The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-23
MOUNTAIN LAKE NOTES.
tsp.oial to The Richmond virsinian

Especial to The Richmond Virsinian)
Mountain LAKE. Va, SER. - -
Every mans country is Gods ooua-
try. Notwithstanding that there
are those WAC JourGss every year
from the far North, and ne far South,
from the prairie Of the West ana the
coast of the Atlantic. ~ seek the
Virginia hills, which rise - ma1@stlc
height here in Giles county. and this,
they say is Gods country. Many OF
these have been coming here many
years, for once the spell has nevn
cast upon them IL bifes with them
and fingers TN their memory through
all the winter long. Others come for
the nrst time. having hears of the
great hill country Of y rginaa from
those who make their annual Pill
grimage here. and they, too, be come
worshippers at the shrine
There are those who like the wan
Ing season best OF All OF thos's who
either come very early, or very ,a1e.
rather preferEins the small company
OF guests to the gayer throng in the
height Of the season, There as JUST
such a company here nos and I'D
IL are represented men of nearly an
the professional surgeon. NAo in
caring for the Ills az others has "orn
his own body to The tgea King pG.Et,
the lawyer. the doctor. The architect.
the mining engineer and men ~
large affairs ali are here. SEA- King
rest, seek eng the great eure to' body
and mind. 70 which man a. be st
nearly always turns, camlnC like q
tired child 10 Mother Esrth
Many - forth alone. across The
great hills. or deep lrsta woods hat.
row are crimson This week has been
one of blue skies. heeced with white
!, clouds. a week without wind SO still,
indeed. that for days not a ripple
stirred the lake, making II "a mirror
Ike surface from shore 10 shore
But il is - the NILS That men 80
now, rather than 10 the placid water
which lies &liuusI wILasa the shaao@
Of the hotel Range after range Il
towering ptaEs stretch before one e.
far SIS the eye can reach the out
lines OF the Nearer mountains st&cG-
ing out IN bold reNet. and beyond
them. ether ranges blue aeal1s. she
sky line, peak after peak. melting
away 10 the distance. Until The are
lost 10 vision
Men climb 70 Bald Knob or sun
set Hill 30 see this mighty spectacle.
often stunning others that they may
see IL alone and undistrrbcd. and
wheh the height Is reached they
stand swed AT the majesty OF tire
scene Whether weary4n body or mind
the spell OF the n.Ils steals upon them
and enters into their very souls. That.
is why they go away. silent ana
thoughtful, and that is why they come
again. There is that ia those hllIs
more rtstful 10 then1 than any min
.strstion at the hands Of man. Here
the physician himself comes to be
healed
Many of those WHO Journey here
year after year have seen the moun-
tain ranges IN every part Of the 1an-
try. They come here from the rug
ged peaks OF Colorado, and from the
mountains ara valleys OF California;
from New Hampsnue's white noun
taiis, and the green mountains of
VERMONT. and from the Adlrondacks
and Catskllls of New YORK. They
travel hundreds Of miles through
state after stHte amt find rest in the
blue hills OF Virginia. And they say,
This is Gods country,
At night. nj tire end Of these quiet
Still days of early autumn, men draw
their chairs around the log fire in
the great open fireplace, pipe is
drawn from a pocket, Is filled and
lighted And the hrst smokers ex~
ample is followed by others There
is DOT a great deal Of conversatf or.
aud soon The other talk seems 10 cease
aatogefhe and (hs, Slfs, GIG ltrday clock
on the mantel and the suffering logs
have it ali to themselves The men
have lost themselves to the keen en-
Joyment of smoking. and to gazing at
the burning logs. Long tramps have
been made during the day, and they
have not even changed their boots,
CIR sogt shirts and etraE1royS They
are tired In body far the tramp over
mountains in this country is not mere
child's play. but they are content. for
they have In their souls the peace
of the hills