Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-07-19

pathway has already been opened for
visitors the distance Of Il mile. 1t is
shady nearly all day. The music of the
running waters never ceases There is a
Whispering WELL" or more properly a
roaring spring, the water from which is
very cool, and itComes down into a cave
like basin with a roar which may be
heard at a considerable distance. This
cave has been explored about one hun
dred feet, there is, two, on the creek q
cave of very respectable dimensions,
formed as to the mouth ut least, by Il
great curved flssure in the limestone
wall. Its atmosphere is almost icy cold.
There has been, as far as ! know, no
thorough exploration of its extent. Who
knows that nature has not provided here
another wonder to extend the fame of
this property? Farther on are the falls
or cascades of Cedar Creek, soon, |
trust, to be well known to the world
through the sketches of the Chicago ar
fists who are now here, with an almost
eXhaustless field before them, and which
they cultivate with a zeal neither burn
ing suns nor rocky paths can subdue.
What | regard as quite u curiosity is
an drbor gitG (lat CEDAR tree fourteen
feet in circumference nearly five feet in
diameter! There are cedars Of many
varieties and all sizes about here, but
this seems to be king. Between the ho-
tel and the mills, on the roadside, is n
sassafras tree more than three feet in
diameter.
This must have been a finely-timbered
country, Judging from the original
growth remaining. The aXeman has
done something to mar the lCyeliness Of
the hillsides, but enough yet femains,
particularly along Cedar Creek, to make,
rs the company intend, one of the finest
parks in the land. Fitted up according
to projected plans, the Natural Bridge
will make q summer resort in every re-
spect worthy of public patronage
Thousands Of people going to the White
Sulphur and the other springs by the
Allegheny railroad will stop here going
or coming, and others will come to spend
the whole sumner.
Nearly every American boy has read
some account of Piper's grand but fool
hardy feat in climbing mp the rocky wall
from the stream to the top Of the bridge.
Nearly every visitor asks to have the
course Of his ascent pointed out. How
in climbing to such dizzy height, upon
such slight foot-holds, he was able to
maintain balance in head and body, Is
not easy to understand. An old gentle
man whom | met here told me that he
knew Mr.. Piper when the latter was
somewhat advanced in age, and that Mr..
Piper would not talk about it, being, as
my informant said, ashamed of the feat,
which all the same will keep his name
travelling down the corridors Of time as
long as tourists come to the Bridge.
One of the best "sclls" Of the age was
gotten up about the Bridge II was the
production Of Il student, and published
in college paper at Lexington, and rep
resented the destruction of the Bridge
by fire, induced by certain chemical ac-
ton. There were scientific terms Of
"thundering sound" alleged eXplana-
lions by learned professors, and all The
paraphernalia of Il true story. The job
was so well done that many people were
deceived, and well-known Nirginan,
whose post-predictions were notorious,
said, upon reading It, reproduced in a
daily paper: CD it; told you So"
The initials Of hundreds of persons are
cut into the walls Of the Bridge. sc.
W." said to have been the production Of
the Father of his Country, is very inds-
tinct. There are others high above It.
Living in n section Of country where
tcrraplns are to be found any day with
&C. W." marked on their backs, and
knowing that Wasllington's body SER
want dies every year, have some slight
mlsgivings about the authenticity of
these initials. A lady from Chicago--a
member of the art school-paintcd her
initials and those of gentleman upon
the wall some thirty feet above the
stream few days ago-a feat, suppose,
heretofore unequalled by one of her gem
Tie sex, though the story Of q young la
dy polsing herself upon stump which
stood upon one of the Outcrmost ledgcs
of the bridge top is well authenticated.
When the present company acquired
possession the hotel accommodation
were in u desperate condition, The
building Is u poor one at best, and not
properly located. By next season there
will be large one on n better site,
where Il will receive the breezes, come
from what direction they may, and from
which imposing views may be had. But
for the present the old hotel has been
remodclled and added to, and the rooms
provided with very comfortable furni-
lure. Charlie Euker, formerly of Rich
mond, Is the hotel manager, and spreads
n table OF exceptional excellence. No
one who wishes TO see the Bridge need
hesitate about coming now; but next
season visitors will come not TO stay days
but weeks. CHESTER.