The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-13
Tour of the Cycling Ramblers.
CHAPTER ".
Reported for the Democratic Advocated

Reported for the Democratic Advocated
Having eoasted down steep hill, the tourists dis
mounted in front of the Forest Inn. Here on a
slightly depressed plateau 500 feet above sea level
are the Natural Bridge hotels. Appledore Pavilion
Bachelors Lodge and Forest Inn. Entering the lat
ter after registering they learned that the Cycling
Handlers were the second bieyclers VINO nad come
with their wheels to this romantic spot, the Wash
ington Wheelmen having preceded them by about
a year After refreshing bath they entered the
other guests. After tea they were informed by Mr..
Parsons, Jr. that at o'clock there would be an
illumination of the bridge Not knowing what this
meant, but anxious for information, the boys fol-
lowed the large crowd that at the appointed hour
moved toward the bridge. the way to which from
the hotel Is BIZ a beautiful lake and down a Steep
rough and in many places rock-hewn path. lighted
by Chinese lanterns Moving slowly through this
romantic glen, while through the great trees over
shadowing them the beams of the full moon shin,
ing, produced wierd and ghostly shadows around
them. After walking about 800 yards our tourists
saw rising suddenly in the background the Natural
Bridge, dark, shadowy end massive Soon the bon
fire beneath the bridge lighted but its rays
were too feeble TO ilumine the arch overhead, and
served only to make the mighty structure seem
more massive and the shadows darker, while the
forms of men moving about the fire appeared like
small children Rockets with Kissing noise sent high
in air failed toreach the summit of the arch Asthe
fire burned low the sounds of music from the band
aAnder the arch suddenly ceased, and the people,
filled with awe, were hushed to silence speaking
almost in whispers, while 10 sound broke the still
of the night the ripping of the stream and
the murmuring of the winds among the tops of the
pines Movg up the glen hod ron me Sr,ege 20
mighty river, flows a small stream, the crowd
waited in eager expectancy for what was coming
ears, and almost instantly far up the hillside
mighty mass of water, GO feet wide, rushing and
roaring lashing itself into foamy whiteneSs in its
anxiety to be free was seen hurrying, laundering
down. This mighty cataract, GO feet wide and 100
yards high, was made by turning on the waters
from the lake in front of the hotel Here the secre
tary found in the leader of the band, Prof. Schaf
the Naval Academy Band from Annapolis. and at
the request of the HANDLERS. the sounds of Mary
land My Maryland" mingled with the roaring of
the waters Returning to the hotel at 10 o'clock the
tourists formed pleasant acquaintance with Mr..
Frederick jenkins. of Baltimore and with him de-
termined to visit the top of the bridge in the moon
light. After short walk they reached the bridge
High rocks piled on either side of the road form
barriers which prevent a view of the ravne. Pass
ing through a rustic gate our travellers moved eau
tiously down the declivity until they suddenly
their feet what seemed like a bottomless abyss Of
foliage and darkness. From the place where they
stood in 1888 Corbin Loekland fell and in 1915 Robt
summit of the rock wall above the bridge about so
feet less in height than the top of the bridge which
could be seen from where they stood. Unable to
stand erect and look into the great gulf at their feet
the tourists dropped on hands and knees and crawl
ing carefully TO the edge looked into its depths I'M
til, almost unnerved by the sight and being made
to realize How fearful and dizzy it's to cast ones
eyes so low, and yet held to the spot by strange
fascination, they reluctantly turned away, and after
remaining some time above the arch of the bridge
went back to the hotel about midnight. Retiring
to their room the captain and secretary took pos
session of one bed and the president and lieutenant
the other. The night was very warm and it was
found necessary to leave open the door of the room
for purposes of ventilation. This gave rise to
conversation the subject of hotel robberies, and
the propriey of handing their valuables to the
clerk for safe keeping was discussed All, however,
concluded that they could take care of their own
property, and the lieutenant was more especially
confident informing his comrades that "by placing
his watch and pocketbook under his pillow he
would make them perfectly secure" Alas for over
confidence! In few seconds the lieutenant was
snoring so loudly that the Others were unable to
take their much needed rest, In revenge OF
them rose and removed from under the pillow the
watch and money of the lieutenant and then gave
the alarm. Much astonished that he could have
been robbed, the lieutenant rose, and after having
been informed that he the victim of practical
was soon again making night hideous with his
snoreS.