
W ihtheir piles OF golden grain, while
the great yellow pumpkins between
the rows added to the suggestion OF
land that was filled with plenty.
Here and there orc hards periumed the
air with their spiciness, and the open
burrs under the chestnut trees called
forth scrambles for some stray nut
which the squirrels and children had
lett behind. Starvation in the midst
OF such plenty! But then we remember
the well-fiiied purses OF the British
were close a. hand, and not all were
Jealous IN the cause of freedom.
The road from the valley to the
eight above is smooth aisle between
le rows OF trees, which gracefully
inds and curves to lessen the steep
ess OF the ascent. Ae we start from
le valley, the way leads between two
eat hills which are called Mount
|isery and Mount Joy. They were so
lmed by Penn, so the story runs. One
pld night he was riding for home.
III day he had ridden in a fruitess
karch for counterfeiters. The way was
pt easily found i'll the darkness. He
ecame separated from the party and
ushed on alone. The wolves discov-
kred the stranger and Atliesfin old
Quaker was freed. a night OF anxiety
ended with the dawn of day, but the
eminence had received its name
Mount Misery. a climb up the next
hill revealed the sp. res fthe church
tower at home, and in his delight he
christened the second height Mount
Joy. And on the crest of Mount low,
the American army went into encamp-
ment
Wash;ngtons headquarters lay at the
foot How many times the great chief
tam has climbed the same steep Slope
as he made his rounds to carry words
of encouragement to the suffering men!
Along this path we hear the faint
sound of water, as it trickles down to
the ? below-as it did in the
bleak December days of I777, and pro-
vided the soldiers with at least one of
the necessaries Of life.
Close by the spring tree was point
ed out as being shoot from the fam
ous old tree which to many of us forms
part OF the most vivid recollection
of Valley Forge.
AS we review the past in search of
ideals upon which to rear the coming
generations, there are certain instances
upon which we unanimously dwell.
One OF these of which we most love
to tel is the story of the kneeling figure
in this grove at Valley Forge.
Each morning in the cold graz OF a
winters dawn, the American leader
knet to meet his God, in the solemn
stiffness of the great out-of-doors. Can
we not catch in this communion the
secret of that hopefulness which ~ilot-
ed him through his period of despair?
We bow our heads in reverence and
pray that the men around whom the
affairs of the Republic center may con-
tinue to be of that same stamp.
From the heights a realization OF the
commander-in chiefs mastery of seiec-
ton overwhelmed us. With what won
derful courage and dscernment he
grasped every chance as he made the
best of disadvantage!
The old campground overlooks a
great sweep of land. 1t is triangular
in shape, the Valley Creek and the
Schuylkill forming two Of the sides.
Along the third of these line of
breastworks was thrown up This,
which at present is like a great long
mound. runs on through the wood We
left the hack here and walked along
the top of the embankment The No
vember wind showered the leaves all
around us We gathered many OF
these most oddly colored lcaves-light
yellow with zig-zag border of scarlet
around the edge Nature seemed to