Year: 1869




IN one of the most salubriOus of the
many mountain localities of the Old Do
minion, was the beautiful village of
Roekridge, not nesting as many small
places do at the foot of hills, but rearing
its head on the SUBMITS of two ridges and
the space or declivity between them.


Rockridge had no fame. No Sulphur
Springs were near it, but travellers en-
route to the far west often halted for a
day or perhaps a week enjoying the de-
licious air, and the beauty of its sur
roundings.


But as my story has little to do with
passers by, will not stop as many of
them doubtless did, to note the red bloom
on the cheeks of the mountain lassies or
the stalwart manhood Of its youths.
will pass at once to the principal feature
of interest, the village cemetery, on a
neighbOring hill. An eccentric old bach
elOr, had willed a considerable portion
of his fortune as follows His gold, ac-
cording to his bequest, was invested in
massive and high wall, with gate cor
responding, built around this cemetery,
kept and in constant repair. A spacious
cottage, and well stocked conservatory,
for the benefit Of the sexton, whose Of
fee was not to dig graves, but to keep in
order, every thing pertaining to the GEM
etery, and who was at liberty to make a
fortune from the sale of flowers, besides
the liberal salary also appropriated for
his use. Bachelor B, had loved in
his youth, but death had laid the fair
girl in this spot, twenty years before, and
the sexton was enjoined to adOrn her
grave with flowers during summer and
evergreens in winter. He was on no ac-
count to live outside the walls but was
to occupy the cottage built and furnish
ed for his use.


AS many of the estates arouud Rock
ridge were wealthy, their owners became
suddenly alive to the fact that this was
the place to invest marble in safety
Monuments of every shape sise, and de-
sign began to rear their polished fronts
above the grassy mounds beneath. In
few months after the wall was finish
ed, more beautiful spot could not be
found in the Old Dominion, than this
cemetery. Nature and art combined
had produced a majestic effect The
wall did not conceal the continued rise
above it, terminating in a fat plain, re-
sembling table land. On this level space
was built, the gothic cottage on one side of
which was the conservatory and garden.
Some of the finest monuments were here
erected; indeed the house and garden
occupied scarce third of the fat extent,
and stood surrounded by tOmbs. Many
a man of small trade and means would
have gladly accepted the office of sex
ton and the comfortable living attached
thereto, but the idea of residing in a
graveyard was a bugbear not easily over
come. The authorities of the town had
almost despaired of filling the place to
their satisfaction, when one day, man
of robust frame, venerable form and fine
old face, presented himself No one
asked for references. Father Piene, as
he called himself, was instantly INSTALL
ed, and as he walked away with the
massive key of the great iron gates, the
town Judge, remarked, "by my faith,
should call that man the king of Sex
tons, what noble air he hasg'


The cemetery became a mania; every
body young and old took a walk up the
hill to see the fine old gentleman, who
had so relieved the community; and he
did not disappoint them. Although a
gentleman, that could be instantly seen,
he was a splendid gardener and q
thorough bOtanist. And in other points
he was perfectly cultivated, His lumin-
Gus mind seemed to emit rays Of all
kinds of knowledge. The young were
perfectly captivated with him, and he
not only sold them flowers, and told
them amusing stories, but he gave them
lessons in morality which they never
forgot, and which influenced, their aftel
lives, making them happier, better,
more refined, and more inclined to look
higher. Among the many who came
into the sphere of this excellent man, was
a young French girl an orphan, whose
mothers grave, was a few rods from the
cottage. Angelique D. OnviIIe was a de,
scendaRt Of thatROhle French name, he1
father had married beautiful peasant
girl and being driven from his fathers
chateau with a curse, sailed to Americg
with his wife and her infant. The old
story Of poverty, sickness and death
Madam D'0lville was z widow in five
years after her marriage. Seeking a stu
alton, she chanced to rest with her chiIC
in this mountain town, and becoming
i'll at the hotel, died in a few days aftel
her arrival there, Angelique or Ange
as she was called, was then twelve year!
old. Five years had elapsed since he
bereavment but her favorite retreat from
study and care was the grave which shr
never tired of decorating with ever
greens and flowers.


Father Piene was very fond of thi
GcsOlate orphan. She had found in him
friend and counsellor in her great hour o
need, years before, and now that her grie
had grown old as the gray wall which en-
circled the remains of her mother, hr
was still faithful to his trust. He hat