Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-04-15

places on planks laid where the rocks
were too slippery for safety and con
stantly crossing ton rustic bridges OF
. logs the dancing stream which DASH
es from side to side of the ohasm as
If fretting at its imprisonment. Ma
ture is here seen in her most sublime
aspect, and | can find no words to
express smy feelings as we wandered
between these immense precipices,
the tops of which We're hundreds of
feet above our heads, the little steam
gushing out ut our feet and the water
here and there sprinkling us from
springs in the overhanging rocks -
AT last we REACHED n small platform
of rtck which terminates the walk,
ana glancing up, we started in hor-
ror at seeing suspended over us in the
chasm an immense rock. 1t has fall
en- in and caught between the noun
tans; and though there is really no
danger, it seemed to threaten every
moment, like the sword of Damocles,
to fall and crush us with its weight.
Here, to our regret our walk termi-
mated, for the rest of the ascent was
too steep to admit of ladies trying it.
Some of the gentlemen attempted to
go further, but found it such hard
climbing that they soon returned
We now reluctantly retraced our
steps, as we had long ride before us,
and yet another place to visit on our
way back. AS we rarely have any
qualification without some trouble i'm
obtaining it, so we found that rough
walk, down Il steep and muddy path,
was the only way to the Pool. 1t
was nearly half n mile in length,
but we were at last repaid 10y the sight
of a most lovely little lake, lying so
pure and tranquil between the three
mighty mountains that completely
shut it in, and rise abruptly on every
side, that it truly seemed
"A silver lake shut in by Alpine hills from
the rude world"
A little canoe, the only sign of hui
man life, fiOated on its placid bosom,
and had time allowed we could have
fingered an hour or so, rowing over
its crystal waters (; but q long walk
was before US, and the rest of the par
ty were already waiting. We lad,
the mountain path, and by the time
we reached the wagon, were glad
enough to take our seats and
We're whirled along at II famous pace
over II road good and pleasant, reach
ing the hotel just in time for tea. In
spite Of our faliuge we all adjourned
to the parlOr in the evening for u
dance, and the day closed with "a
pleasant little episode, in which we
all I" saw the elephant" Late in the
evening the parlor doors We're closed
for a few moments, when there sound
ed a tremendous rapping, and the
brass band strikinga a march, in walked
his majesty, the " Elephant of the
Flumb," lead by his master with u
red cord. He passed so near the
guests as he entered that there was
general commotion, and jumping up
to clear the way, reaching the centre
of the room, the keeper Informed us
that he was agenuine White Noun
ain elephant, caught down in the
Flumb under the suspended rock, and
that lie had brought him up-tfis
evening, for or amusement, as his
usual place of exhibition was the
Plumb house. The elephant then
"most wonderfully ol,eying his
master went through the usual varie.
ty of tricks performed 10y circus ele-
plants, aud finally taking his mas
ter's cap in his trunk he carried it
round the admiring circle, without,
as the keeper said, "asking anybody
for cent" The collection was
ample, and making his bow he with
drew amid shouts of laughter from
the company.
You must know that this was no
real elephant but only two of the wait
ers, who, having we'll practiced 1t,
really acted the elephant t. perfec-
ton. They had on large, loose trows-
ers, and II cloth thrown over them,
all closely resembling the skin of an
and the head being perfect
in form, the deception was most com
plete. 1t was altogether one of
the best gotten up tricks / have ever
seen-the men even replying to the
questions of their master 10y the ex-
act growl of the elephant. But the
most surprising part was that the ex-
hibitor could keep his countenance so
well going through all the eXplana-
tions, and even lying down for the
elephant to step over rthem--without
once relaxing II muscle of his face,
tho his costume alone was enough to
keep him in roar, the genuine bur-
lesque Yankee dress-bulf trowsers,
just below the knee, and
long swallow-tailed blue coat. Yet
never once did he smile, tho the
whole company We're conNulsed with
laughter. lie must surely have stud
led under our lnimitable John Owens.
Thus pleasantly ended our first day
and other charming
jaunts tC which, though, another day
and letter must be given.
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