Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-12-13
RETURNED TO LEXINGTON
AFTER MANY YEARS
"reminiscences Of Former Resident
Of Community

In the fall OF 1860, the writer of
this, then child of about years,
in company with his little sister,
mother and other friends, wendell
their steps toward what was then
called, il / remember correctly, the
Point" or landing for the packet
boats plying then between Rich
mond, Lynchburg and the up-coun-
try points-Lexington, Buchanan,
etc, l was going unwillingly, for
besides leaving the only home ever
knew up to that time. l left behind
me little playmate Of a dog. and
l recalled for years afterwards the
scene Of the little animal standing
on the wharf crying after us as the
boat was pushed out into the stream.
mention this little personal Incl
dent merely TO show that / was once
an inhabitant of your PRETTY little
town, and, like SO many others,
perhaps, "roamed."
L am glad to say, however that I
availed myself OF an opportunity to
revisit the scenes of my earliest
childhood recently. on Thanksgiv-
ing Day. But felt very much like
RIP Van Winkle! Poor Ripl How j
sympathized with him, more than
ever. The poet has said that Eel
low-feeling makes us wondrous
kind" True, did not notice that
my clothes were of a century old
pattern, nor did any OF your good
people refuse to handle my coin be-
cause Of a wrong profile being on IL:
yet. when l commenced to look about
for some one might know, or who
might know me, found that l was
as much OF stranger in my old
nome as was poor old Rip. But fifty
one years is quite sufficient length
OF time for any one to be forgotten
in. am sure. 1t was not q case OF
forgetting. however. but something
else, to which l will refer later on.
Or course. among the first things
one thinks Of on returning to the
scenes of his childhood is the old
home, or what was called home.
Although Lexington has. of course.
changed much in 81 years, yet /
easily found the building in which
we lived. And what q food of
memories came rushing back to me!
There was the door in which little
sister and used to sit, Supremacy
content with each other; there was
the self-same street Chen q road. in
which we would chase the lightning
bugs on moonlit nights; there was
the same window outtof which we
would watch the pattering rain as
ii would splash up from puddles in
the street. forming. as we would
childishly say to each other, cups
and saucers." and there was the
same backyard in which your cor
respondent would stand and look
up at the assembled worshipers
next door, proudly displaying his
dumb watch and chain which had
come in the box from father.
While l stood near the spot and
my mind was dwelling in and run.
ming over the scenes and faces of
away back yonder." felt impelled
to accost a passer-by with the re-
mark, MY friend, pardon me. but
do you know OF any one who has
been in this neighborhood for fifty
odd yearsr He thought awhile,
and then slowly shook his head. but
added that he himself had been a
resident for fifty-two yesrs. Hard
ly enough to know me. l unused to
myself. However. l thought !
would inquire the gentleman's name.
He proved to be younger brother
of one of the little boys knew then.
That was as near as I could come
in finding anyone. though 1 made
diligent inquiry. Name after name
was called over of those whom /
remembered someth ing about
friends OF my parents. etc. but one
answer came about all-they were
all sleeping in the quiet little grave
yard yonder.
uay;nD q Etxla tina M r,v hardo