Miracles of Blue Ridge Mountain

By Joseph C. Younce

If you love the thrill of a treasure hunt, then this story will take you on one wild ride--gold and silver and also treasures of the heart. Put yourself in Billy's shoes, and get ready for a wild, wild adventure. With love, respect, and honor, he has it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639039883

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Miracles of Blue Ridge Mountain

Joseph C. Younce

Copyright © 2021 by Joseph C. Younce

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

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1

The story started off with a little girl playing in the woods on top of Blue Ridge Mountain in Tennessee. She heard what sounded like children laughing and playing on top of the ridge. When she climbed up to see, she couldn’t believe her eyes, for those in the clearing were two of what she would describe as small angels all dressed in white full-length gowns, and there seemed to be a light-blue light all around them. They were startled by Rose, the little girl coming up on them. They seemed to just float just off the ground. They moved very quickly across the clearing to what looked like a large ball of light. Rose noted one of them dropped something in to get away. As quickly the angels entered the ball of light, it was gone; it just disappeared. Rose was curious at what the little angel had dropped, so she went over to see what it was, and there in the grass lay a blue crystal with a very fine silver chain. She picked it up and put it around her neck. She thought it was quite pretty. It was getting late, so she headed back home. When she got home, she wanted to show her mom what she had found. She went up to her mom. Look, Mom, see what I found in the grass up on Blue Ridg e.

Rose’s mom looked around and told her, Girl, I told you never to go up there. There are very weird things that happens up there.

Rose held up the necklace. But, Mom, I found this pretty necklace up there. See? She showed her mom the necklace.

Her mom looked up to see her neck. I don’t see a thing. What are you doing playing your make believe again? I don’t see a damn thing.

Rose didn’t understand. But, Mom, it is right here. Can’t you see it?

Her mom answered, I don’t see a damn thing.

Hurry up and get your chores done before your Father gets back as you will get a lesson you won’t forget.

Okay, Mom.

Rose can’t believe her mom can’t see the crystal she has on. The crystal made her feel like she can do anything.

Rose’s mom sold all kinds of herbs and potions to cure almost anything; people came to her and bought them almost every day. Rose helps her mom by taking the money the people pay her. Rose’s mom cannot read or write or count money, so Rose does it for her. After all, Rose completed the seventh grade in school.

Rose did not realize that she had the power of the crystal that will cure anyone of anything. People stopped coming because they were cured and didn’t need the cures anymore. Just from touching Rose’s hand, whatever ailment they had was gone.

Well, time went by, and Rose grew up and moved away to get married, and she had a son. She had put the crystal away and had forgotten about it. Her son grew up, and the civil war had broken out, and her son had been called to war. Rose was saddened he had to go, but he had made up his mind to go. She remembered the crystal. She got it from a box she had packed away and put it around her son’s neck. He didn’t see it or even knew it was there. She told him, I want you to be safe and come home when the war is over.

The son left for the war, and in the Blue Ridge Mountains meadow, he was on horseback on a charge against the rebels of the south. When he was riding through the trees, a tree branch ripped the crystal from around his neck and fell to the ground and into a deep wagon rut, only to be buried in the mud. The son was killed in that battle. When Rose found out about her son’s death, she remembered what her mom had said about strange things that happened up on Blue Ridge Mountain. She no longer thought of the crystal, but it is still there today. For this is where the story really begins.

Billy was in an old pickup truck with his mom, Irene, and his dad, Roy. They had everything they own packed in that old struck. They were headed down old Highway 411 headed for Cleveland, Tennessee, where they will turn off to a little town of Duchvill. From there, they will take the mountain road up to Grandpa’s place. Roy had just lost his job in the city and had barely enough money for gas to try to make it to Grandpa’s place. He was hoping he could find some more in Chattanooga, so he told Irene, I hope this old truck will hold together until we reach Grandpa’s place.

Irene answered, I hope so too. There are some pretty steep hills to climb, but I know it will make it.

Billy asked his dad, What is it like at Grandpa’s place? Is there anything to do at all?

His dad answered, I have only been there a couple of times. It is way up on the mountain, and I understand there is an old civil war battlefield on his land, after all the land has been in the family for over 150 years. Billy’s eyes peered up.

That might be a neat place to look around with that old metal detector I got last year for my birth day. Even if it is old, it still marks good. Maybe we can find something we can get some money for, huh, Dad?

His dad answered, Maybe so. Grandpa never let anyone go up there. I hear he used to shoot first and asked question later. He was a pretty good shooter with that old rifle of his.

Irene had been listening to the guys. Now don’t you boys go getting your hopes up. We have to get there first. Billy, you always were a dreamer.

Billy told his mom, You will never catch a dream if you don’t reach out for it.

About that time, they were on a pretty steep climbing hill, and the old truck started to chug and sputter trying to make it up the hill. Roy downshifted and said, Come on, baby, you can make it. We are almost there, just a few more miles to go.

Irene said, There is the sign to Duchvill, four miles. How far is it from there?

Roy answered, It is only four or five miles up the mountain. Maybe we can rest in Duchvill and let the old truck cool down little.

Billy replied, I think that is a good idea. My butt is getting sore from riding so long.

They finally reached Duchvill, and everyone got out. The old truck was steaming from under the hood. Roy opened it up to let it cool down and went to find some water to add to the radiator. Billy and his mom went inside the little old gas station and got a soda pop, which really tasted good on that hot day. Roy came back with a water can and added some water to the old truck, which seemed to be cooling down by now. Roy told Irene, I think the old truck is cooling down now. Maybe we should get started. I want to be at Grandpa’s before dark.

The station attendant came out and asked, Where are you folks headed?

Roy answered, Hennery Adems’s place. Do you know it?

Yeah, up on Blue Ridge. I haven’t seen him in a coon’s age. Is he still alive?

Roy answered, I hope so. I got a letter last week telling me to come on down.

The station attendant answered, Well, I guess so. We don’t see many strangers around here. You say you are a grandson?

Yes, I am Frank’s boy.

Oh yeah, I remember him. He moved away, haven’t seen him since.

Roy answered, Yeah, he was killed in the war.

The attendant said, Sorry to hear that. Well, you folks take it easy. It is a pretty steep, winding road up to the Aden’s place.

Okay, Roy answered. Well, see you later.

The station attendant wasn’t lying. The road sure was steep and winding. Roy had to use first gear almost all the way up, but finally, they saw the old homestead through the trees. Roy said, Well, guys, we are here. Thank God. It had me wondering for a while.

Irene asked, Is that Grandpa there on the porch? I have never met him.

Roy told her, It sure is. He spends a lot of time in that old rocking chair. He doesn’t move around much anymore. You see he has arthritis real bad, and he also has Alzheimer’s, so he may not even remember me right off. So be patient, okay?

Irene said, We will do our best.

Roy hollered out, Hi, Grandpa, how are you?

Grandpa looked up. Who the hell are you? We don’t want any salesman up here. Didn’t you see the damn sign? Salesmen will be shot.

Roy put out his hand and said, Hi, Grandpa, it’s me, your grandson, Roy, remember?

Ah yeah, how are you, boy? I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age. Who is that with you?"

Roy answered, "Grandpa, this is my son, Billy, your great-grandson, and this is Irene, my wife.

Billy said, Hi, Grandpa.

Irene added, Glad to meet you.

Grandpa replied, Well, just don’t stand there. Come on in now. We have company.

They all went into the house; they saw a very neat living room with dollies everywhere, old-fashion lamps, and an old TV in the corner.

Billy’s eyes brightened up. Great, they got TV.

Grandpa said, It only gets two channels. Need to fix the antenna to get the other two channels, but I can’t get up on the roof anymore.

Billy said, I would be glad to get up there and fix it, just tell me what to do.

Grandpa told him, That would be good. Maybe tomorrow.

Billy said, Okay, we can do that.

By this time, Grandma had come out of the kitchen where the smell of fresh bread filled the whole house. She greeted Roy, My Lord, Roy, I haven’t seen you since you were this high. How are you? She gave him a big hug.

Hi, Grandma. It is so nice to see you, and, Grandma, this is my wife, Irene, and this is Billy, my son, your great-grandson.

Grandma reached for Billy. Oh my, come here, child. I finally get to meet my great-grandson. She smothered him with a big hug, and you, Irene, my memory is not as good as it used to be, so happy to meet you. We have a lot of catching up to do."

Billy asked, Is that bread I smell?

Grandma replied, Oh my Lord, I almost forgot. Irene, could you please take it out of the oven for me? With my arthritis and bad hip, I can’t move as fast as I used to.

Irine told her, Sure, Grandma, I would be glad to, and she hurried up to the kitchen.

Billy told his dad, It is starting to rain. Do you think we should get the truck unloaded?

Roy said, Yes, we had better.

Grandpa told Roy, Oh, he’ll wait until tomorrow, just put it in the barn. It will be dry in there.

Okay, Grandpa. And he is out the door.

* * * * *

Billy said, Hey, Grandpa, Dad said this place has been in the family for a long time.

Yes, it sure is. My memory is not as good as it used to be, but I think for 120 to 180 years.

That is all the way through the civil war.

Yeah, there were a lot of battles up in the Blue Ridge meadow. My dad found all kinds of things. I don’t know what he did with them.

Billy told Grandpa, I have a metal detector. Do you think I could look around up there?

What the heck is a detector? Grandpa asked.

Oh, it finds metal that is buried in the ground.

Grandpa told him, Oh, hell I don’t care, do what you like. There is not much to do up here.

Thank you, Grandpa, Billy replied.

Grandma came into the room and had heard what Grandpa was saying. Oh, Gramps, now don’t you go filling that youngster’s head with all kinds of stories now.

Oh hell, I don’t remember that many, anyway.

Irene came out of the kitchen. Grandma, this bread sure smells good.

Oh my Lord, you kids must be hungry. I’ll get to fixed supper right away.

Irene said, I’ll help you if that is okay.

Sure, come on let’s get busy. They head off to the kitchen.

Roy then came in all wet. Well, I got the truck in the barn just in time, it is pouring out there.

Grandpa said, Yeah, they said we were in for some rain. We need it, getting pretty dry up here, hope no fires start from lightning.

Grandma came into the living room. You boys get washed up for supper. It is almost ready.

Everyone was seated around the kitchen table with bowls of mashed potatoes and gravy, black-eyed peas, friend chicken, fresh bread—you couldn’t ask for anything any better.

Roy told Grandma, I am going to get our stuff unpacked tomorrow.

Grandma replied, "You kids can have the two