Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-08-31
A VISIT to Mammoth Gave.
By {. W. YERRINGTON.

article To the readers of the RECORD
as a gem of literary art, but merely ali
off-hand description of what | can re-
member of the many attractive features
of this great natural curiosity the fame
of which has spread abroad throughout
all the civilized world.
1t is a curious fact that there are peo-
pie who have lived nearly all their lives
within few hours ride of the cave. and
yet have never gazed upon its diamond
studded ceilings, have never ridden up
on its lakes or rivers, have never lis
tened TO the roar of its cataracts, or
threaded its tortuous footpaths as they
wind about through some of the most
beautiful scenery III the world, now
broadening into a wide boulevard with
floor leyel as the smoOthest pavement,
aud again narrowing To a scant foot
path that winds itself about some huge
precipice, where single mis- step would
hurl one upon the mercilesS rocks be-
/ low.
Yet, while these people, living within
Il few miles of the cave, have never Wis
tied it, we see upon the hotel register
names of parties from nearly every
part of the old world, as well as the
new.
As there come times TO everyone
when the burdens of every day life are
| lightened, it is not less true of the hum
drum life of the poor student. SO. as
the last day of the term of school at
Valparaiso drew to close, we shut our
books with sigh Of relief, and turned
our attention to sandwiches, boiled
eggs, pickles. and numerous other arti-
cles of more or less Importance, that
would tend to make our journey to the
cave as pleasant as possible, for to the
cave we were going.
Among the party of eXcursionists
from Valparaiso, was Mr.. W. II. Co
Fart, who attended the Alma Normal
during its entire existence, and who,
also, was my claSsmate in Valparaiso.
The pleasure of sightseeing can only
be half enjoyed when one is alone, but
when in company of old acquaintance
and friends,we see the brightest side of
everything
Thursday evening, Aug. Sth, found
us with loaded lunch baskets and va
Uses, climbing into the train. They
were all strangers to me in the ear, eX-
cept my friend, Mr.. c.. but after spread
ing ourselves and baggage over two or
three of the largest seats we could find.
our attention was attracted by the vol
ume of song that came gushing forth
from the souls Of our nearest neghbors.
We ought not to complain, for they
charged us nothing for the music, and
If 1t was not of the very best quality
they made it up in quantity. One could
scarcely be angry with them. for they
were such pretty good-natured looking
boys, so c. and joined in the chorus. |.
From that moment we were taken into /.
their hearts as brothers and enrolled as
charter members IN that musical orga-
niZation.
We won great distinction among our
fellow passengers for we furnished mu- I
sic ~ on all occasions during the entire
trip, We gained the very flattering
appellation of the band"
Subsequently. when we were wall
dering in the cave and the souls OF our
companions were oppressed by the in
eXpresslble darkness that surrounded
us,and the mind pictured strange things
from the mysterious and curious shaped
things about us. the band" gave forth
sweet strains to cheer the hearts of the
wanderers. and yet they never tried to
throw us into any of the chasms. If
anyone doubts the truth of this state /.
ment, refer them to the chief musicians
of the organization, Mr.. w. r. Black /
welder and Mr. c. + Spicer, both gen
tlemen of some distinction in the Val
paraiso Normal.
The sun got up early enough to con-
duct us into Louisville. and about the
first thing that greeted my vision, as
rubbed my eyes and looked out the OPP
posite car window, was the long bridge
that spans the Ohio river and which we
soon crossed. 1t looks quite imposing
to one who has never seen SO large a
bridge before, as it draws itself haugh-
tily up above all surrounding objects,
and makes the largest buildings look
very much ashamed of themselves.
realized at a glance that its standing
in society was great deal above me,
and | respected it accordingly. If
could tell how many feet long it is,
wouldn't say. for everyone who reads
this would stop at that particular point
and say well he ought to see such and
such bridge" SO, perhaps it wasn't
50 much Of bridge after all, but to
one SO young as |. ana who has never