The Ottawa free trader., 1881-10-22

/ These wells as they are called are queer forma-
tions and just how deep they are or what freak
( OF nature produced them has never been under.
stood Those who discovered them say that when
first seen they were fathomless, and supposed to
be air holes to some underground world; that
floating matter has been thrown In which was af.
terwards found along the Vermillion or the ILL.
nois. If this is true VINO knows but Chat = cave
more grand and beautiful than the glen itself, ev.
en the Mammoth Cave OF Kentucky, or any Of
those great caves, lies sleeping beneath those
hills! Mr. Standiford, of the lodge" said that
an old settler told him (and surely the word Of
old settler is not to be doubtedD that o very
clent Indian maiden told him that there was a
tradition among her people regarding these
wells: that one day giantess beauty, after per-
ambulation over the Lovers Ramble, strayed
down to this spot on the rocks where 'the boys"
we've having game OF "Old Sledge," and after
foOliDg around for some time she dropped her
heart-whch was Il very heavy one, especial
ly at that moment, as her fellow went broke on
a pair OF queens and falling on the sandstone
rock, which was then very soft, 1t went right
through out Of sight, leaving nothing but its
shape. Another plausible story is given regard.
not give it, but only mention this as coming
from as good authority as an old settler, which
may or may not be taken IA gospel truth.
From the precipice Of the Bridal Veil the view
down the vista is Que OF exquisite beauty. 1t is
here that all the suhlimity and grandeur is seen
to the best advantage. From this standpoint we
peer into lis deep recesses its towering wall ap-
| pear more massive; its caverns and edg3s more
terrible, and its profusiOn Of foliage more charm
ing and beautiful; while above lofty pines grand
old oaks and other growths raise their stately
forms, completing picture the like of which is
rare and seldom met with. Retracing our steps
we climb sort of Il
JACOBS LADDER,
on which we descended to this point, which is |
about thirty feet below Glen Arcadia, or the up.
per glen. As we advance the glen grows more
interesting and at many points really charming.
In some places the rocks rise nearly a hundred
feet in height Bold projecting ledges are here
and there TO be seen, and what would appear to |
be attractive waterfalls and cascades. But its
chief attraction, and that which it is most ad-
mred for, is its protusion of ferns, moses and
great variety of foliage, beautiful beyond con.
ception, all Of which must be seen to be appre.
Iciated.
About midway in the glen high promontory
attracts our notice. This point has n history,
though of local fame. Once upon time-and
not very remote time cither-a most terrific bat
Tie took place here, and ever since it has been
known as
THE BATTLE GROUND OF FERNS.
An eye witness says that they had locked horns
and fought with that desperation known to their
ferocious nature; in the struggle they got too
close to the edge Of the precipice, over which
they went, falling distance Of some nifty feet or
more; but to the great surprise Of the looker.on,
the contestants were uninjured, only in the
adaptation of the phrase more scared than
hurt" As soon as they discovered "what struck
them" they raised their banners and without any
more ado made clear case Of Bull Run of it.
THE JUNCTION,
or where the glen forms into three separate di-
visions, Is finally reached. Here we pause for a
few brief moments to take in the situation and
contemplate the journey which so far has been |
kaleidoscope in its changes. nere, indeed, is |
Eiysium, where one could sit and dream sweet
life away in joy, in peace and in happiness, were
it not for the Internal mosquitoes don't know
that have the right to question the wisdom OF
the Almighty or ask why he made this, that or
ANYTHING else-all were created for some pur- |
pose no doubt-but in the name Of all that is |
wonderful, for what purpose did He create these
musical, blood-sucking devils, and especially |
sach 'whoppers" ~ infest this part Of the glen
Men cry out for "a lodge in some vast wilderness
away from the madd'ning crowds'-of mosquitoes,
of course; but if they had my experience there
to-day they would exclam for a seat on Green
land icy mountans-anywbe bere away from those
blood thirsty brutes.
At this point the rocks rise more lofty than at
any other point in Glen Arcadia. There are rug
gcd and messy ledges to be seen but entirely de-
void of anything in the way of formations. Yet
there are attractions which in themselves are
striking and cause those who understand their
'layn much surprise. The junction of the three
glens and the peculiar way IN which they come
together are in themselves queer freaks of ma
turc To the right, before leaving Glen Arcadia,
ls a charming little spot which We christened
THE FERSERY,
there being such display Of those ever pleasing
plants as well as mosses and other foliage. TAX
lng that branch to the right, and to which we
gave the name of
MYSTIC GLEN,
from the fact that it has mysterious air about
1t and an unknown endng,o furthest point
OF exploration was TO
STAIRWAY FALLS,
composed of great number of ledges and rock
projections which resemble a stairway, over
which water leaps from rock to rock in dainty
undulations. Above the falls the rock bed is as
level as floor for considerable distance, while
both its sides are sight that might be pleasing
10 the fairies at least picture far more beautiful
than the most sanguine visitor would expect to
find in this particular spot Far as the eyes
could penetrate great inches and rocky ledges
are 10 seen, densely covered with luxurious
Growth of foliage unequalled in any other part