Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-08-18

MAC WITH A PLEASURE PARTY
SCENES EN- ROUTE - JENKIN s
CAvE-PoINTs OF INTEREST AND
AMUSEMENT.
1t was our great pleasure, on
Thursday week, to be one of a
number of ladies and gentlemen, who
through the kindness and activity
of Misses Mamie, Annie and Rosa
Cunningham, and Mrs. Boyles, of
John street, made one of the most
pleasant parties that as yet has pic
niced at Potomac Isle. Each and
all Of the invited guests were anx-
ious to attend and so, on the said
morning they were all duly on hand
at the G. v. Depot. At S.45 the
especial car" moved out slowly from
Martinsburg and took its course
along the many beautiful fields and
other points of interest SO numerous
along that road. Wild flowers clus-
tered in every nourishing place, and
nodded gayly as the train swept by !;
birds sang their sweet carols and
twittered joyously to each other; and
the far stretching landscape, In all
its original beauty and picturesque
ness, lay like great map before us.
Fast sped the train, with the long
mazes of twining smoke floating be-
hind, and the pleasant morning air
bathing the brows of the merry pic
nicers. Soon Falling Waters was
reached and the river met the long
ing eyes of all the party and there,
ON the calm water, floated the newly
painted Lizzie May and her equal
ly bright attendants. The party left
the cars and descending from the
railway to the banks below, by way
of the recently erected stairways,
were presently seated awaiting the
starting of the boat. With loud
and spirited pant Lizzie May" at
| last headed down tie river. The tow
ropes were tossed into position,
everything made SNUG and then
commenced the grand trip down the
Potomac The river is very calm
the entire way from Falling Waters
to the Isle, and the ride is,therefore,
an easy and comfortable one. To
one land such were WEI who never
before has made the trip everything
is interesting and novel. A few Of
the old monarchs of the forest, that
once tossed in al their might. and
power have fallen at last-succumb.
ed to the war of clements" and
lay, stripped Of AL their glory, with
their naked limbs dipping and float
ing in the sparkling water. On the
south side of the river, perhaps five
miles from Falling Waters, is very
peculiar tree. Standing on slight
eminence, its almost white body and
limbs kissed by every beam Of the
sun, and almost alone, it attracted
our attention. AS we gaZed at it,
dark plumaged bird slowly came
from the east and settled on its bare
body another and another did like
wise, until it finally resembled a big
'chicken roost." 1t recalled the old
song of the "three crows sitting on
limb" We named it the Crows
Rest y Here and there the denizens
of the deep-skill-p ots-showed their
far stretched necks over old logs and
watched the course Of the invaders
of their quiet home. But the boat
onward took its way, and in due
time disclosed to our watchiul eyes,
behold, was the beautiful Potomac
Isle Slowly the steamer approach
ed her mooring. A slight shock-a
quiver-and we were at rest
Potomac Isle is certainly grand
and exceedingly pretty spot-with
its sandy surface Notwithstanding.
Tall trees are plenteous, affording a
splendid shade from the SUMS warm
rays. The Isle contains about two
acres of ground and is somewhat
narrow. On the south sweeps the
main river, with distance across to
the opposite cliffs of about 145 feet;
on the north, nearest the island, a
small stream of water from the main