Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-04-11
A "Reminiscences of An Old Landmark

In 1853 just SO years ago, the Warmers
moved TO Princess street IN Shepherds
town. Our firsi great impression was
the long white Sti aciure, the Line house.
Back in the background was iannery
conducted by the Line brothers. Many
rolls of leather passed through the old
gate. Along with the business was a
tradition, and every day the nelghbors
would say, "If only load OF bark would
come to town, we would have rain.
Very soon huge pie OF bark, mountain
high, could be seen on its way TO the
lanyard, and the neighbors would at once
get ready for the rain which, strange, but
true, would soon follow.
Along the side of the old white house
was the town run, which did much help
! full work IN those days. The run was
encased in crib made of the old-time
forest, so stout and thick one would think
it never would decay. The water fell
from this CRIB to its bed beneath the
street, and the sound OF TIE falling water
was very great, so much so that we were
afraid that it would disturb our slumberS
and we would have sleepleSS nights.
But e'er long it was pleasant sound and
we learned 10 love its murnur and the
dear old run.
Opposite our windows was beautiful
! flower garden, planned and worked by
! Mrs. Line Masses oil flowers grew there
from April until November troStS. How
memory recalls the many pleasant even
ingS we spent Sitting al our windows
looking into this beautiful garden and
listening TO the fall OF the water as il re-
sounded along the street. And then came
the tinkling OF COW bell, leading drove
OF milk COWS, fresh from the pasture field,
making their way 10 the barnyard for the
night.
How often have we sat at our doorway
with friends and listened to the fall OF
water, while the moonlight direct from
heaven Shone through the trees. 1t was
beautiful 10 us. The old Line house was
kept merry-lightS fitted from window
to window, for there was one who was
blithe and gay, dafk-eyed maiden with
Siken hair and merry laugh, who was
the center of attraction.
On summer nights the old street would
be awakened by Miss AnSpach, fresh
from her teacher IN Baltimore, who would
render sweet music that brought crowds
TO hear. But all this was OF short dura-
ton. The beautiful ddrk-eyed maiden
became the bride OF wealthy man and
went away. The younger sister went
into consumption and died young, and
was soon followed by her aged father.
Then came a change. The family scat
tered. Mrs. Line, the beautiful garden
designer, went to live in her own home
NOW the Hodges house, The old home
went into the hands OF aSon, MIR. Thomas
Line, he was a good nelghbor. Not
being able to do other work, he devoted
his time to gardening, and Can memory
forget the arnlSful OF tine vegetables he
would carry through the old gate across
the street and present to his nelghborS
And now in the once beautiful garden
handsome house is erected, new lights
have ooScured the lovely moonlight, the
crib that held The water so long and faith
fully gave away, and the dear old run
must fall to its silent bed, passing under
the Streetto IFS destiny. And now, The
saddeSt OF all, the old white structure IS
gone-torn ruthleSsly away. Not sigh
is given, not tear is shed, save by my
SELF A tear must fall, and ! must say
goodbye, old white house; goodbye,
old landmark. Can memory forgetp
Never ANNIE WARNER.