The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-06-13
PENN,s GAVE.
a Natural wOnderTo Bo Seen in Central
Pennsylvania.
IL III IL

a Natural wonderTo 10 Seen In Central
Pennsylvania.
10 he Editor Of Hs IRielgsncsr.
sIR;-We are apt to look through
rose.colored spectacles at objects which
are now far distant. and which seems
to me in the happy past as going fur to
make up pleasant existence.
But an object OF beauty want to
write about now stands on its own
merits and will bear the closest inspec'
ton. 1t is "Penn's Cave" in Central
Pennsylvania The surrounding coun,
try is the garden spot Of the world, and
the cave is the centre OF attraction; 1t
is not the location which has gained for
it its widespread fame. Passing through
a valley OF rich farming country, and
surrounded on the way by mountain
ranges, you are able TO appreciate an
object OF beauty such as meets your
eye on reaching the western end OF
Penn's Valley where the cave IL found.
1t is just as the divine architect
planned it. Tho ceiling ranges from
twenty to fifty feet in height and reach
ing one-half mile underground There
are barns belonging to the farmers in
the vicinity-which appear to hb built
directly overhead, and the sound which
breaks the stillhess is the tramping OF
the horses above you, together with the
constant dripping OF the water down
the walls OF tho cave and the splashing
OF the oars OF the guide 1t requires q
guide with his boat and lantern to ex,
plore it, and tourists are interested and
amused at the indifference he. mani
fests to secure a "tip." He is tQlWeya
available, however, and trusty as can
be. The only modern or human jldi-
cations are the wooden steps leading
down to the mouth Of the cave The
opening is large, which gives one the
sensation OF entering spacious stone
house, and only Mt very few places do
the walls become so narrow ps to no.
quire doxterity in getting the skill
safely through. StalactItes are numer-
GUS and varied and beautiful. At one
place there extends from the wall over
head many punches Of tobacco leaves
which appear as real as those we sea
in passing down the kentucky shore.
There are two rooms or apartments,
two leading off from the main cave, and
into or over these one is allowed to
scramble, presuming that he is armed
with oVershoes and wraps TO keep him
comfortable in this December atmos'
phere he has so suddenly met in the
heat OF summer. Tho feeling arising in
one is that fave, md he must be an
almost soulless creature who is not
thrilled with the thought, "My Father
made it ALL" Before entering the cave
an opportunity is given visitors to reg
ister, and the names OF people OF note
which strike the eye Is another sure
evidence that this is u wonderful work
OF nature, and nothing ordinary or
commonplace.
Cupid seems to dwell, or to be within
easy call; and many are the parties he
is suspected OF chaperoning aud we be.
liev0 Justly so, too--not speaking from
experience but from observation.
There are now greatly improved ac-
commodations for visitors, have been
told, lack Of which always was the
greatest drawback to complete enjoy
ment there.
Going eastward via the Pennsylvania
railroad from Wheeling the Horseshoe
curve is passed, and altogether it would
form most delightful little journey,
and come within the reach Of persons
OF moderate means. Until the rare
beauties Of the central Pennsylvania
valleys are seen one does not know all
about the charms OF his own country.
No matter how he may BIO able to OK
patiate on the grandeur Of scenery in
foreign climes, PENN's VALLEY.