The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-02-24


Mammoth cave said, Immediately,
This is much more beautiful, though
not so extensive. =
Our guide was Intelligent and enter
tanning, but we would rather in silence
traversed these grand halls and wind
ing paths, where each moment It
seemed some elfin-like creatures must
appear, and either drive us from their
realms or beguile us further on to un-
explored parts.
The electric light just reached, and
but dimly portrayed the "Specter Col
umn" and human bones lying petrided
in one of the dark chasms.
had tried to imagine the appear
ance of stalactites and stalagmites as
described to me, but soon found that
of cave beauties with their great halls,
wonderful arches, and fairy-like effects,
I had no idea.
Once, after leaving long passage
or hall, we entered large, brightly
lighted chamber, with spacious room,
from which hung in every direction,
sparkling stalactites. Looking back
ooAAA
in which we stood and at the end Of the
hall the arabs tent" around which
the cave formations hung in many-col-
ored folds, as if bright drapery had
been used in it's construction; behind
these folds lights were placed, so that
the colors in layers like the comedian
or agate were seen at distance. From
Oh IN, h
ing stalactites, and from the floor arose
stalagmites in majestic proportions. It
required but little effort of the magma
ton to fancy they were statues worn
with age, or perhaps with water, that
was frequently seen falling lightly over
them. We wondered if some of them
had not found their way into the De
Cesnoli collection Of museum notoriety.
The Empress Column, as our guide
called it, resembled closely statue Of
graceful proportions, the clear outlines
of which were slightly dimmed by
snow.
The last chamber we entered was
very large, and though called the ball
room, did not suggest to any of our
party thought of dancing; but as We
sat resting-for our walk had been a.
long one-a sweet voice, clear and bird
like, with just touch of sadness in it.,
arose, singing the ''Swiss Herdman's
Song" and as it's echoes died away
from us, we fancied they had been
caught by some mysterious influence
and carried along-away-whe new
wealth of beauty awaits the future ex-
plorer, and finally blended with heav-
emily sounds to which our ears are not
yet attuned.
We left the cave reluctantly, and
started on our way to New York. Our
young acquaintance had enjoyed it as
he did everything else, in a quiet sort
Of way. We began to think regretfully
of parting from him. He compelled one
to think Of him, though certainly not
from any efforts of his own. The in
telligence, gentleness and absence of
selfshness discovered in him during
our. short acquaintance made me won
uer that we could have thought him
an untutored, inexperienced youth, and
aroused a lasting interest in him. ~
A short time before we reached New
York our conversation led to remarks
upon the almost universal difference
between great men and their sons, and
charging upon it, we cited many in
stances. He asked that we should not
make our remarks too general, adding,
with quiet humor, my father is great
man." -
The solitary person with whom we
began our journey-the inexperienced
youth, who was husband and father
had traversed the whole globe, and was
the youngest son of General Grant!