Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-06-30

entered through an opening about six feet
in hight, and forming at the entrance
room of solid rock twenty feet long by
eight to ten feet wide. The air in this
cave is intensely cold, and in the warm
est days of July and August the temper
ature is cool enough to thoroughly chill
the body in few moments. Strange
traditions are current among the ma
tive" in regard to this mysterious and
singular cavern. Among others may be
cited one in regard to a branch of the
Chickasaw tribe of Indians. Resting
quietly this morning under the over
hanging boughs and winding vines of
this peaceful valley it seems strange
that few years gone these rugged hills
resounded to the shrill voice of warrior
chieftains. aud caught up in their echoes
the hute-like voice Of dusky maidens as
they warbled love ditties to the ripping
waters and the wild, sweet flowers 1t
is here that the gentle Talula, daughter
of cruel and vindictive chieftain, in
Cured the mortal displeasure of her
father in bestowing her affections on
rival crave, and this cave became the
living grave of the innocent victim OF
DdTbULdl ENeT
the tribes who visited the spot heard the
soft voice of the spirit maiden singing
in the breath Of the winds that came
floating up from the mysterious deep,
and the grave of Talula" became a
hallowed shrine to these children Of ma
ture, where the rugged brave and the
gentle maid each knelt in mute, but
none the less earnest, devotion. Even
now the glad song birds that fit and
warble along the green margin, and the
glancing fish that play by thousands in
the rippling waters, seem TO US like
angel messengers sent back from the
spirit land of the "lost Talula" to
bring US tokens of unseen charms and
chain our hearts to loved and beauti-
full memory.
Hail to thee, bright, glowing, green
tinted, wide winding, flower decked,
dreamy vale OF Bon Aqual Dame Ma
ture has blessed thee with rich profu
sion of right royal gifts, taken from the
inner casket of her rarest jewels. Just
yonder she has reared the ''rock-ribbed"
hill that carries its proud head far up to.
ward the blue Of the distant heaven, and
peak after peak of mingled green hazel
brown form belt of picturesque and
massive beauty around the sleeping val
ley with its tangled labarynth of varie-
gated flowers. What wonder that words
Of admiration are wrung from the sterile
stoicism of hearts unused to romance
and pens undrilled in measured Rude
relics OF an almost forgotten and an all
unwritten past are here, and we listen
to line after line of weird traditions of
dead people, around whose romantic
lives there will always cling wild and
fascinating interest. We imagine that
the classical mind and lightly flowing
pen of genius like DuPre would find
here new fields to explore, new worlds to
conquer in the vast area of antique lore.
lie would find that some of his Mound
Builders had gravitated this way at
some period of the past, and the versa
tility and extensive resources of his tai
ents, coupled with the inspiration of
matchless scenery, would no doubt read
lily combine to create a pen-picture of
rare and lasting literary worth.
AS if to crown all her gifts with
something still more attractive the god
ess of nature has located springs of rare
medicinal qualities in this secluded nook
that are pronounced by chemical ex-
perts to be a sovereign panacea for a
large number of the ills to which our
flesh is heir Artistic taste has dotted
the hillsides with cosy cottages, and the
visitor is surrounded with home com
forts as we'll as the best gifts of well
ordered cuisine. We have a gay and
merry little company-not exceeding
fifty as yet, but a regularly well or
ganized family circle " where all are at
ease-all happy, and always room for
few more. No circle of the kind is ever
complete without a Kate, and our
good genius has sent us one who is
combination of all the romping fun
all the charming vivacity, life and beauty
of ali the Kates you ever knew, and our
circle will be sadly broken when we lose
this charming Memphis lassie. l am
not a sour old bach-I think all our
ladies fit representatives of the highest
and purest of their sex, but these Hates
do make us talk out in meetin'" in
spite of ourselves.
At the bier of your dead patience our
time expires and we must bid you adieu,
with our compliments to the LEDGER.