Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-22
Jack LOndOn'S Spring

To the Editor Of the Telegraph:
The Sparkling Water" near Har-
risburg has been remembered with
joy by at least one world-renowned
sailor, although the word Kipona
was not in use when Jack London
spent that day in June, 1895, in
and about the city. He enjoyed his
swim "off one of the piers" despite
the fact that his clothing was rob-
bed of all his possessions-cigar-
ct papers, tobacco and about
thirty cents while he was in bath
ing.
Many Harrisburg people, no
doubt, are familiar with his vividly
written description of that days
experiences, in the story called
Pictures" included in his book,
THE Road" which, I think. is now
out of print.
The suggestion was once made to
Mr.. London that the water-drink-
ing revel at the card-party on the
railroad bank, on the West Shore,
might have been due to the telepa-
thic influence of DIR. Swallows near
residence to the scene.
To which he replied from Pa
peete, Tahiti:
What funny name for a pro-
hibitionist. Swallow!
"I guess it must have been tele-
| pathy that made me drink SO much
water that day, for 1 had never
! heard of DR.. Swallow. On the
other hand, I have a strong lean
ing toward other hypotheses-first,
that our excessive water-drinking
secondly, that it was due to our
I In p1CcadnncC
And this from the Hotel Tivoli,
Ancon, Canal Zone, July 1, 1909:
49, AS regards that spring!
Let me see If I can, after this lapse
| of time, describe it to you. Cross
Ing the bridge from Harrisburg
, and approaching the bluff where
the gypsies were, facing said bluff,
| 1t seems that my right hand point
| ed along the railroad track to the
north. From the bluff, I went
north along the railroad track. 1t
may have been two miles, but
| really don't think it was more than
a quarter of a mile when I came
to the steep grade up which the
freight-train bound for Baltimore
would come slowly.
from the edge of the railroad track
on the grade, you should find the
spring-unless they have changed
the railroad grade there -"
JACK LONDON"
Perhaps, someone familiar with
Jack London's spring, will tell us
about it, and what has become oi
1t?
Can you find room for these few
lines from the story Pictures?
THE game proceeded, and
learned the stake for which we
played. Down the bank toward the
river descended a steep and narrow
path that led to a spring some
twenty-five feet beneath. We play.
ed on the edge of the bank.
"The man who was stuck ha6
to take a small condensed mill
can. and with it carry water to the
winners.
"The first game was played ant
the coon was stuck. He took the
small milk-tin and climbed dowI
the bank, while we sat above anc
guyed him. We drank like fish
Four round trips he had to max,
for me alone, and the others wer,
equally lavish with their thirst. Th,
path was very steep, and some
times the coon slipped when par
way up, spilled the water. and hat
to go back for more. But he didn'
get angry. He laughed as hearth,
as any of us; that was why h,
slipped so often. Also, he assured
US of the prodigious quantities o
water he would drink when some
|, one else got stuck.
when our thirst was quenchet
another game was started. Again
the coon was stuck, and again W.
drank our fill. A third game ant
fourth ended the same way. ant
each time that moon-faced dark,
: nearly died with delight at apprec
iation of the fate that chance wa
dealing hiEl. And we nearly die,
with him. what Of our delight. W