Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-07-15


cave 10 few minuts and entering IT, we're
agreably surprised. It's size greatly exceeded
our expectation, and 80 v stopped near its cen-
ter to look round US, we mis- ht we'll fancy our
selves beyond the boundaries OF time, and wait
ing Tor the tabled boatmon n convey us across
the river to the bright shores beyond our NOR
tai sight. The lamps glmmering in the dim
distance, dark figures moving silently backward,
and forward, like the spirits OF the departed
preparing for their final Journey, the low mur.
mur OF the water. with now and then a bright
CLEAN reflected from the selling, all conveyed an
impression Of unrealness and mystery, and we
needed the practical suggestion Of a gentleman
Of the party, that our time was limited to awak
en- us IN the necessity Of quickeHng our steps
II we would explore its whole extent. A guide
took charge Of us and having shaken OF our
feelings Of awe we went onward bv the liQht of
his lantern to the further end Of the cave, where
the mysterious river flows steadily on, with no
words TO tell MS Of its strange source and strang
er ending. We drank from its ice cold waters,
and stood for a moment questioning the guide as
to its depth when we were favored with vision
of such strange and wonderful beauty as Is sell
dom vouchsafed to the dwellers Of this earth.
No description can do Il Justice. We could
hardly had words with which TO speak Of II to
each other after II had passed away. But the
remcmberance Of what we saw in the Island
cave, will never leave us. Whether il was the
effect Of the light upon the water, or wether 1t
mosphere and water acting upon each other, we
could not determine; but suddenly strange and
lovely Of the most vivid and beautiful c lnrs
appeared floating in the water, and as we
watched them with breathlcs deligh, they grad
ually rose and AOted with a slow, soft NOV vcmcnt
through the air above the water. lingering for
moment. as II loath to leave their native element
and at last disappedredin the distance. Our eyes
followed them as long as they were visible and
then turned to look again at the water where
other forms Of still more graceful loveliness
were continually appearing and passing away.
How long this scene lasted, we could not tell for
none Of US vera capable Of taking note of time.
AS the last shape disappeared,we were recalled
To sense of our existence, by an ejaculation
from the guide. To our eager question he re-
piled that he had never seen or heard Of such n
thing before. Will any one explain fer ms the
phenomenon We're these lovely forms spirits
Of the air who had been imprisoned by the
streamf Or were they spirits Of the water,
doomed for some fault, 10 wonder in the upper
air, and lose their beauty egdgrace, and mingle
with the common forms Of vapar, and suffer the
detlemen.s of earth for a season2 Some time
was lost in these speculations, when our practi-
cal friend came to our help,with the remark that
OF one thing we might be certain, that our time
was passing, and we reluctantly turned our
steps thitherward. No mishaps befel us though
one ofthe ladies' took fright lest one Of the posts
which supported the rocky ceiling might give
way hnu 8uHer tue FOckS 10 ihli up'n us.
Ou reaching the open air little anxiety was
expressed by the ladies', lest the boat had whis-
tied while we were in the cave, ond consequent
| ly had not been heard. But little party coming
up just at that Ii ne assured us to the contrary,
and we had accomplished nearly half the dis
tance between the cave and the hotel when we
| heard the whistle, which made US quicken our
step, but one Of the gentlemen assured US we
need not hurry as the Captain had told him that
" If within hearing distance of the first whistle
we could reach the boat easily before the second.
| Still To make assurance dUubly sure" one Of the
gentlemen hurried on to hold the boat" for us
| IL necessary. When about opposite the hotel
we heard the other whistle. What could it
mean? Where was the half hour the Captain
had promised there should be between the whis-
ties y There had not been ten minutes, scarcely
| five. On consulting the watches it was found to
be about twelve minutes past two; on looking
| towards the grove numbers Of people were eeen
| running towards the dock, when we also ran,
and were within three or four yards Of the wa
| ter's edge when saw the boat tedre the dock.
There were perhaps dozen people between us
and the boat, all too late.
One wowan, Of great courage, sprang from
| the dock, caught hold of the boat and drew her
self on. Our gentlemaaly (?) Captain could not
wait for her or the dozen others who stood on the
dock close TO the landing, or the numbers Of peo-
pie, perhaps fifty, running down the hill too late
tO get on the boat to go to Toledo, but too late
to noraliJe on the difference of time given to get
on the boat at Toledo aud at Putin Bay Island
and they all seemed TO arrive at the conclusion
which was, that gentleman (f) had received all
| the money aud now he did not care so much
| alb put every one getting on board. he needed
not the requests of friends TO wait moment un-
I'll parties who were hurrying to the boat might
| get on board.
And now the question arose as TO how we were
tog get home. The Ecening Star was lying at the
wharf for her passengers to 60 to Sandusky
| ave can go TO Sandusky on her and by rail "a
Toledo and get home tonight yet," said one Of
| the gentlemen, land, for myself nothing wculd
| suit me better as have business there, and tha
| will be combining business with pleasure" A:
he spoke group Of ladies and gentlemen came
up with us, who were the sisters and friends ol
| two others of the party, and with much Laughter
| and many jSkes we got on board the EccnUiy SdI
just as the Jay Cook had got turned round aud
headed for the lake.
For ourselves we did not regret being len ir
the least, but there were a great many who did
Four children in particular, whose friends had
got on board and they had been pushed asid,
and so got left, and with but little money ex citeC
our compassion and when the little girls them
selves in a parOxysm of weeping one cOulC
scarcely keep from calling the Captain wretch
One OF the gentlemen from our party came Il
their assistance and promised to take them Il
Toledo. This dried their tears and they wer
soon enjoying their ride 10 Sandusl,y.
In the midst Of our gayety, an occasiOna
thought of the lady who did not go to the cav
with us, and consequently did not get left wit
us, would in.rude, but surely, with the gentle
manly Captain and the gentlemen from Toled
she will get to the Cora Lock in safety and the
Of course she will get home alI right, for We al
know Captain Lack.
/, The ride to Sandusky was delightful. W
passed JolIuson's Island, made memorable as be
ing the prison Of confederate officers during til
, late war. Sandusky is beautiful city ana pre-
i, sents lovely view from the water.
ri Fortune favored us as we met several ac1uain
r ances which occupied our time while the gentle
men transacted their business and after a sum-
tunus repast at the West House, we turned Ou
stsps toward the depo, and were soon on OF
= way to Toledo, which we reached in time to 5,
e cure seats in the train bound up the river, an
s half an hour or so after reached our homes
y safety, somewhat wearied To be sure, but v
= were compelled to say that seldom il ever ha
We passed day Of more pleasant aud waited Ell
joyment.
Ills no more than right we should say Il
baskets aud shawls were received all right Il
next day, but not so the lemons and oranges lie
!, in the baskets. The Captain obtained them fro
the porter at the request of the gentlemen friend
d and when we asked the gentlemen what had b
come Of the fruit, they said at first that tht
o "knew nothing Of them," aud then "the port
= had taken them" 1t is an old saying th
r "murder will out" and time may solve th
e mystsry.
, To all who contemplate visit to the islam
d we would say by all means 60 TO the cave, eV'
:, If by so doing you are compelled 10 make Il
: round trip. TRAVELLER.
NEW AnUERTTSEM