The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-12-09
ADVENTURES OF OHIO
FOUNTAINS IN VAN LEAR
Chapter I.

On or about September 2 when the
first rosy tints of aurora were to be
seen In the far Eastern sky there de-
parted from the little town of Beaver
Dam four ambitious young ladies.
bound for the Mountains of Eastern
Kentucky. There IL was their inten-
ton to seek fun, happiness, novelty.
adventure and romance-however, no
one had the slightest idea of their
intentions for they we're all safely
tucked away and hidden. under the
dignificd covering of being school
marms".
Perhaps before go further with
my story | should give the reader a
hasty description of these four adven-
turers AS do not prefer using any
names in this story will merely call
them No. L, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4,
respectively.
No. l wass from the fertile farm
land, near Livermore, Ky. A good
natured person. with kind and gem
ial character. eternally willing that
herself may suffer rather than her
fellow comrades. One who pears ac-
quaintance we'll and is always sure
to make friends wherever she may
go.
No. was a resident of the little
town of Hartford. very jolly. per-
son, yet fairly well supplied with
dignity and possessing that awe-in-
spring power of making people like
her, whether they want to or not.
Endowed with the rich blessing of
dark brown eyes and, hair darker still
and smile especially curved and
primed for each new occasion
No. and No may easily he de-
scribed together. Both beins very
unsophisticated and changeable.
Having developed, due to close and
constant companionship, similar
taste for all things. always desiring
the new and unheard of, creating
something different and all in all
amounting to very little. However,
as to personal appearances there is
quite al contrast. In describing them
in this way will not take space to
go into detail but merely state the
nic-names often used between the
two, but never, no! never!! mention
ed to another living soul SQUAD" and
Slim"
After an eternity of waiting the
train Numbered into Beaver Dam.
farewells were quickly spoken and
soon the fair adventures were on
their. way to the bowling wilderness.
To their sad disappointment they
were unable to procure seats together
and all through the journey to Louis
willie were Obliged to remain apart.
excepting No. 3 and No. 4. of course
they were inseparable. At Louisville
they changed cars for Ashland and
over this expanse of territory tray
eled as first-class passengers. in
pullman car. overlaid with green 9TH >
seats were).
No incident of particular interest
occurred between Louisville and Ash
land, save No. l treated the bunch to
a bulky package of real, surenuff
homemade candy.
At last after hours of rafting and
rolling of wheels the train steamed
into Ashland. Here the Big Four
bought fresh tickets and boarded the
Big Sandy Creeper for Van Lear
their destination. Then things be-
gan TO happen. In place of the vast
stretches of blue grass. rose hill af-
ter hill, and finally the Big Four
pronounced them mountains. In
stead OF magnificent dwelling places !
along the way stood little mountain !,
cabins, seeming always to grow !
smaller and smaller as the hills grew
larger. The hearts of the adven-
turers would almost stand still as
the train would swing around a
curve and disclose still more appall-
ing secret of the mountains or plunge
into a pitch-black tunnel which
seemed always to be a little longer
than the one previous. And on top
Of all. the jolly old conductor re-
peated tale after tale of wild and
woody nature, concerning the future
home of the Big Four, and ii was
With very uncertain tread the bunch
stepped from the Southern Bound,
10 the charcoal platform Of Van Lear
Junction.
Scarcely had they heard the crack
,f the platform beneath their feet
when they espied their Superinten-
lent and member of the School
Board awaiting them. Introductions 4
we're made to the member of the
school Board by the Superintendent.