The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-08-02
SEVEN WEARY DUDES.
5000 Feet above the Sea
Level and 40 Miles
from EIorne.

Two weeks ago an aggregation,
consisting of seven of Maryville's
young and rising dudes, burning
with an intense desire to explore
and civilize the regions around
about the top of Bald Noun
tain, determined to leave home and
friends and depart for the wilds of
the Smokes. Every pantry was
Invested of it's uncomfortable full
ness; every garnet suffered pro-
longed examination for old clothes
and WORKOUT shoes, and every
store in town was relieved of its
bacon and corn meal.
But the seven dudes, like the
seven wise men, got off in fine style.
A wagon full of plumber with sew
en- carcasses piled in convenient
places on top, sailed up Main
Street. 1t rained a little as they
proceeded, but they didn't know it.
1t had rained previously, until the
roads were sloshy and slippery.
Darkness overlook them before
they had reached the desired desti-
nation of the first half days travel.
The road lay through a thicket;
clouds arched the sky, and an oc-
casional peal of thunder and light
ming flash added to the comfort of
the travellers. Such is the life of
all great explorers. Before the
ranks of civilization is always found
darkness and desolation.
Every insurmountable had been
surmounted, the darkness had been
penetrated, supper had been eaten,
"a supper characteristic of genuine
explorers--blankets had been
spread upon the shavings in Cop
pOck's saw mill, and the seven
dudes were stretched upon their
backs. 1t was just at this point
that the tallest of the dudes, Luth-
er, the bright star of all ages, rung
the keynote of the ensuing cam.
paign: "This is the best place We'll
have since we've been OUT La.
fayette seconded the motion. Not.
withstanding it was the first night
they had slept out of downy bed
the seven wise men arose early
from their bed and sauntered forth
in hopes of conquest. The Tennes'
see river was reached by 10 o'clock
and the wandering pilgrims Toasted
on river scenery and picturesque
ness. True, some of the finest
farms anywhere may be found or
the banks of the Old Tennessee
There are sights on this river equa
to those on the Rhine. At least
the dudes thought so.
A little more than half-day's
travel brought them to the beauti
full farm and home of John How
ard-the old Hardin place. Situa
ted as it is at the foot of the noun
tains, with the peaks towering loft
lily heavenward on three sides, an(
the shining river flowing to thu
right, a king might well be enviou
of the cool retreat. Here they en-
camped the second night. A scor'
and ten miles from home, in ,
strange land, the boys felt grateful
to Mr.. Howard and his eXcellen
wife for the many courtesies show
cred upon them.
They placed line across the riv
.er and caught three fish and tw'
large turtles. The fish certainly di'
not know the boys were present, o
they would have filled the line
They concluded they didn't know
anything II oout fishing with lin
and pulled up stakes previous t
starting fer Bald.
Friday morning the horses wer
loaded with provisions necessar,
for the trip. Blankets, coats, tn
tent, cooking utensils, eatables, etc
were piled up in great profusio1
and strapped to the horses backs