Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-03-16
THE SALT BOX.
By ST. JOHN BYER.

The long story weatherboard build
ing which stood nearly opposite the Epis-
copal rectory had an interesting history.
Whether it was first erected as Temple
of Religion is uncertain-it surely had no
signs of ecclesiastical architecture; its
small windows were the old twelve-light
seven-by- panes, the only benign
feature about it; nor had it arch, steeple
or bell. Yet it was used as their place Of
worship by small coterie of the Old
School Presbyterians, who differed from
their New School brethren about degrees,
probably the thermometric degrees, OF
the birthstone regions-and this held them
aloof from joining in the larger, more i'm
posing church and its services. The Old
School circle was very small, scarcely
more than warranted by the ST. ChrysoStom
prayer, "of the two or three gathered
together ;" but what they lacked in num-
bers was made up in the self-confidence
that they stood atthe pinnacle ofrighteous-
ness, as was the proud boast OF one OF
them: THAT they were the very salt OF
the earth" Thereupon some irreverent
wit, who had not the fear OF the Lords
salty saints before his eyes, christened
their Temple of Worship as the "Salt
Box"-and that name clung to it tena-
ciously ever afterward.
II was after time deserted by the Old
School brethren, who found more ap-
propriate room in the second story OF the
corner near the Odd Fellows lodge, tho
not in the range OF its all-seeing Eye,
which looked out in a different direction.
Here they had more suitable meeting
room, papered up in religious forms and
colors, and here they remained until the
last vestiges OF that faith were translated
into the beyond. Now in place OF their
gospel being dispensed in that room,
good Br ther Baker dispenses couches OF
luxury and other appurtenances OF an ef-
Terminate civilization.
But the Salt Box, when abandoned by
the Old School of Religion, was rededica-
ted as Temple OF knowledge, and therein
our good teacher, Mr.. John S. Pierce,
disbursed the light OF classic learning on
this community. So the placeiS hallowed
in memory, TO many OF us, as Our intro
duction TO the wisdom OF the sageS OF
Greece and Rome. This was IFS high
day OF prosperity and usefulness, con-
tinuing until nearly up to the breaking out
OF the war. Thereafter il was used Tor
the same school purposes by the Misses
McMurran and Billmyer.
But its saltiness could not save il from
going the way of all the earth, when a
rich gentleman built splendid home on
the lot, and dsrespectfully cleared out
the old ramShackle Salt Box as being not
fine ornament 10 his villa residence;
yet for this dissertation and removal OF
the old landmark it had sweet revenge,
for when this fine, ariStocratlc edlfice
haughtily turned up its nose and socially
animadverted on its neighbors OF the alley,
the horse and cow stables and the habitatS
of porkers, they resented the imputations;
so there was continual warfare there
about for many years-aS long as the siege
OF Troy. Yet the stables proved to be
stable, and the beautiful home with its
fullness OF flowers, shrubbery and foliage
finally capitulated TO the offensive war
fare waged upon it, with the sad reflection
that Paradise and pigpens would not
socially harmonise. But il is an i'll wind
that blows nobody good, and this NAL
odorous zephyr resulted in the trans
planting OF amore magnifcenthome now
called "Popodicon," that stands on the
northern eyebrow of this old town as the
famous Borghese villa and gardens form
the finer fringe OF Rome. The name
Pottsdam, OF the most celebrated of the
European royal palaces, seemed so ap-
propriate-but perchance the wise owner
foresaw the obloquy that now surrounds
even The homes of the German Kaiser.
After all, the old town must have lure
OF quaintness, that gentlemen OF wealth
and culture, as DR.. Crawford and Mr..
Muzzey on the west and MeSSrS. Potts
and Jarrett on the north, should come and
here plant their homes. Though we re-
gret those destroyd By the war, yet these
have been replaced by much finer and
modern houses. Here is naught OF the
rush and hustle of mushroom places, yet
il surely is not decadent village OF the
plain, as Sweet Auburn, but holds its own
in quiet dignity, keeping abreast OF the
times-a good example OF the much-de-
sired stationary stage Of civilization.
The old Salt Box and the Jail Jug at
the end OF the same street are pleaSanter
and quainter as memories than they would
now stand as realities. Even so, that old
eyesore, the street halls protrusive pres
ence. could be exchanged for that OF a
fond regretful memory, much TO the ad-
vantage OF all thereabout. When build
ings have outlived their days OF useful
ness and beauty, let them come down
gracefully. Ugly old traps, alike sin,
are shame to any people.