The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-06-28

OH DuJ ne was alSueu uOWn by MS
companion, who, thinking the beer
the property Of the excursion party,
grew eloquent in his advocacy of the
harmless beverage" until he discov-
cred his mistake, then he wanted to
join Wash and kick the vile stuff off
OF the train. Wash, who was Just 60
ing to Erwin, cooled right down when
he was apprised Of the fact that he
and the beer had common destina
ton and getting mp left Liza raving
companion. Nothing like monotony
could exist aboard, and there was al
ways something going on to attract
ones attention-the band played, the
boys and girls talked and laughed,
while the older heads nerYously
watched the young fry clambering
about over the train in q determined
effort to find a place where they could
get hurt. But they did not meet
with any success along that line, and
most of them gave it up in disgust
and settled down in their seats and
waited for the train to run off. This
did not happen. The nearest anyone
came to getting hurt was at Stones
mill, just beyond Unicoi City. A
young man had climbed upon top Of
the observation car; being told by an
older friend that there was no chance
of getting hurt up there, he began
climbing down just as the train was
passing switchboard which stood
close up to the side Of the track. He
would have succeeded, but he did not
see the projection soon enough and
it passed harmlessly by, merely brush
ing his ear.
AS the train approached Erwin. the
"deyil's looking glass" great precip-
itous rock leaning up against the
mountain, could be plainly seen. All
eyes were turned on the "glass," as
someone who had been there before
pointed it out, but it was too far of to
make visible the visage OF his satanic
majesty. 1t is a weird treasure, but it
seemed to be the common property OF
all, and there is not likely to spring up
any litigation from an over Jealous
claimant. Even Wash Crumley, law
yer that he is, did not try to prove his
title to Old Nick's mirror. The re-
port became scattered about the train
along here that man had been killed
on one OF those vertical farms that
morning. He had fallen out OF la corn.
field and crushed his body to pulp
A good view OF the field could be had
from the train, and none of the excur-
sion party felt that his credence had
been challenged by the report, There
could be nothing questioned except
the sanity Of the man who would go
up in one OF those fields without a
parachute, The prevailing custom,
and one which is accompanied with a
small death rate, is to stand down in
the valley and plant the corn with a
shotgun.
The next place OF any interest was
the scramble around the river bank to
reach the landing of the boats which
were to convey us over, but even this
clinging along between river and
mountain WIS enjoyed by some OF the
naughty young men who followed the
party for the spoils. The work Of fer
rying was slow, but all felt safe when
they got into the boat of "Uncle Dot"
Deaderick, who carried us over to
greener woods, better water, higher
mountains and prettier girls
Once over and all allegiance to the
master Of ceremonies WAS thrown
off and the party began to scatter. and,
as James Whitcombe Riley says,
"do just as they dern please"
The band discoursed some fine mu'
sic on the commons in front Of Unaka
Springs Hotel, but it took more than
brass band to call this pleasure bent
crowd together--it took something like
"Uncle Dots" dinner bell to do it
Only few Of the party had brought
along their lunches, and the appetiz
ing properties Of the water were pres
emit in we'll marked degree at the
table. From the time we landed un
til that melodious bell was heard
VIM. G. Mathes assisted the water II
getting in its appetizing work by
persistent argument that it would b
impossible to get dinner by one o'clock
| A proof OF Mr.. Mathes' ability to in
spire confidence is shown by the fac
that when the bell was rung the re
porter, and even Others thought tina
their appetites we're being tampere'
with, but It was dinner, sure enough
The most fastidious epicure coul'
not contradict this statement with tn
evidence before him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Deaderick are no
good entertainers, but magnihcen
feeders.
A great change come over the part
after dinner was over; all seemed I
/, have accomplished the object of tn
visit and quietly laid down to rest III
til the hour Of departure.
The boats were once more Gale
into use and seon all were again o
the other side Of the river.
The observation car was in the rea