The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-30
LOST on MOUNTAIN.
Moist Experience of Carbondale
Pleasure Seekers Returning from
Lake Ariel.

on Wednesday, William McHale, Bert
Collins, James Campbell, Dan Pel,
Roger Gillis, John LOTUS and Hugh
Murphy. all of Carbondale, attended
the Knights of Columbus excursion to
Lake Ariel. Surfeited with the enjoy
ment of the occasion, about go p. m-
the octette, climbed into a Democrat
wagon and started on the homeward
journey.
They had not proceeded more than
mile from the shores of the lake be-
fore they We're overtaken by the fierce
storm which swept this section of the
keystone state. In the gloom that fol-
lowed which rivalled the punching of
seventeen stacks of black cats, the
romantic scenery of Wayne county be-
came invisible, and in a few moments
even the razor backs Of the faithful
steeds that dragged them homeward
were lost in the Egyptian pail which
enveloped the earth. AS all efforts to
guide the horses seemed as fruitesS as
organizing board of health in Carbon
dale. the animals We're permitted to
grope their way undrected by human
hands, while the occupants of the
wagon, with chattering teeth bowed
before the pelting torrents that were
borne over the Salem mountains on
the wings of the stiff "southcaster."
AS the time approached for the lights
of Carbondale to loom up beyond the
Last Chance smoke stack. and the jim
gle of Richard Udy's never-failing lawn
mower to be heard, as PAtrolman Jim
Bell did homeward start with "Police-
man Jack" and his full stomach of
soggy pie crust from the Hashory. 1t
became apparent to Hughie Murphy, the
coach whip. that something was wrong.
He urged the jaded nags forward, how
ever, until finally they stopped in evid-
ent despair, refusing to lift another
hoof. from the mud, as did the weed-fed
mules that Eddie Neary drove on the
Honesdale canal.
1t was now that the oozihg courage
of the 'scurcionists went out in sud-
den puff.
They were lost!
One of the party seemed disposed to
call upon heaven for help; another tried
the effects of his vocal organs upon
the midnight air. With the piercing
yell of the Curbstone striplings. that
would put to shame Comanche Indian,
he implored help. To the surprise of his
companions, his supplications We're an
swered by Il Milt Mckinney whisper
from the darkness, which said: Hold
on, Gol darn ye! I'll be ther' in er
minnit!"
BY a hickering lantern which soon
appeared and which looked all the
world like the headlight on Ike Burros
old lunch wagon, the face of a Wayne
county agriculturist beamed out of the
bushes Enquiry Of the farmer, as to
where they were at, revealed the fact
that they were near Prompton,
celebrated as the place from whence
Constable Lafayette Smith once report
ed hard cider mill to the Wayne
county court.
In less time than it takes Constable
Moran to read warrant to prisoner
from Peach hill, negotiations were en-
tered into for the purchase of the Ian
tern. The light was attached to the
wagon pole and the discouraged PAGERS
resumed the race for their oats and
chopped feed. The lantern seemed to
have magic influence upon the ele-
ments, the raging storm soon subsidized;
the clouds broke away, like the post
Office storm doors, Tapping in a March
wind, and the twinkling stars peeped
forth from azure skies.
The octette journeyed hopefully on
with rising spirits, as the twttering of
the feathered sOngsters hailed the APP
prOach of dawn over the east side
swamp. AS the Last Chance whistle
shrilly "piped" the hour of three, the
travellers, wet and wearied, drew into
Wademan's livery stable hack of Main
street; and as one of the party poetical-
ly expresses 1t, they now remark:
"'Twas sorry situation,
And one we won't forget,
When We're lost in contemplation
OF the night we all got wet"