Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-07
Mammoth Cave, Etc.

EpIroRs LEDGER: Homeward bound
after three months of rustication among
Northern hills, we travelled from New
York to Jetfersonville without change OF
cars. Thence crossing the Ohio in omni-
buses, which were driven upon the deck
of small steamer, with the glowing fur'
mace of the engine on our right, on our
left another "buss" is tightly parked
with suffering humanity as was our own,
and above us the fierce beams ofa merid-
ian sun, we looked with anxious gaze
upon the nearly completed bridge and
thought of the not distant day when our
palace cars might be retained until reach
ing home.
Arriving at the Gait House at noon,
we soon found rest and refreshment in
that most splendid, spacious and com
Portable hotel; and at FIVE o'clock p. m
again took up our journey Southwark.
Riding through kentucky, and talking OF
its natural advantages, ito pitre and its
caves, "Why not stop over over Gay or
two AT the Mammoth Cave p said one of
our party.
Pros many unanswered by cons, de-
cided the question, and by nine o'clock
we were ali safely and comfortably estsb-
Iished in Gave City Hotel. After nights 8
rest. a FIVE o'clock breakfast reunited us
and we started, gay party OF four, for
the ten miles ride to The cave. The
rocky uphill road seemed neither long
no rough, thanks 70 good cigars and good
company, -. i,
The Cave Hotel ia Q rambling old
wooden stru ucture, With numeroas wings,
mostly one story in hight, and With its
wide porches and shady groves ls cool
and pleasant enough, but, though Ia its
schedule of charges it is equal 10 the
Gait House, we cannot say as much for
the Accommodations.
At nine o clock bsriy of twenty-three,
eight cf whom were ladies, ware ready
for the cave 1t was a picturesque gresp.
The ladies', ia their short scarlet dresses
and bloomer trousers, with lamp and
staff in hand, were simply bsvitching
The susceptible heart of your humble
servant capitulated at once TO the ire
sistible charms Of a young school girl
from Athens, Ga, whose fresh rosy face
and roguish smiles ct oaoe drew him to
her side. ~,
FORWARD, march r. said Bill, our sable
guide, and mp the narrow foot-path,
through the first corridor we marched,
single file, carefully lighting every step:
First saltpetrs vat of 1872, shouted
Bill; and while we passed into the dilap-
Idated enclosures and examined the veil.
preserved water-pipes, he gave the we'll
known history Of these works. Leaving
the several watts which are scattered at
intervals in this passage, we drank some
pure cold wafer from Richardson's
spring, and passed on.
Careful on the right; the Bottomless
Pill" said Bill; and standing on rick
ETY. bridge, with only hsnd-rail between
us and destruction, we peered down into
the upfathonabls depths revealed by the
light Of burning oiled paper thrown down
by the guide. Shuddering, We hsstened
on.
Buchauan's Way" gave US all erick
in the neck by the sidewise leaning en-
forced By the shelving roof The Fat
Mans Misery" with its narrow, sinuous
coarse, must indeed have deferred q
" man Of Weight" from further explora-
tons, however stout his heart. Squeezing
through the passage. with much merri-
ment we passed our course through the