Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-11
THE SCO3aAERIE CAVERN.

Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR.
GLBERTsvMLE, NY, August 9.
A trip from Washington up the Hudson down
the hills and valleys of this picturesque section.
is of unusual interest. The famous Howes cave,
on the Susquehanna division Of the Delaware l.
Hudson railroad line is easily reached. 1t was
discovered some forty years ago. and is visited
by scientists and sight-seers from all parts of
the world. 1t is snuOus passage, penetrating
to great distance beneath the Scoharie hills in
eccentric labyrinthal wlndings. through spa
ciOus halls, with lofty ceilings and domes, some
of which are succeed and embellished with
beautiful staacttes and increstatiOns bearing
fantastic resembances to familiar forms of the
outer world. and In several places into low and
narrow crevices anon rising above and falling
below the level OF the entrance, then jutting I'D
in steep and rugged ascents sufficiently fearful
aid sublime to excite the courage and awe the
We explored th,. cave to the distance Of four
miles, spent over four hours In it's mysterious
regions OF magnifcence and gloom and gladly
would have spent twenty-fOur more but time
would not permit. We passed through wash
ington Hall, where frequent marriages are SOL
emnized. We GRATED in Congress Hail." and
sang In Musical Hall" the peculiar formations
OF which render the ordinary tones of the voice
clear, musical and sOnOrOus, and when elevated
to high pitch sound like deep-toned thunder
at first, then break and roll along the vast
space forming rich volume Of sound until it
dies away In reverberating echoes among the
lofty arches and columns of the grand anphi-
theater. We assembled and descended the
''ROcky Mountain Indians Stony Ladder Z"
passed through Franklin Avenue" crossed the
beautiful little lake. In some places sixty feet in
depth, and then returned by the same route and
emerged Into open starlight (fOr since we had
left earth's surface sunlight had disappeared)
well satisfied and fatigued with our adventures
and observations.
After leaving ScOharie county we passed
through Delaware to OtsegO county. thence
down the narrow valley of the Susquehanna to
Otsego and Gilbertsville, where we propose to
indulge In a few days Of needed rest among the
green hills. grassy meadows and babbling
brooks of early days.
This country home is situated among the
mountains. which rise one above another until
the clouds rest upon their SUBMITS. 1t is in an
agricultural region, on the west branch Of
famed in song and story by j. Fenimore Cooper
and near the beautiful Otsego lake, where rises
the Susquehanna river. Nature unadOrned in all of
Its varied forms delights the eyes OF those fond
OF rural scenery, and, retired from the noise
and strife Of the busy city, one can enjoy re-
ireshing sleep and be awakened at early morn
Dy the sweet sOngsters Of summer. Such are
the present surroundings of your humble cor
respondent, where, after q long absence-after
many conflicts with ''the world the flesh and
the devif'-he has returned to enjOy once more
sweet converse and fellowship with those whose
friendship for him has never changed: whose
hearts are knit in as strong ties of love to him
Us when existence first began. AK