Evening star., 1925-05-31

Trunk" where local lore declares q
man hanged himself.
In another section of the cave is
room which is also an object OF
interest to the visitor. There are two
entrances, both barricaded by a wall
OF rock over which the visitor mus,
crawl to get into II. In this room
the guide declares, the James boys
ana their gang had rendezvous
where they retired when pressed by
pursuing posses. 1t matters little
that the James boys are not definitely
known ever to have been in that part
of Missouri.
a Topping Boulder
In another portion of the cave the
visitor sees a terrifying spectacle. He
comes upon ii Unexpectedly. A huge
boulder, weighing many tons, is
Wedged between the walls. approx
mately midway between the ceiling
ana the moor. 1t hangs at a pecu-
liar angle SO that when approa ched
from one side it appears to be about
TO topple over. One must pass be-
meath this Hanging Rock" TO pro
ceed.
Numerous freshets and springs are
to be found and there are some
stalactites and stalagmites. although
most of these have been broken off
by tourists. The deeper one pene-
trates, the higher the ceiling he
comes. and there are many places
where the height of the passage Is
oV Ieet- In some places the floor
shInos almost to the ceiling and then
descends into dark mystic valleys
The spring which quenched tbc
thirst of Tomand Becky is there
not far from the original entrance
marx Twain wrote about The prece
dent set by these two child lovers
has been zealously followed and the
walls or the cave, in the fan,flia, ,
parts, are covered with names and
Gates scratched after a candle had
deposited background of SCOT.
outsioe Is beautiful valley, rooted
oy the branches of numerous trees
IL Is filled with wild flowers and birds
but its chief inl1abitant is the cbipgar
which asserts itself vigorously wher
picnickers spread their repasts on
the grass. A few hundred feet sway
Is the Mississippi, while a peacef,il
little branch divides the valley.
Just over the hill to the north is
the cemetery in which are buried most
OF the Clemens family, and then comes
Hannibal itself, where the name
Mark Twain" bobs up at almost
every Sltccl COElieT. lhere is a Mark
Twain avenue, a Mark Twain Hot al
Mark Twain Automobile Club and
numerous Mark Twain businesses. one
OF the sights" is the former home Of
the famous humorist
Standing on the lip of a bluff over
looking the river in what is known
as Riverview Park, is a statue OF
Mark Twain. He stands, a command
ing figure, surveying the miles OF
country that lie beneath him. Bridal
wreath, red-bud, may apple and wild
roses bloom about him. In the distance
the river loses itself in the hills. just
across and down a bit is Jackson Is
land, where Huck Firms father had
his abode. 1t Is as II the great hurnor
ist were standing guard over the
country he loved so well.
The blasts will soon wreck the cave
If something is not done to prevent
In Hannibal one hears of the unsafe
condition OF the remote passages and
many people are loath to enter at all
Mark Twain said ii would be there
In the afternoon of eternity" but II
is trembling before the cement work
ers. 1t may go down to oblivion with
its traditions and lore and names OF
lovers and boy:sh dreams.