Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-01-09
A Vision of the Pass.

In relating this vision, so far
as memory recalls the incidents
of years past, in the hope that
it may bring cheer and comfort
to the hearts of those faithful
old Confederate Veterans. who
passed through that terrible civil
war. and have since fought
successfully the wolf from his
door. Many of them have passed
the SEVENTEEN milestone in life.
and are now sitting calmly by
the riverside, awaiting the
summons, well done thou good
and faithful servant" Comet
come up higher, where peace.
JOY and happiness reigneth for
ever, and where war, pestietence
and famine are unknown. And
comrade, if you have placed the
same confidence and faith, in
the great Judge of all the earth,
that you once placed in that
immaculate leader, General r.
E. Lee, you need not fear to
enter into the mysteries of the
great beyond.
1t has been many years, since
the shrill call of the cavaliers
bugle and the clash of arms was
heard on the hills and plains of
Virginia, yet the echo is ringing
still. Age may add age to its
stories, but nothing can crowd
the events of the civil war from
the memory and hearts of the
old Confederate Soldier. The
historian and the sage have
written the story, but when a
few old Veterans meet arol n /
the festal board or their humble
hearthstones, there is a charm
not found in the pages of history.
Just before the call OF the
bugle to arms was heard on the
hills and the plains of Virginia,
in company with a dozen couples,
of my companions and school
mates, mounted on those splen-
did roadsters of the times, each
with his best girl or sweetheart,
we gave the rein and the bit to
our impatient mounts, and rid
ing with the wind, not to the
chase of the fox or the music Of
hounds, but to loves fond dreams.
Overlooking with joy, happiness
and peace to all the world, on
we rode, through the charming
scenes of country, through vale
and forest. How charming and
graceful they sat their steeds,
with nothing to mar the pleasur-
ers and happiness that seemed
in store for them, on we rode to
the home of some generous host
and hostess, whore table was
grooming under the delicious
vlandS and meats awaiting our
arrival. Dismounting and caring
for our horses we rejoined our
companions around the festal
board what a delightful enter
tainment how skiifully our
sweethearts parted the thrusts
OF loves eyes as they sat OPP
posite to us at table, but could
not conceal the blush of love and
purity that rested on those
sweet dimpled virtuous cheeks.
Chat the lips of man had never
profaned) After the refresh
ments the carpets and surplus
furniture was hastily removed
from the best room, and place
fixed for the musicians the
dance figures the cotillon and
quadrille with flushed cheeks,
with piercing bright eyes, with
peace and joy and love reigning
In their young hearts.
How skillfully and gracefully
they responded to the step and
time of the music until in the
"wee small" hours, our hostess
announced timeto retire. With re-
luctance we bid them good night
wishing them pleasant dreams.
But why continue, | cannot
bring back the flight of years
nor would | dispel those pleasant
visions if it were in my power.
Sitting by a CRATE fire that
had burned down to one small
fading glow, and over the grey
mountain top the evening star
was leading up the night, as
seen thro my window. My
wife being my companion sat
knitting the tapering fingers
casting stitch after stitch of soft
yarn over those bright knitting
needles, preparing a Christmas
present for some one in need. |
Theflight of yearshad silveredthe
once beautiful auburn locks, the
dimple in the cheeks had faded. |
but the brilliant blue eye retain.
ed the spirit of youth as if it |
were but yes erday we particip-
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