Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-12-11

lmparI MS enthusiasm WlCHouG HopluS
to trace fully it's causes. The Persian
moharch's desire--a new pleasure-is
secured at length to the world in the
Luray Cave"
Rooms Of great size, so high that the
many wax tapers fail to relieve all the
outlines, fretted and stuccoed with i'm
agery far more elegant than any mas
terpiece of art. Natural passage-ways
of frescoed work lead from our wonder
to another. We ascend and descend,
we look up to the gEores above and
down into the unfathomable depths
below, we look across hills and ravines
until the formations are swallowed up
in impenetrable darkness and mystery,
we see some above us, others below us,
whilst the voices of the guides and the
exclamations of surprise, admiration and
awe from the spectators, causes feel
ing of strangeness to come over u.s.
Surrounded by this weird beauty, so
unlike anything seen before, we feel as
though we have been transported to an.
other world. It is, undoubtedly, a
world in miniature, seemingly sudden
ly congealed in formation.
Once more we come back to the ev-
cry day world aid now it even seems
strange after the fantastic effects of
wax tapers and electric lights on cave
formations. We wend our way slowly
back to the town of Luray, which
claims historic fame although its gen
eral appearance is not attractive. The
Luray Restaurant and Luray Inn are
buildings of late design and fine archi-
tectural beauty. We were half an
hour late starting from home but we
made the time by running mile in
less than a minute.
The sun was setting slowly over the
western hills and the shades of eve
were drawing on as the great iron
monster with the burden of human
freights, once more conducted us along
the banks of the Southern Shenandoah.
Its beautiful waters, the pleasure boats
along the picturesque banks, the halo
of an historic past, the snblimity of the
surrounding mountain scenery suggest
ed that this is country more suited
for romance than the bugle call to bat
tie. If tradition and history are not
at fault. many have been the deeds of
daring, for fair ones done; many veri-
table romances in real life have here
been enacted. Be that as it may, it is
no wonder that the Virginian loves his
home.
The moon has arisen and causes ma
lures rugged outlines to appear more
beautiful, the unsightly is toned down
to pleasing effects and spell of en-
chantment is thrown over all. Fain
would we proceed more leisurely but
our motive power hurries us on with
relentless speed.
We have passed the lights Ct Charles
town and will soon leave Virginian
soil. At Shepherdstown we find that
the town had been visited by Il severe
rain storm so that for some distance the
car track was covered with water. eau
tiously we proceed, in safety we reach
the bridge, in safety we once more
cross the Blue Potomac into Maryland,
my Maryland.
Here we were treated to grand pan.
oralna. The moon still fingered lov-
ingly along the South Mountain, over
head few clouds are hurrying across
the sky disclosing here and there a
star, and to the west higher than the
proud peaks of the North Mountain
rise the clouds of thunderstorm in
threatening majesty. The lurid forked
lightnings shot hither and thither with
fierce rapidity like grim sentinels ap-
pointed to watch the acts of humanity.
We pass on, leaving to our east the
embattled hills of Antietam and Shatps-
burg. During an hours delay at Ha-
cerstowh we were treated to a slight
deluse but ere we proceeded much fur
ther on our homeward journey Luna
once more asserted her rights and
shone quite brilliantly. The raindrops
glistened and glimmered like silver
Sheen the shadows danced grotesquely
as we ascend the picturesque Catoctin:
This morning we regarded this part OF
our route tame but toni ght the mellow
ravs of the Goddess Of Night, render
ing less apparent any defects in this
glorious spot of nature, causes me to
exclaim, how beautiful! Virginia may
boast of romantic and historic fame, but
Maryland is dear to me still. The
calm, beautiful night coupled with the
novel. intoxicating pleasure of the day
causes me to lapse into dreamy rever-
lie, whilst waited to me by the gentle
wings of night. like some sweet ethereal
music, lulling my wandering fancy to
: delicious forgetfulness of time and
place, I seem to hear the strains OF
Home Sweet Home, caroled joyously by
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