Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-07-21

ties Of the drive. We are now nearing
the ruins of the famous Glen Echo, that
beautiful sylvan retreat DER which
poets raved but two summers ago.
Nothing remains of the glory and
splendor of this charming spot but the
arched gateway of undressed pine
boughs- There is nothing left TO re-
mind US Of the beautiful parquet hall,
which seemed a glimpse of fairyland
with the fountain and flowers in the
center and the band playing Wagnerian
melodies and harTlonieS from the bal
cony. No longer does the Washington
young man bring his best summer girl
to stroll around the rustic bowers of
this modern Arcadia on the banks OF
the Potomac. In one night the fire
fend destroyed the work Of months.
Nothing was spared. There is some
talk Of building a new Glen Echo, but
the man who undertakes it will have to
be very painstaking indeed TO come up
to the expectations of the thousands
who have visited Glen Echo in the past
and who will be satisfied with nothing
short of their former amusement Mecca.
Only few rods from the site of this
river palace is the National Woman's
Chautauqua, an educational institution
much affected by ladies of uncertain
age and given wide berth by the ris-
ing generation. The aforementioned
electric road which runs from George
town to the Chautauqua affords I'm
limited opportunities to the truly good
| to worship at the shrine of knowledge
Leaving this classic atmosphere let Us
| fall in line again behind this smart young
| man In the natty spring suit, who en-
x1G :, -,
| his blackboard the prettiest girl on the
| road. The effect is somewhat spoiled.
| however, by the spectacle eff two ragged
country urchins hanging on to the rear
| of his trap. After leaving the Chauta-
qua the residences become scarcer and
| we can see the waters of the Potomac
shining through the trees on the bank.
| At this point the river is quite shallow,
| being near the ''Little falls" or, more
| properly speaking, the Little rapids"
| At intervals along the way from George
| town are road-houses with acconmoda-
| tions for man and beast where the
thirsty travellers may be cared for.
Just up this hill and on to the level,
| we are in sight of the bridge. From
where we now are it appears nothing
| more than the conduit road with stone
| ratings on either side. As we drive on
| the bridge we are still unable to ap-
| preciate the magnitude of the arch 1t
| requires a view from another point to
! realize the extent of this great-stone
| structure. Looking from the parapet
| of the bridge to the chasm of Cabin
Johns creek, 1o1 feet below, is very apt
| to make us dizzy, so we will cross to the
| opposite side, stable our horse and stop
| at the hotel for few minutes. There
| is a crowd of thirsty visitors making
| for the bar to get a glass of the mint
julep for which this hosiery is cele-
brated. Every sorry, gentlemen. but
! we serve only soft drinks here; but it
| you viii walk into the dining-room I
| have 20 doubt the waiter viii be able TO
| supply you with what you want, at
table" What farrell
Out on the piazza we viii take the
| flight of winding stairs leading down to
the ravine of Cabin Johns creek, at the
base of which we can examine the
bridge at our leisure It is erected OF
| immense blocks Of granite, and leaps the
ravine at a single arch of 220 feet 1t Is
| a wonder in the history Of bridge build
ing, being the largest stone arch In the
world. 1t was designed and erected
under direction Of jefferson Davis when
he was secretary Of war, and his name
was cut in the keystone Of the arch at
the time. During the war. however.
some one with more ardor than discre-
ton destroyed the inscription and it has
never been replaced The bridge cost
the government s2S7.O00. There is an
opening in one corner, dark hole like
the entrance to the internal regions.
The few visitors who explore this cav.
ern look relieved when they emerge
from its gloomy interior into the bright
sunshine of the summer afternoon
SMITH d. FRY.