Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-03-17


the edge of the rock with their feet
hanging over the edge of the rock.
did not enjoy looking at them. Ira.
d1tlon says the rock was called the
Lovers Leap because, way back when
the Indians were the occupants Of this
country. young chief became much
in love with one of the Indian beauties
aud wanted her to marry him but she
would not listen to his suit. So, in
revenge, he told her if she did rot
marry him he would jump off of the
bluff into the river and drown himself.
But tradition says she made light OF
his threat and dared him to do it. So be
asked her to go with him and he would
show her. She went with him. When
they got to the place he repeated his
request, but she would have nothing
to do with him, so he bid her good
bye and made a running jump from
the top of the rock and plunged in the
waters of the river. And I suppose,
as she stood waiting to see him come
up down below some time, said to her
self, well, another fool is dead!'' and
hied herself home, and guess she did
not sing, ''Shed not tear when / am
gone, when am gone. not tear"
AS we sat on the top of the bluff,
we saw all sorts of water craft sailing
up and down and across the river. We
saw one little steamboat just large
enough to carry four persons-two
gentlemen and two ladies. The little
engine was in the middle of the boat.
The boat had an awning over the top
and it looked nice and comfortable as
those four persons streamed up and
down the river. We saw d great
many sail boats sailing in every direc-
ton. L never tire of sitting and look
ing at the water go rushing past.
AS the sun began to cast long shad-
ows across the river it admonished us
that was getting time for us to return
towards home. As we started, don't
you think the young members of our
party commenced climbing down the
face of the steep bluff like flies on the
wall. had my doubts about my
climbing down that steep place, but
the young ones said, "we will help
you down" l said, ''the getting down
is easy enough, but the lighting is
what [ don't like / just thought If
they can make it | can. I got along
all right, except one place was drop
of about ten feet, but fortunately there
were some small bushes growing on
each side, and, at the bottom, when
| swung down and let go my hold
half dozen hands were held up to
catch me if missed my footing. But
I made the drop all right,
and we were soon all down on the rail-
road track.
AS we walked down the track we
saw a cave that runs way under the
bluff, where in the early times band
Of river pirates hid their booty and
made it a, place of rendezvous. That
cave extends way back towards the
river Des Peres, and opens back in
hn fol
and rocks could tell if they had the
power of language. What wonderful
this great waterway! love to sit
and let my thoughts go wandering way
back to the past ages. AS we walked
slowly along it was amusing to see the
children of our company go climbing
up the face of the steep rocks to gather
the golden rods and wild asters that
grow among the crevices of the rocks.
After pleasant walk we reached
home in time for supper, which we
enjoyed after such pleasant walk. l
sometimes think it as much part of
worship to sit and admire the wonder
ful works of nature as it is to go to sit
in church. l may be wrong, but l
feel it is a part of worship to admire
the grand scenes that are spread out
before US. Oh, love to gaze at our
grand old mountains, the rocks, the
woods, the streams of water that go
winding through among the noun
tains! / love to listen to the babbling
brooks. the laughing of the wind
among the trees. to lie on the ground
and give myself up to beautiful
thoughts and dream the happy hours
awayi 7. 2. Il.