The Osceola times., 1882-07-29


and profusely decorated with stalac-
titic and stalagnitie ornamontation
than Luray.' a goodly volume
would be required TO contain any
thing approaching a detailed descrip-
ton of these caverns, and any de
scription even though accompanied
by illustrations, would put one IN
possession of but faint idea Of The
glories Of these curious, beautiful and
imposing buried wonders Down in
the bowels of the earth lie a littl"
world of stalactites and stalagmites,
thrown by capiicious nature in ten
thousand forms, and aping grotcs-
qucly all things Of the earth, air and
water; the whole brilliantly illumi-
mated by electric lights.
Returning to the surface we were
surprised to find that we had spent
more than three hours exploring
these subtcrancan vaults, and had
Just time enough to reach the depot
before train time. While here we
met former resident of Osceola, DIR.
j. II. Harrison, who is now practicing
Medicine at this place.
Our rout now lay through the most
beautiful portion of the world re-
noyned Shenandoah Valley. OF its
fertility-its picturesque lovcliness
we had heard much, but we had
no adequate conception of its agri-
cultural resources till we passed thro'
it. Along our line of travel lay many
charming towns and villages, some
of them with interesting war records.
Our want of space forbids rs men-
tioning but few. At Charlestown,
West Va. we saw the Court house
where John Brown was iricd and sen
fenced, and near by in field in view
of the cars is the spot where he was
executed to atone for his crimes COM
mittcd at Harpers Ferry--ten miles
away. AT Shepherdstown we cross
ed the Potomac where remarkably
artistic and superb river view is oh
tanned. But aside from the beauty
of the scenery we passed in sight OF
the sold Pack-Ilorse ford where a
number of our most celebrated Cen
erals, with their armies have crossed
and rccrossed, as the changing for
tunes of war made it necessary. The
next object of special interest to ev-
cry southern soldier, was the battle
ground Of Antietam; traces of this
terrible conflict, where our nations
blood flowed like water, is still to be
discerned in the bullet marks on the
fencing and trees.
Ilagcrstown is soon announced
which is the terminus of the Shcnan,
doah Valley i. r. it is a flourish
ing town Of 5000 inhabitants, ant
dates back to colonial days. From
this point on to Baltimore we are tn,
guests of the Western Maryland Il
r., and right royalty are we enter
tanned. Arriving at Mar, sta
ton on the line between Pennsylya
mia and Maryland, we found splendi,
mountain coaches awaiting to conye,
our party to High Rock, an obscrya
tory on a precipitous cliff ofthe Blu
Ridge Mountains, where a splcndi,
view of the rich and beautiful cum
berland Valley was unloldcd belo,
us, presenting what is pronounce,
to be one Of the finest and artistical
~ complete landscapes in the know
world. We stood in mute admira
ton, and with rivoted gaze dranl
deep draughts of living beauty. Por
tions Of four states are within tn
compass of vision and several town
of importance, such as Hagerstown
Waynesboro and Gettysburgh, an,
we were told that ON clear days Lu
ray, one hundred miles distant, coul,
plainly be seen. All! how a glymps
of Gettysburg recalled that scene Q
terrible carnage which virtually clos
ed the four years of internicine strife
Returning down the mountain over
beautifully graded road, we 500
reached the pavilion, where Zcigler'
Band discoursed some delightful NV
sic, to which some Of the younge
members of our party stripped tn
light fantastic" Very soon after
ward we were conducted to anothe
pavilion, whore a sumptuous ban
quet was spread, and every delicac,
and luxury that could tempt the ap
petite or cheer the inner man wa
distributed in the greatest profusion
and while gentle zophyrs waited il
the sweet perfume of the mountain
laurel, a splendid string band charm
ed the senses with some of the mos
exquisite music TO which we had eve
listened; all combining TO make al
Arkansaw swamp editor imagin,
that he had been translated to som,
celestial sphere. But then, when h,
remembered that this was the drst
and by the way, the only, free enter
tainment the gang had received, il
4
may ACCOUNT for his beatifc frame o
mind-lt was his natural element
Many happy speeches We're made
and many toasts drank in the COO
clear sparkling beverage ofArkansas
After which our party wcnded theil
way to the Depot to await the train,