Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-11-02

tic diversions. He simply lived fifty
years ahead Of his time in this partic-
ular. Taking him all and all, have
never known a man with a more tender
heart, nor with reader hand to help
the distressed. His early death left
a social void that has never been filled.
Mr.. j. NJ. Hendricks, Still living.
built his new brick home by the side
OF that marvellous clump OF oaks which
he has had. the fine sense not to touch
in all these years. The Hendricks
home is in what was then known as the
Hoffman neighborhood. The house
has been we'll preserved and looks
much now as il did when built. II
soon became a center of church innu-
ence, as my grandmother Knott lived
there with her daughter, Mrs. Hen
bricks.
Another new home that went I'D
about this time was the brick struc-
ture Of Mr.. George S. Knott, on the site
Of the old log house BY the side OF the
woodland near the Banks home This
soon became the preachers favorite
stopping-pla The table literally
groaned with good things, and the very
pear trees and grape vines in the gar
den, within touch Of the front door.
cried out TO be picked. as they we're
loaded with most enticing fruit Here
the horse rack was not without a horse
at any time of the day; and the proprie-
tor and his home-loving wife seemed
10 have time on their hands to talk by
the hour or by the halliday to all
guests. No one seemed TO be in hur-
~, yet work went on without let or him
drance.
There were other homes, such as the
quiet one Of Mr.. Davy Hoffman, that
savored of old-time peace and hospi-
tally; the home of Mr.. John Hoffman
| down on Rattlesnake Run, and famous
for its fir trees and pretty girls in
| the early days. The Osbourn place,
! for miles, looking from our neighbor-
hood towards Shepherdstown.
But what has become Of this COM
munity Of wonderful and peaceful
! homes, with its wealth of promising
young people and such powerful
church constituency? A small and in
adequate school house stands by the
road, near the Cross Roads, and speaks
in words that need not be articulated
OF want Of vision on the part of the
community. The church in the neigh
borhood stands bleak and cherries,
with premises unattractive and trees
fast being cut away to leave it still
more cherries. The neighborhood
store is the same binding that stood
there years ago, and scarcely a build
ing in the way Of home has gone up
for years. Many old homesteads have
been permitted to fall into a state OF
dilapidation, or are tenanted now by
persons who can have no interest in
their upkeep
The young people of this favored
and wealthy community have gone to
the city-at least they do not care TO
stay at home. Homes have not been
modernlzed, save in few instances
An auto stands at the gate in every
instance ready to take the community
| people to town, just as soon as the
days work is done, and often before
! il is done. But must progress-and
the auto is progress-mean that old,
established and cultured homes in a
community as influential and moral as
this community has long been, must
be sacrificed to the mere pull of the
town moving picture or the chatter of
mere street talk? Why should not
the country home pull the town peo-
pie, as it did in former days, and fill
1.-THE spacious front yard with autos of
town people glad to gather in the
country home of peace and look upon
the autumn colors that are now so
gorgeous?
! shall not say why | think the
trend is towards the town instead of
the town towards the country, but I
have my decided convictions. AS
saw the old home Of my father and
mother (now renovated and modern
lied as we'll as beautifed) and noted
the guests that came in on SUNDAY
afternoon, from every part of the com
munty and from the town as well,
and heard that this is but a common
experience every Sunday afternoon,
was convinced that | saw the secret
OF country influence and happiness.
Not all Of the homes of this favor
ed community have been neglected as
some have been. Here and there is
to be found CLEAN Of the old-time
hospitality and home love. Proprie-
tors are either, in some instances,
Keeping up homes already built, or
are making alterations to modernize
these buildings. But this sort of
thing is the exception rather than the
rule. Surely no one will think me
dis'oyal to my own community when
| deplore the absence OF that evidence
OF progress in home making and home
keeping that is on every hand.
Why should front yard be sacri-
feed for a potato patch ? WHY should
a majestic ook, that Time has grown
| through a hundred years no I;ob.l,
cut down to make shingles? Why
should color used as paint, shrek out
against color, When reds, yellows,
green's, blues, browns, drabs-and
what-not, are seen in one set Of build
i e. ANr