New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-09-10
From New York.
y Visit IN Panama Rocks.

morning was bright, our horses fresh and
animated, and nothing marrcd the prospects
of full realization Of our brightest anticipa-
tons. Our course lay through the country;
therefore, we were required to put no restraint
ON our demonstrations of merrment, so as
we laughed the birds laughed, and the very
cattle seemed to laugh as they frOlicked in
the sunshine and plucked the sparkling blades
Of dewy grass: and the sturdy farmer, as he
stalked into the field, looking first at the
blue, unclouded sky, then at the wide
spreading meadows Of rich ripe grain, 'laush.
cd lcudcSt of ALL"
Vt the windows Of every farmhouse we
passed appeared wild, wondering faces; often
one would disappear and two reappear; BOYS
lett their milking stools men their morninc
dulles, and %azed with such untirInn wonder
HAT we concluded we must be quite an i'm
r"itaht crew, and proceeded, feeling decid-
eddy satisfied with ourselves. We had not
gone FIR when our horses began TO express
symptoms of fright, prancing and snorting
quite alaimin"ly. Unable to discover any
cause Tor such uncommon behavior, one of
q.
thing i'll the cloud of dust we saw approach
Ing which had displeased them. DRAWING
near, We found, to our great amazemept the
cause ni their disturbance was n little IRON
gray donkey. 1t possessed very saucy face
and most remarkable proportion of ears.
behind which vas family visible the outline
al a boy, cut of respect to whom we felt il
but proper to suppress all demonstrations
but when we saw the face of said bow. radi-
ant with full realization of his comical
situation, we broke forth with one outburst
of laughter, in which the boy Joined most
heartily. Totally disregar,ling our repeated
ordinations, the little animal conducted
itself with commendable dignity, and was
soon again envcloped in a cloud Of dust. los,
10 our gaze forever.
We passed through little place on the
Atlantic and Great Western railroad called
Grant Station. 1t consists of a few soualid
dwellings, two churches. and a grocery and
blacksmth's shop. Although the dwellings
are surrounded by wild forests and marshes.
the male portion of the place seem TO have
nothing whatever to do. Many of them
loitered around The corner grocery as if STA
toned there for the express purpose of giving
information TO any stray traveller who might
be unfortunate c..org, To rimti himself in
their midst as TO direction, &c. AS we re-
CURED no information, we passed them unno-
ticcd, leaving them staring at us as if aston
ished to find us 50 well informed After we
had noted the railroad crossing, lookout for
the cars, " We were again on our undisturbed
way.
We reached our place of destination about
noon, and the very first rock we saw (prac-
teal mappreciativc people that we werel
was converted into a dining table, literally
ladening. it with ham, fried chicken, sand
witch, and other similar deicacies. Who has
not eaten fried chicken after long ride in
the open air: Those who have not, have
an experience in store for them. the antic-
patton Of which should gladden. their very
hearts. Those who have, can no doubt APP
prcciate the dcXterty with which we strewed
that barren rock with meatlcss bones. The
next thing was water, and after searching
a while we were highly rewarded. We dis
below which, in modest silence, stood COW.
We accostcd her politely and informed her
of our intention of drinking, provided she had
no objection. Like Rip Van Wrinkle in the
mountains, we received no answer save a
few expressive mods, which we considered
sufficient, and, consequently, drank; after
which the COW drank we then proposed her
health, hoping she might live long and pros
rer-a toast she evidently appreciated, as we
left her still drinking and switching her tail
IN most approving manner. We were soon
equipped for our exploring expedition.
Panama Rocks are one of those freaks in
nature caused by earthquake; they extend
about three miles, following the course of
stream called "Brokenstraw," tributary
of the Allegheny river. The lodges of the
rocks are covered with an abundant vegeta-
ton. Sturdy specimens of beech, maple, and
elm appear in great numbers, while delicate
vines with their slender tendris clnging to
the massive rocks show 4 beautiful illustra-
ton of powerful steadfastness and clingng
dependence in nature. The rocks are cleft
and shattered in every conceivable manner,
sometimes forming narrow assures from sixty
TO eighty feet deep, sometimes cayerns of
extensive dimensions. In many places they
present themselves in smooth, regular strata,
in others are thrown and heaped together in
shapeless masses. Although the day was
exceedingly warm, as we descended, follow
ing the eccentric winding courses of the fis-
sures, we found water-proois and over-coats
Indispensable. Many of these assures led
us to dark cavern which sent out damp,
heavy atmosphere quite repulsive to delicate
natures, but wierdly attractive to those fond
Of adventure and exploration. One OF these
caverns particularly attracted me ; its opening
was Just large enough to admit ole in a
STOPPING posture, but the atmosphere which
issued from IT showed there must be an eX-
tensive space beyond. As l approached 1t
my breath froze as on a winter day. Planks
were arranged as securely as possible for the
benefit of those desiring to enter. The
nearer ] approached it the stronger became
al almost irresistible desire to penetrate the
mysterious, silent, abode but was in the
midst of near relatives and friends whose
interest in the welfare Of my being became