w a tall and very polite colored man
drive up. I was struck with his appearance, and asking him his name,
he said George W. Coston, sir. Then you are from Sunsbury, Gates
county, North Carolina." "I was from that place," he replied, "but
have been living in the lower parish since the breaking out of the
war." "Were you a slave or free-born," I inquired. "I was a slave," he
responded. "Who was your first owner that you recollect." "Capt.
Richard Brothers, on the desart road, Nansemond county, Va., who died
with the cold plague in 1817," he readily answered. He appeared to be
very much pleased when I told him that his first master was my
grandfather. He looked at me very straight and asked me my mother's
name, and upon my answering Margaret, he said he thought he could see
a family likeness, and said my mother was the first mistress he ever
had, she "drawing" him in the division of my grandfather's property. I
left him at Driver's Store and never saw him again. I have since heard
that he was dead. I often thought of the circumstances of the meeting.
Such frequently occurs and brings up recollections that are buried in
oblivion. The corroborative testimony of George satisfied me that
"Davy" was true in what he related to me about what happened at
Orapeake Mill Pond, in Gates county, North Carolina, near the
beautiful village of Jonesville, on the Grand Trunk Railroad.

That the Lake of the Dismal Swamp is to become the great centre of
attraction there can be no reasonable doubt. Recent demonstrations in
that direction go to prove beyond cavil the fact. The visit of John
Boyle O'Reilly, editor of the Boston Herald, Mr. Mosely, of
Washington, and several other distinguished persons, go to prove the
fact. Contiguous as it is to the celebrated Magnolia Springs, with its
vast hunting grounds, will be a sufficient inducement to invite
sportsmen from all sections. It is certain that a railroad will be
surveyed and constructed, commencing at or near Magnolia Springs,
which will tap the Lake near the famous apple tree, and as a grand
hotel will be constructed at the Lake visitors will have the privilege
of stopping there or at the Springs. A sufficient amount of capital
can be had for all purposes necessary, and as the hotel will be built
about one mile from the shore of the Lake, it will be free from yellow
flies, fleas, mosquitos, snakes, alligators, bears, pole cats and
other annoyances which more or less infest the hotel. The h