Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-09-26
MISCELLANEOUS READING.

MARVELLOUS CAVE IN MrssIsslPPI.-A fe-
male correspondent of an Eastern journal
writes from Shubuta, Mississippi, Of won
deriul cave near that place as follows:
This cave is six miles long, extending
from Eucetta creek; where we entered, to
Chickasaha river. At the river there are
air holes where the air rushcs in with q
sound like thunder. Mr.. D. took rope
with him and went to the distance Of o
mile. He says that there are shelves formed
in the rock, in the cave shaped like dog. As
the light is held near it, it seems to be COW
cred with diamonds. There are several
snakes formed in the rock that are enough
to scare anybody, they are SO natural
The cave is from ten to fifteen feet wide, and
is between fifty and seventy-fve feet high in
some of the places, and 80 dark that you
can't see foot before you.
On one side it is rocky, muddy and SO
slippery that you are obliged to hold on
to the rocks on the side to keep you from
falling. On the other side there is beau
tifu branch running through it. At the
top Of the cave it is all hard rock, and little
long rocks, like fingers hang down; through
these the water drops slowly and constant
ly. As the Lights carried in, the rocks spar
kle like millions of diamonds.
1t is intensely cold within the cave, and
if the hand be placed on the rocks they feel
like ice to the touch. Ifany one should hap
pen to lose their light in there, he would
never get out. Some of the party went very
far in, and, returning, told US that it was
their opinion that there was human body
there, from the suffocating smell. They
would have stopped to look for it, but their
torches were fast wasting away.
THE JOKE OF THE OH REGIoSs.-The fol-
lowing story is current in Titusville. In 9
neighborhood on the creek lived and labored
a son of Vulcan, who, with bis limited means.
had barrel Y enough to secure small piece Of
land and to obtain a scanty living for his
rising family. The ideas of his children had
been taught to shoot but little in any direc-
ton towards knowledge or refinement, and
he little expected to be anything more than
the village blacksmith. But when tue oil
fever broke OUT, learning of the success of his
neighbors in finding oil. he thought that he
might while away his spare hours OF drilling
a hole upon his own homestead lot; and, hav.
ing tools convenient he went to work, and
after q few weeks of patient industry, waa
successful in obtaining good show OF oil.
1t was soon noised about the village, and
the blacksmith was somebody at once. he
had daughter, also, who had blossomed
into maidenhood almost unnoticed and un-
known, but who now became more an object
of interest to the few young men in that
small community. 1t at once became q
question how to break the ice of former in
difference, and to secure favorable acQuain.
tance with this heiress of the oil well. For
a while the natural timidity of the boys kept
them aloot; but, a last one of the boldest and
best-favored among them determined to try
his luck, and on Sunday evening, attired in
his best, resolutely marched forward and
offered to escort the damsel home, Imagine
his chagrin when she, turning upon him 8
look of lofty independence that would have
done honor to Broadway belle, replied in
language more severe than chaste: mon
sense! you can't come that! Dad has struck
ile!"-B@falo Courier.