Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-06-09
A PEEP AT sHEPHERDSTOwN.
BY !. o. Knott.

/
AS a child, Shepherdsown was TO
me immense in size. LIS streets were
wide, its buildings tall. its stores spac-
/ iDus. The streets, TO me then, we're
pressed TO the sidewalks with people
AS an awkward country boy, | was
| forever humping against some one De-
cause | walked on the wrong side
\ OF the person passing. Lawrence
/ Rentch once saw some Of US boys
/ humping along in this fashion, and
! country-boy style, looking back over
our shoulders as though we were afraid
some one were after us, when he said
| in a sort of undertone, Country boysw
| wondered then how he knew so
much. But all is plain to me now. II
we had Seen placarded, our origin and
habitation could not have been more
fully declared.
However, while the streets Of Shep-
herdstown are now Just as they were
then, and the houses are largely I'M
changed, the town has necessarily and
strangely shrunk. AS | walked the
streets nevertheless there was scarce
ly house passed that did not have
some association with my childhood
and early Schoolboy days. Scarcely
thinking what | was, doing in passing
Inc Sic OI tie WV pOSlOHlNC, iOOhNN
to see the bright smile of Miss Ella
Welshans, as she was about to say: 81
think, John, there is letter for you"
| am glad that the old engine house
still stands. Shepherdstown would not
be the same if it we're removed.
Some one told me to see the editor
| of the Register at certain drug store
building. If he had said: "At or near
Bert Magruder's drug store" ! could
have found the place. AS it was,
Numbered about considerably. In pass
ing down one Of our streets, Will Mil
Ter came out and greeted me. He
looked so much like himself that was
startled. II seemed as though | had
lust seen him a few weeks before, in
stead OF for more years than he or
care to tell. In passing the "B.
Baker" corner. | naturally looked for
that sharp-featured, undertaking in
dividual, whose movements were as
quick as his nose was sharp. In the
Licklider section of the town ! found,
as expected, Will Licklider talking
with Will Butler-both of them defying
years. and looking like they are good
still for one more generations dur
, alton here. Will Licklider had the
. same old smile, and shows nothing yet
to tell that he was boy Of some size
when | was a boy in my early teens
AS all three Of us were chatting, Mr.
Rebo Stalev Joined us Mr.. Huxley
said, once, "For long life and achieve
ment, give a man plenty Of chest"
we'll recall Mr.. Staley, in the prime
of his manhood, straight as a popla-
and with an eXpanse Of chest that
meant vitality. He is now far UP in
| At. -. a. ~ ~ -, liz,
ing with those who live.
/ was glad to greet Mr.. George M
Beltzhoover and his wife, as they
sauntered up the street He still cuts
off his words with a celebrity that sug-
gests the Washington Stars paper
knife. always associate Mr.. Beltz-
hoover with Prof McMurran. think
Mr.. Beltzhoover saw that great teacher
as few others saw him, and felt the
power and pathos Of his industrious
but lonely life. ANYHOW, | know that
the teacher looked largely TO the law
yer for many things incident to tho
college.
A peep at Mrs. Kate Rentch Wy
song Il hope her husband will let this
way OF designating her standi was no!
to be missed. found the same
straight, wiIlowy Kate, looking vital
and cheerful, with a voice not a whit
changed | would have known hev
voice anywhere. She was our leading
lady" in all church and parlor the
atricals in earlier days. The first
"show" ever attended was n the
Methodist Church South (shades of
A. A. P Neel-not then DastorD and
Kate Rentch quite child was the great
attraction. | did not then know her
name. but heard my mother say, on
coming home, that Kate Rentch was
perfectly killing" and quoted to others
some of her stage" savings.
Some thought in our college days
that the now Mrs. Charles Wysong
was stiff and distant. But to those
who knew her, her heart was YER
table souls home. How many con-
fdences on college love af'ars she
heard and adjudicated, she only knows. 7
remember well took my ease" to
her and got sage advice.
Tncn Helen Pendleton was to De
seen, even II the train was missed. The
Little Green Tea house" ar the loot
or the river hu.. found neither little
nor green, but spacious, and elegant in
its cleanliness. AS sat with the prouc
proprietress (proud of her plant on
the cool, screened porch, and partook
of delicious Strawberries and tea. the
clock hands Of time went bac'; as you
see them 90 forward in the movies.
was once mere face to face with
Aunt Tippy," cas- Hugh Allen calle-
Mrs. d. D. Pendleton) and in Helen
| saw her mothers eyes, her smile.
and above all heard her very voice
Not for long time has visit left up
on me such an impression of the myS-
terry and awfulness of life, and its pow
or 20 transmit human Characteristic.
OF course Helen and ! talked. For
once, the other party talked and lis
tened. and was glad to listen. stuck