The National tribune., 1895-11-07


tie or big7 There is the wonderful bridge |
spanning the deep glen to be seen. and we
must listen at the little rocky opening in the |
cliff, to hear the hu-rying waters Of "The Lost !
River" and wonder where it comes from and |
whittier it is going. aud what mysterious paths
it finds hidden away within these mountains.
Drink from the trickling stream that comes
FORTH for Whoever drinks here shall return"
SO the legend goes. One would not like to say
good by forever to this country round about
the bridge. 1t is too beautiful to give up. So
drink of the water of "The Whispering Well
that comes from the Lost River.
The oak trees are having great show in the
grove, and We must attend. Let my Lady
Fashionable enjoy her horse show more if she
can. The Aoor is carpeted with brown leaves
whose rustling is sweet music we go. Leaves
are hnttering in the air; occasionally there is
whir at our feet and busy squirrel is off and
away before we lazy folks have chance to ex-
change gossip with him. The leaves and the
winds are whispering above US, and all the
sounds Of the forest are gently bidding US well
come.
To think of an oak being as gay as chrys-
anthemum There several here that are.
They look quite as ragged and larky in their
red trappings. Autumn's flower cannot Guido
them in gaycty. Some few oaks are clad in
the soberness of russell color, but most of them
are in red undeniable and uncompromising red.
So
What a wealth of color and design Look
at the cedar, with rings and necklaces Of blue
berries. neither turquoises nor sapphires, but
blue gems of its own, that contrast most quantity
with the green branches. The naples are
decked inlcorals and gold this year. The blac's
berry vines are red. dark and shadowy, except
in the bright sunlight where each leaf truly
locks like an awakened ruby" foolish
cherry tree, deceived by the warm sunshine,
has decked herself in garlands Of white bios
soms-a bad sign, the darkies say, when the
fruit trees blossom in the Fall. But the tree is
only trying to make Maytme in October The
woodbne has hung scarlet ribbons over the
broken rocks and the dilapidated fences, and
is the bravest of little comforters trying to
cover the desolate places and to brighten the
roadsdes.
glen which is some 2I5 feet below. at is
single block of limestone, wide enough to span
Broadway high enough to throw in shadow
the turrets of Trinity Church. The walls are
smooth as if cut with chisels. Under it men
look like boys and trees like bushes
birds high in the air pass beneath the blue
arch the place is full of echoes. and-the wind
and water moan eternally. Exactly overhead
on the highest spring of the arch is the figure
of gigantic Spread Eagle, in the same position
as it is seen on the American Coat of Arms"
It's origin is a mystery. Whether patient
river, working for centuries, carved the grace
full arch or whether gases, by slow effort, did
the tunneling is not known. 1t is there, how
ever, and is one of the wonders of the world,
though surprisingly few Americans know any
thing of it. Foreigners usually have heard of
il, aud are curious to see it.
s.
Trees, moses, bushes and ferns have made
quite bower around it, though the strong,
rugged rock of the cliffs is never completely
hidden. It is bridge in daily use. Farmers
and country-fok pass over it, as matter of
course. They have long ago forgotten to won
der at it. Way down beneath the arch little
stream sings along over the rocks. Further
up in its course it leaps the rocks with spray
so fine and flmy that it has been named Lace
Water Falls" Springs trckle down the cliffs,
adding their musical dripping notes to the sing
ing stream. There are, besides. in this same
glen Cedar Island and the old, wartime Salt
Peter caves. Up above, in the cliffs, is Pulpit
Rock.
The bridge was gift from King George III
"to his loyal and faithful subject, Thomas
Jefferson" Then, it has an Indian legend, too.
One Indian tribe, fleeing from another, ap-
preached the cliffs and gave up all hope, for
death only seemed possible-either to dash
over the rocks, or be killed by the enemy's
arrows. Then the bridge was found-a sure
retreat-easily defended. 1t was miracle, q
gift from their god to save them from their
enemies One old chief is supposed to be bur-
led there near the sacred bridge, and mound
of stones marks his grave.
x*s
The mysterious caves in this region. those
whose entrance only may be seen and those
wherein one two chambers have been ex-
plored-The Bottomless Pit and the Hidden
River-promise a series Of underground won
ders equal to those of Luray if they be ever
opened up and lighted Cave-exploring, how
ever, seems right risky business. and it may
not be in our time that these wonders are made
generally accessible. The bats might tell
strange tales of underground passages and
chambers if they would. They seem to be the
only living things that can enter the caves with
safety and comfort as yet.
-.
| Speaking Of holes in the ground, they have
| Doodle bugs" here which same entirely
new to me- although James Whitcomb Riley
| has verse about them. The children find the
| little holes in the earth and call out, Doodle
bug Doodlebug come out and get some
bread" and the little Doodle bug straightway
comes out OF his little tunnel. which is all most
| charming and obedient and obliging of the
| Doodle-bug, and it's nice to have him under
stand the English language. Whether he eats
bread really or is only polite and pretends to
want it, l cannot tell.
Persmmons are ripe aud hanging thick upon
their lca1ess trees. To the Northornor this
| fruit is novelty. They say tho liking for il
is an acquired one, which may a. sell believed.
1t has the same kind OF tasto that tho banana
has-srich and sweet. 1t is not really favored