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

Reported for the Democratic Advocated
Having coasted down steep hill the tourists dis
ysounted in front of the Forest Inn. Here on a
slightly depressed plateau, 500 feet above sea level
arc the Natural Bridge hotels. Appedore. Pavilion,
ter AFTER registering they learned that the Cycling
Rambiers were the second bicyclers who had come
with their wheels to this romantic spot the Wash
year. After a refreshing bath they entered the
supper room, where they found about four hundred
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 Big beautiful lake and down steep,
rough and in manT places rock hewn path, lighted
by Chinese lanterns. Moving slowly through this
shadowing them the beams Of the full moon shin
ing, produced wierd and ghostly shadows around
them. After walking about 500 yards our tourists
saw rising suddenly in the background the Natural
Bridge, dark shadowy and massive. soon the Don
fire beneath the bridge was lighted, but Its rays
were too feeble to illumine 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 ike
small children Rockets with Kissing noise sent high
in air. failed toreaeh the summit of the arch sthe
fire burned low the sounds of music from the band
EMder 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. Moving up the glen from the 6sidge 70 a
mighty river, flows a small stream, the crowd
waited in eager expectancy for what was coming.
Suddenly the sound of rushing waters greeted their
ears, and almost instantly far up the hillside a
mighty mass of water, GO feet wide, rushing and
roaring, lashing itself into foamy whteness 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 me waters
tary found in the leader of the band, Prof Schah,
an old ACQUAINTANCE, and the musicians, part OF
the Naval Academy Band from Annapolis and at
the request of the Ramblers. the sounds of MARY
land. My Maryland mingled with the roaring of
the waters Returning to the hotel at 1G 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
High rocks piled on either side Of the road form
barriers which prevent a view of the ravine Pass
tiousIy down the decliyity until they suddenly
found themselves on Pulpit Rock, and saw below
foliage and darkness From the place where they
stood in 1888 Corbin Lockand fell and in 1915 Robt.
Walker, both being killed. This point is on the
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 the edge looked into its depths
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
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 on the subject of hotel robberies and
the propriey of handing their valuabes to the
clerk for safe keeping 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 one 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
joke, replaced his property in its former place and
was soon again making night hideous with his
SHORES.