The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-09-09
SOUTHERN GLEANINGS.
" Go-ns-you-plense" Girls in North Caro-
lima.


lima.
The six girls who have been tramping
through North Carolina for about n month
marched into Laurinburg the other morning,
all well and in good spirits, and, though
much sunburned, as comely r set of lady pc
destrians as ever undertook a long tramp.
They determined TO end their journey at that
point, as three of them are school girls, who
have taken this mode OF spending their vaca-
ton. and at the same time gaining health aHd
strength. Since they started they have
walked about 400 miles, and during the long
march have crossed mountains and rivers
and penetrated some of the widest portions
of the State Much of the time they have
slept in the open air, on hammocks swung
from the trees, the hammoc,Ss having canvas
spread over them, in order to protect the fair
occupants from the dew and rain. One night,
seeing heavy storm coming up, the party
had to stop IN grave yard, and there spent
the night, sleeping among the headstones, and
their leader says they suffered more from
fear that nieht than on any other occasion,
although they atterward slept in the noun.
tain Businesses and were startled by the APP
pearance of a bear lurking about their
camp. From the beginning to the end of their
long walk they kept what they called their
"log- book" each member of the party in
| happenings, impressions of scenery and de-
scriptions of the country which they passed
during their tramp. Two of the girls made
sketches of various points of interest along
the route. From first to last they have re-
ceived nothing but kindness along the line OF
their path. Farm houses were thrown opeE
to them by the hospitable owners, and fire.
| quent proffers of vehicles were made, which
were, however, declined, as the pedestrians
decided before starting that they would walk
| every step of the way unless sickness pre-
| vented. They are in excellent condition, and
the only inconvenience they have ever suf-
fered was from blistered feet, but, as they
moved on their feet became hardened The
| most difficult part of their tramp was the as
| cent and exploration of the Bald Mountain,
] whose mysterious rumbling created so
| much excitement some years ago.
| They not only went to the top of
the mountain, but penetrated some o. its
| wild assures, with view of satisfying their
minds whether or not the rumblings were
owing to volcanic action. In going through
| the mountains they were in great apprehen.
sion of rattlesnakes, but their fears were
| groundless, not one of the dreaded reptiles
being seen. The members of the party al.
| lege the only annoyance they had during
| the journey was from certain otiicious par.
| ties of their own sex who undertook to deter
them from their project, and called it an i'm
modest proceeding One old lady became SO
much worked up about it that she insisted
| she would go as chaperone for the party, and
announced her purpose of making her coach
man hitch buggy and drive her along with
them; but when they said they proposed
walking where no buggy could be driven, ant
said they had no objection to her company or
foot, she abandoned the idea In order tC
| to avoid an appearance of immodesty and
shun publicity the girls frequently made long
detours SO as not to enter the villages and
| towns along their route, and as they kept
| their proposed line of march n secret theil
whereabouts were never known, and sc
crowds were avoided. Doubtless had they
gone through the streets of towns they NIGH
have been subjected to jests. but they say thai
at no time on their journey have they beer
spoken to rudely or roughly, save by one o.
two women, who characterized their wander
ing about the country alone as immodest ant
unmaidenly. The girls are young, the eldes
being % and the youngest II. All of the part!
feshened after the first week, except on'
who was inclined to be too robust; she wa
reduced from AS pounds TO 1888. They are al
enthusiastic at the success of their undertake
ing, and announce their determination t.
spend their next vacation In the same way.