The Evening critic., 1883-05-09
FOUR GAYANp FESTIVE YOUTHS,
After Reading Dime Novels, Con-
cIude TO Try Their Luck in the
Mountains of yirginia-HOw the
Gamn WAS SurnrfspN.


Camp Was Surprised.
-Four boys named Henie Gossman, Dem
mis- Pumphrey, Noble Walker and Master
Prosise, all living in the vicinity of Tenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue and be-
tween the ages of 13 and 15 years, have for
months past been imbued with the spirit
of travel and discovery. Gathering in
formation from some of the cheap litera-
ture of the day; they gained the idea of
striking out" for themselves, at least for
time, and see what good results would
follow, and though boys in age, in stature
they would prove themselves men in
venture and accomplishment. As time
progressed the prospecting fever became
strong within them and they made prepa-
rat;ons to go forth and
Penetrate the Businesses of Virginia
and Beyond.
Probably brilliant visions of rich ores and
game braced their hopes and they dreamed
of the times when they would return and
recount their wonderful experiences to the
companions left behind. They saved up
their pennies, purchased their pistols, pro-
cured their tent and camping materials and
kept remarkably silent as to their actions,
for fear of the project being revealed to the
ears of their parents and the plan being up
set By perseverance they succeeded in
getting everything in readiness, and on
Monday last proceeded to 'llght out"
Leaving Their Homes
they reached the meeting place aud then
went to Georgetown. There they hired II
team and headed for cold Virginia" Reach
ing the Chain Bridge they were carried to
the opposite shore and then on through
rough and rocky roads. The further they
went the higher rose their spirits, and no
matter how rough the riding not a murmur
| of complaint fell from their lips, for they
were going to bo men now and ambition
| lowered way above such petty things as
were being met with.
Finally, after four miles had been passed,
and when they were in the highest of some
| of Virginias hills, studded by thick
| growth of wood and brush, they concluded
to make their first halt. The cargo was
unloaded, the driver discharged and the
| selection of site for the first camp begun.
| 1t resulted in selecting
| The Peak of the Highest Rock.
| There the tent was pitched and the explor-
ers gathered themselves in council, congrat-
| ulating themselves on the success of the
start and mapping out the programme OF
| the future. The first was to post guard to
| protect the camp, and each was to take his
turn through the night in standing watch,
but when they believed their arrangements
| all complete,
The Camp Was Surprised
| and called upon to surrender without hav-
| ing the chance to fire shot. After short
| parley the assaulting party struck tent for
them, and brought their trip to an abrupt
ending and the explorers back to the city
disguised and disgruntled at the summary
ending of the expedition. 1t seems that
Mr.. Walker got wind of the travellers and
their intentions soon after they started, and
put his oldest son on the search for them.
In Georgetown he happened to come across
the man who had taken the boys out, he
having just returned, and he told where
they had been left. He was again pressed into
service, and late in the afternoon they came
upon the tented party, happy and ap-
parently contented in being left TO operate
at will. The meeting between the dis
coverer and discovered was quite warm fol
few minutes, but Walker senior showed
more powers of command than Walker
junior and his companions, and made hi
intentions Of taking them back hom,
double strong by
Striking the Tent and Landing IL iI
| the Wagon.
The youthful hunters then suddenly go
in and were brought home. One of then
said that they did not intend to remain ou
more than two weeks and other peopl
ought not to be interfering with their bust
ness Two of them got home before thei
parents knew anything of the escapade.