The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-08-16
Up in the Blue Ridge.

I'd in the Blue Ridge.
Up among these great mountains
of God, the birthplace of clouds
that carry all mantled the rains
that water the earth, refreshing
vegetation, giving drink to man
and beast, where is the genesis Of
many river unknown to the rank
and file Of the race is scenery ever
changing. ever new, upon a scale
equaled only by its grandeur and
sublimity, rich beyond all compare
in varied color shade and light the
lover of nature may roam un-
wearied, satisfied. because of the
sp1endor of the rich new visions
constantly arising on scale and
sweep in sublimity commensurate
only with its inexhaustible treas
ureS.
How enhancing so ever the view
one may turn from it without hes
itation. for scenes quite as pleasing
open to view, calling as they open
into other visions rare, one cease
lessly on. No one attempt to throw
it on canvas, however skilled the
artist, to paint it in language, how
ever able the descriptive powers,
because in all things in all ways
at all times tbs nature in holiday.
Sometimes the great masters at
tempt visions in small scale beg
CARED by the reality for the rich
color, the low sweet music Of bird
or purling streamlet, the roar and
thunder Of cataract, the deep still
ness of dark solitudes and the
nunberIess other niceties defy the
artists power to touch transfer.
Here the lover Of flora may revel
the livelong day in the blow Of
flowers varied and rich in color
from the deep blue Of the vault
ed skies to the glowing crimson
of its glorious sunset skies, dis
covering rare beauties in the un-
frequented recesses. And such
music as fills the air from the day
dawn, ushered in by the shrill
cheerful whistle Of "old Bob
White, fit harbinger of merry
day, or the mournful notes Of the
cooing dove, timely monition that
life consists of light and shadow.
Soon the air is teeming with busy
life of bird. bee, butterfly etc.,
happy, content as though in the
very garden of God. The homes
are capacious refugees Of rest, COM
fort, ease, repose. whose leaders.
full to bursting with all manner of
deIicacies found grown and gath
reed here. If in any place, here
one may dream his life away, for
each season has its pursuit of Ia
Dor, pastime and pleasure. never
too warm or cold that sweet COM
fort cannot be found.
Some years ago the writer met
a man mature in years, we'll trav-
eled from Pennsylvania for he had
the means You know who dec1ar-
ed that never had he found any
spot more surprisingly luxurious
in it's outlay of the grand and
beautiful Alabama as this land of
the sky. Do you know. did not.
and suspect investigation would
put you in my company imagine
that each days wanderings here
unfolds scenic unceived. uncon-
ceivabIe, and drop from the lips
Of the mountaineer of other so
majestic as never to grow common,
vulgar, but with every recalling
awakenS emotions akin to rever-
ence worship?
And this country. almost mac
cessibie till the building of the G.
c. & c. Ry.. then difficult by reason
Of miserable roads, is now being
opened up to the world who will
revel in it as in nothing else to be
found elsewhere. Oh, yes, they
can tell you of Asheville. Hender-
sonville, ETC., with their attractions
but all these will pale. grow tame
to him whose high delight is COM
munion with nature in her best.
when he has come to this land
teeming with visions rare, re-
plenishment. unheard of. new.
AT present the difficulty of ac-
commodation stands boldly out, but
in short time that will be re-
moved.
"Hagood," Eethea.
AItanaSS and Snr11ce Pine e.