Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-08-04

which is a pump, The water of which is cool, b
Z slightly impregnated with sulphur. On top
. the pump IS small board on which is painte
7 "White Sulphur Pump We rest a few m,
ments, ana are on again. One mile further "
cross Middle River. The stream is rapid an
II scarcely fofdabie. ssWhere is the pontoo
bridge ~ We venture--the water soon reache
our feet ID the buggy, and came near spelling th
bottle OF bran--that is, the iced lemonade ,
and violin. some mile from the Cave" Her
4 IS sign -post--or tree, to which is nailed tw
Il boards, on one OF which is marked, ssPort Re
i public, three miles, on the other, ssWeyer'
I Gave, one mile.o Half a mile further on is
charming residence to our right, surrounded b.
| willows. This is the residence of Mr.. NJ, tn
the proprietor of the Cave. We pass this resi-
dence and the scenery is charming. To our righ
| mountain stretches, almost perpendicular, som
three hundred feet above US. On our left, no
twenty yards, flows the South River over it,
rocky bed. The road now is sshard to trayel''--
| it must be the original ssJordan." We now en-
quire the way to the, Cave of a full grown ssc0r
traband.o He points to our right, up the noun
tain side, and remarks, ssDar tbs right in dc
mountain" We look in the direction indicated
| by his digit. No Cave. We proceed, ard en-
Quire of a boy. ssDun and past it, 60 back to
the bars.'' After much difficulty, and nos iii
tie tall "thinking," we turn round and ego back
to the bars" and--"Dar was de Cave' sure g
nough. We could see, through the trees, the
little building at the entrance OF the Cave about
one hundred yards up the mountain side. Upon
enquiry, we learned that no candles could Ue had
but the guide would be there at II 'clock. We
were hungry, and also must have candles. We
start our cavalry-J. C-off TO plunder some
one OF candles and srations," / wandered off l
knew not whore, to procure something to satisfy
our hunger. l soon approached little grove,
and ssI knew by the smoke that gracefully carried,
that cottage must be near" l approached-an
aged negro man, 80 years of age. met me-
ssBncle Tom'' by name. Aunt "Judy" also ap-
peared. How old are you, Uncle Tom ssDont
know massa, speck ise bout S0.'' How old are
you, Aunt Judy ssBout 55 massa." Is Uncle
Tom your husbandf sDeed he aint-too old for
me.'' Here Uncle Tom interposed. and said
Aunt Judy was married last week, whereupon
Aunt Judy coquetishIy turned away her head and
blushed. Aunty, have you anything to eat
"Nothing, massa, cept some blackberry pies,
and dey amt got sspeck OBJ sugar in en-
Bought two big pies without ssa speck OBJ sugar
in EN-, - and started for the Gave. Aunt Judy
followed me to the bars, and asked, 'faint you
de sensus taker ?''
No, aunty, am not, but just at this time l
would not hesitate at tafsRg almost anything, |
even to hot stove, If it was fit to eat L reach
the cave and find my friend, Mr.. r., SOUND |
asleep 10 the buggy. / e.t some pie, was hum
CRY, End lay down under the shade of spread
ing oak. l close my eyes Having an easy
the God ofGreams visited mel was
10 the cave--gloemy indeed. The anterns threw
! CHASTITY glare over the terrible scene OF rocks
and chagms. wandered from onr party through
narrow cavern to gather shells. On, on went
by the wondrous beauty OF the scene, |
which met my gaze at every step. turned bar.
: l looked around me-a hundred cayerns branch |
I'd off in as many different directions. Twas lest
Another moment aud my lantern was struck from |
ny hand by an invisible power. The next mo- |
h<Nrr fnrn nnrh fhn all hah
10 power of utterance, but the sensation was
pleasant. Suddenly we alighted, gently, how
syer, and / opened my eyes. The winged spirits
Eho had borne me hither were gone-Iwas alone.
4 scene of wondrOus beauty now presents itself
% my vision. Before me, extending as far as
he eye can reach, is lake. The water is as
,lear as crystal its surface is as SMOOTH as a
nlrror on each side are flowers of every color
If the rainbow; these emit the most delicious
)dors. Above is arch of extreme regularity.
Brilliant littleian suspended as far as the
,ye can reach. But look something approaches,
iny boat, containing solitary female figure.
sFar, down the silvery tide afar,
There came boat, as swift and bright
As shines in Heaven, some pilgrim star,
That leaves it's own high home, at night
To shoot to distant shrines of light
"And now the fairy boat hath stopp'd
Beside the bank,-the nymph has dropp'G
Her golden anchor in the stream"
She raises her hand toward me. l approach
he lovely spirit. l bowed low, but was mute
vith admiration. Such spirit Of loveliness no
Mortal eye ever rested on before.
Light as the angel shapes that bless
An infants dream, yet not the less
Rich in all woman's loyeiness -
With eyes so pure, that from their ray
Dark vice would turn abashed away,
Blinded like serpents, when they gaze
Upon the emeralds virgin blaze;
Yet filled with all youths sweet desires
Mngiing the m4ek and vesta, fires
OF other worlds with all the bliss,
The fond weak tenderness of this.
On her head she wore crown which hai tbs
ppearance of being made of delicate threaos OF
rvstal, interspersed with small, but brilliant
ewels, On the right of the cr0Tn was placed
cse, possessing every hue OF tue rainbow. Her
air of dark auburn, extended half way to the
fright, siIvery lake at her feet, and foated gent
Y down over a neck and shoulders of clear
,abaster whiteness. She Wore loose, howingl
unic-airy, graceful and beautiful as poets
ream. Such was the beautiful spirit before
7hom I stood, anxiously awaiting to hear the
nusic of her voice. She speaks A voice of
urpassing melody and heay yenly sweetness greets
nv listening ear. An Eolian harp emits not such
sweet sound. Listen! "Mortal! why 90 you
hus intrude upon the charmed and sacred spot
# this, our paradise Lake. No mortal foot
yer pressed the flowers which forever blossom
N its bank before.'
Beautiful spirit las thou art--I crave Tour
aercy. I did but wander from my companions,
ecame enchanted at the loneliness of the scene
efore me--was lost, aud was then borne hither
y unseen hands.
.sMortal you now stand in the presence of
be EnehantresS of Paradise Lake u 1 have
een instructed by Higher Power, who reigns
ver the spirits of this mighty cavern, to forgive
nd spare, at my discretion, the FIRST intruder to
his mystic and charmed Lake. But let this les
on be forever impressed upon your memory -
ne brightest paths often feadeth TO destruction!
Aaothaa intrudeI htlo, and he is LOST FOREVER II
sol your pathway Is open. You will soon be
ejoined by your companions; but, you value
eur life and soul, look not back upon this scere.
'orges the warning, and you instantly fall vic
i'm to the Demon of the Cavern, over whom [
ave but limited control, Go!'' Heavenly
pirit, permit me to speak one - ssNo more
1ortal, depart while you may L have exercised
nv discretion in your favor-no more departi
/ turned from this heavenly scene. The path
yas open and clear to me. At this moment the
uost ravishing music--voices from the seraph
my ear. Ny senses were thrilled.
forgot the caution, looked back, shock as
{ an earthquake stunned and bewildered me-
'he cavern opened under my feet, and, out of l.
Is terrible depth, issued demon of most horrid
nd fearful aspect. With the awful howl of an
tiger he sprang upon me--he dragged
ae to the very verge of bottomless and hideous
avern. It yawned under our very feet. He
,ointed down with his long, bony finger was
lying with fright With demoniac howl he
iezed me with a grasp of iron by the shoulder,
md - ssHeilo, wake up!" shouted j. c.,
vho had just returned, and was grasping me by
he shoulder to awaken me. Twas dream,
n. ft,cr,b ID