Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-06-16
RETURN OF THE CADETS.

o'clock on Saturday night, but much
difficulty was experienced in landing, as
the awning served as sail, and the
brisk wind prevailing blew the boat
down the basin. 1t was not until ten
o'clock that they were able to disembark,
but when they did they made the streets
lively for awhile by their joyful shouts
as they marched through them, until
nearly eleven.
They speak of their trip as a very ell
ioyable one, though their pleasure was
somewhat married by the almost contln-
ued rain, which though did not pene-
trate the awning, beat under it little
and confined them to the boat
when they would have preferred the
open air. They left the basin at S-35
on Monday and reached Georgetown at
1915; hare the boat stopped halt an
hour, and while some went down into
the city, party visited the college,
where the principal. meeting with Faith
er Curley, the venerable director OF the
observatory, they were cordially invited
to inspect the library, museum, DC, an
invitation of which they availed them
selves as far as time allowed, after a
view of the buildings and play grounds;
The boys were greatly pleased with all
they saw there.
Shortly after leaving Georgetown an
old woman, either crazy or drunk, ap-
peared on the tow path and began to
curse and beat the driver and his team,
ending by the invocation OF bad luck on
the excursion; had the boys gotten hold
of her when the rains came on, she
would have been apt to have met the
fate of the Salem witches. Travelling
rapidly, for a canal boat, the Great Falls
of the Potomac were reached just before
FIVE o'clock, and clambering over the
rocks the boys enjoyed to their ill, the
sublime scene which there presented 1t,
SELF The mighty rocks scanned and
SCARED by the still migttier floods, the
rushing torrents broke into foam and
sending high into the still air their
clouds of mist, impressed upon their
young minds the ompipotence OF Him,
who, alone, can stay those floods,
.'Or bid their roaring cease.
Turning from the works of nature to
those of art, they also examined the he
ginging of the aqueduct by which wa,
ter is conveyed TO Washington, and
which workrnen. were engaged in clean
ing, and soon after night tall, they were
all, except the guard, locked in the soft
embrace of sleep.
At a. H., the boat was again IN mo-
ton, and after a short stoppage or two.
arrived, towards night, at the Point OF
Rocks, where the cadets were urgently
solicited to pass the night, as storm
was coming OH, but declining the invita-
ton they reached Berlin soon after
dark, and tied up for the night.
At aybreak start was made and
Harpers Ferry was reached at SIX
o'clock. Here short stay was made
to enable those who wished to visit that
quaint old town and see Jetfersons
Rock, the scene of John Browns des-
perate fight, &c, &c. Dinner was Ia
ken at u, at Antietam furnace, and at
one, the boat decorated with flags, stop
ped opposite Shepherdstown, an effort to
get her across the river being unsnccess-
full, owing to some fault III the river
lock. Many of the boys visited Shep-
herdstown that evening and night, not
withstanding the heavy shower which
occurred at intervals, and the ram con.
tinuins all night, it was determined, If
it did not cease, to leave for heme at 10
a. M, on Thursday. BY that time how
ever, it showed signs Of clearing up, and
several games of base ball were ar
ranged for the afternoon; no full one,
however, being played, as there was not
time before the intended parade. The
first nine of the cadet club was beaten
five to one; the second was victorious,
seven to none.
AT pm, having cleansed up their
guns, which the rain had greatly rust
cd, the cadets marched over to the town,
with drums beating and colors flying,
and, after parading the principal street
drilled in the grounds of the Shepherd
College, before the young ladies and
crowd of spectators, returning to the
boat to supper AT night, very pleas
ant time was passed with the young la
dies, to many of whom introductions
were obtained. Boquets were in pro-
fusion, every cadet mad one.or more.
Tattoo was not beaten until eleven
o'clock, and before any had risen, the
boat was far down towards Harpers
Ferry, where a stop was made for break
fast, and to lay in additional supplies.
Dinner was eaten at the big spring be-
low the Point of Rocks, and supper at
a shady place above Edwards Ferry,
where the stop for the night. was made.
At 5 a. M, on Saturday the journey
was resumed and continued steadily till
Cabin John Bridge was reached at p.
m. Here rest OF two hours was Ia
ken, the grand structure being visited
and examined, and a good bath taken,
and at 7, the boat passed through the
aaueduct at Georgetown, the drums and
the shouting of the boys startling the
denizens of that old burg, and its neigh
Dor, Rosyln, as old Virginia was once
more reached.
Though the rain interfered considera-
bly with the success of the trip, it was,
on the whole, very satisfactory one,
no accidents worthy the name occur
ring. Many of the boys were SO well
pleased that they expressed wish to
90 again to day if possible. They en-