Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-09
ME- pile of railroad ties on
which the Rambler sat,
smoked and dreamed at the


to Great Falls and Persimmon Tree
lane. according to his narrative last
Sunday. was still there when no
passed that way again to gather the
few facts and collect the few thoughts
which he means to set down in this
story. Winter walking seems to be
less productive OF facts about peo-
pie than summer walking One
meets fewer persons on the road in
the season of short days and cold
winds, and many of those one does
meet are in hurry, even on Sunday.
They are in haste to get to church,
and If 1t were not such a shocking
observation. the Rambler might set
it down that they seem to be also in
hurry to get away from church.
But that cannot be because their de-
votions have wearied them. 1t is
probably because dinner Is ready at
home for no matter how curious it
may seem to Washington people, it
Is still the custom of those who live
among the hills and wales, the woods
and fields of the country around Wash
ington to eat dinner in the middle of
the day. Lunch or luncheon is a word
and meal of which they make very
little use.
A man walking fast along country
road with his overcoat buttoned up
to his chin, his hands thrust deep in
his pockets, wooden muller wound
several times around his neck and
the flaps of his rabblt-skin or COON
skin cap drawn tightly over his ears,
is generally not in the humor to hold
long conversation about the antique
ties of the county, its early colonial
history the ifS nnnn1n n ynI In
the revolutionary war, the great SOL
diers it contributed to the Union and
Confederate armies and subjects of
that sort. He is in a hurry to get
home where the fire is burning
brightly and the fragrance OF fried
chicken or boiled ham and cabbage
fills the dining room and kitchen, and
perhaps, in the case of ham and cab
bage. spreads itself throughout the
house.
The best conversations for rambling
purposes are obtained while sitting
by tho roadside or perched on the
top rail of fence, but in either of
those situations conversation flows
more agreeably in May than in De-
ccmber or in February. And again, in
the part of Montgomery county
through which the Rambler is now
walking. his fame has not yet made a
profound impression on the people.
On the Virginia side of the Potomac
from the Chain bridge to Leesburg, up
and down the pixies and crossroads
and along Difficult run, Sugarland
run, Broad run and Goose creek he
wrote so many stories last summer
and fall about ancestors, tombstones.
old houses wild flowers. pine trees,
autumn foliage, landscapes and
creeks that most of the inhabitants
came to know him. Perhaps even
few of them almost came to like him,
but that is q personal matter which
has no place in these rambles. On the
Montgomery side of the river the case
Is different. The people have not yet
awakened to q realization of the dis
tlnction that has come to them-that
is, the distinction of having such a
long walking and longer writing
tramp in their midst,
Before going further in this narra-
tive the Rambler means to make n
place here for three little letters
which have come to him and which
relate to the Loudoun county rambies.
The first OF these letters follows:
Your FAMILIES are very interesting es
pecinlly to II man who has q double dose Of
Janncy blood, rs | have. The John Janney
mentioned IN the Goose creek narratives
not only delegate 10 the Richmond couycn-
tiod, but was president of the convention lie
had close call from hecOmug President OF
the United States in the forties He only
lacked one vote OF being nominated for Vice
President Tyler got the nomination and
elected, and when Gen. Harrison died Tyler
became President. lie was n fine figure In
virginia history and his name is held in ven
Grafton by the older generation In Virginia and
West Virginia. He married Alcinda Marina
rhillFpu-npCpr
Charles Il. Janney of I.cesburg Is his oldest
surviving nephew. My father was another
nephew.
The second letter follows:
I am merely another OF the many who are
writing TO you these days. Int your article
IN Abel Janney causes me 10 break into type
writing. You we'll Informed as to
families | hesitate TO make n suggestion. but
as you often follow one article with others on
the same family. | would like TO say you that
date netghborhoed q most interesting section.
IL was the home OF Samuel Mcpherson Junney.
the Quaker preacher and well known writer.
his poems on Indian life being especially beau-
tifui. This Samuat NJ. Janney was the cousin
ana hrother-in-law OF my grandfather. Samuel
III. Janney of Alexandria The formers
daughter, Miss Cornclia Janncy. stili lives at
Lincoln. at the home place. Meadow Lawn,
Just few yards from the meeting house.
as spent all the summers Of my boyhood
there at the home Of my great aunt Elizabeth,
Mrs. Samuel NJ. Janncy.
The third letter follows:
I trust that You will not consider my note