A Trip To The Mountain
Dublin Core
Title
A Trip To The Mountain
Subject
Mountain Lake, Bald Knob, Cascade
Creator
"TAD."
Source
http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1
Publisher
The entity responsible for making the resource available in its present form, such as a publishing house, a university department, or a corporate entity. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Date
October 1876
Contributor
Natalie Richoux, Zak Risha
Rights
Permission to publish images from The Gray Jacket must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Format
Text
Language
English
Type
Short Story
Identifier
LD5655.V8 L4, ser.1, v.2, no.3 (October 1876), p.1-2
Coverage
Newport, Virginia
The Cascades
Mountain Lake
The Cascades
Mountain Lake
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
It was on the 5th of September that the "Corp," "Stripes," "Drum-Major," "Rat T" and "Tad," very suddenly resolved to pay a visit to that renowned place which in these parts is commonly called Salt Pond, but in more refined region known as Mountain Lake. There was great excitement displayed in the blazing countenances of that highly respectable and pleasure seeking party.
At last the whip cracked, the ribbons were pulled, and soon Kiester's hack was seen, like some winged monster, vanishing with great speed leaving far behind the cheerful streets and towering spires of that famous city Blacksburg. Nothing of interest transpired between the starting point and Newport. The scenery seemed to add new lustre to the pleasure they were seeking. Arriving at Newport, "Rat T" having impaired his health in midnight rambles in some neighboring orchard a few nights previous, deemed it expedient to enquire of the druggist there for some cough mixture which would also have the tendency to cheer up the disconsolate. He stated his intention to "Tad," who readily gave his acquiescence to the proposal and immediately set out to procure the necessaries. These having been obtained, again they were off to pleasanter climes. At last when the sun was seen sinking behind the western horizon and the beautiful clouds in the blue vaulted sky tinted with their radient hues gently kissed the mountain tops, the party reached the Lake. The Drum-Majer" gave vent to his eloquence on beholding the grandeur. Oh! said he, behold the "bawl nob." We told him it was no baby, yet he persisted that the famous place was spelt bawl nob. Finding it useless to argue to the contrary with so obstinate a personage, we dropped the subject and immedistely [sic] adjourned to the supper table where, to our horror, was seen "Stripes" (now a sergeant) earnestly engaged in wiping his mouth on the snowy table cloth, calling it a napkin (he boards in the mess). The "Major" undertook to help himself to the butter, disregarding the butter plates, thinking they were northern instruments to throw at waiters to attract their attention. "Rat T," "Corp,, [sic] and "Tad" did perfect justice to the venison steak, as the mistress undoubtedly thought and made manifest by her piercing glances at the trio. After supper all in company with ladies visited the Lake for the purpose of rowing. The Moon was gently shedding her lustre over the rippling waves, and amid such a scene I would think that there was the place for any who loves "some far off one," for just as the placid lake gave back the radient form of the moon the mind could reflect unconsciously the image of her that governs its impulse. I find that I am inadequate to the task of expressing fully to my readers' minds the grandeur there displayed, and leave it to them to picture for themselves. After all as well as myself had exhausted their vocabularies in expressing their sentiments, the party returned to the hotel where the mistress marshalled all to the chapel where prayer was offered up by Rev. A. Weller. We think the lady deserves high commendation for her religious principles, as she has it a rule for all, even the most menial servant, to attend these services. Prayer being over, we danced, sang and had a general jollification and I believe one attempted to pour into a lady's ear his humble confessions of love, but as she had some business elsewhere the poor young gent had to desist, and I fear he has not since had that courage that knows no denial to renew his piteous entreties. But we hope he has. The hour for retiring having arrived our five were appointed to one dormitory where there was great confusion until a late hour. "Tad" being very much wearied by the candle burning, hurled the "Major's" shoe at it, sending both far across the room, after which darkness prevailed and soon all were unconscious of the day's events and were dreaming of the morrow.
At four A.M. all were seen wending their way towards Bald Knob. All seemed pretty well awake except your humble servant, who had not succeeded in opening but one eye, and no doubt his going one eye on it caused much mirth to the rest. We wanted to see the sun rise but the air was so cool and bracing that all thought it better suited to their health and personal feelings to seek shelter behind some crag and while there "Sol" sneaked up without any one seeing him. Being very sorry, all started for the hotel where a very appropriate breakfast waited the hungry party. At 10 A.M. off we were for the Cascades. We called Mr. H. of B. to join us, who at the time was very busy rowing his favorite boat stern foremost to the amusement of all. Mr. H. is a scientific rower. He joined us and once more we were off. All arrived sale except "Tad" and the "Major," who thought to save ground by taking a near cut, but they soon found themselves wandering through the trackless mountains and they despaired greatly of ever getting out again. At last they reached the road without any injury except the "Major" fell and injured his knee, which after he returned was a great drawback to his attending classes. I hope it did not injure his mind. The Cascade was a very picturesque place, the water leaping over high precipices with towering mountains on either side, and altogether a lovely place. After drinking in the scenery to the heart's content, we deemed it expedient to start for home as we thought our absence would be greatly missed at College, as our furlough did not last longer. While we were at the Cascades a young lady lingering behind the rest with a gentleman friend, no doubt exchanging sentiments on such an occasion, caused her escort to exclaim, "Wait until I get her on the mountain I will make her think she is going over a cascade." No doubt he accomplished his design, for it was raining hard and he pushed forward at a rapid gait but unfortunately he got all the waterfall, as the lady was well wrapped and he without any. Our bill being settled, which was much less than expected and therefore much appreciated by some especially by the "Major" as he had but seventy-five cents, we all set out for home which in due time we reached, and were gladly received by our friends as they manifested by their kindness. We advise all old Cadets who have not been there as yet, and all new ones to visit the place as soon, as possible, as it is well worth the time it takes from your books and the small amount it costs you.
"TAD."
At last the whip cracked, the ribbons were pulled, and soon Kiester's hack was seen, like some winged monster, vanishing with great speed leaving far behind the cheerful streets and towering spires of that famous city Blacksburg. Nothing of interest transpired between the starting point and Newport. The scenery seemed to add new lustre to the pleasure they were seeking. Arriving at Newport, "Rat T" having impaired his health in midnight rambles in some neighboring orchard a few nights previous, deemed it expedient to enquire of the druggist there for some cough mixture which would also have the tendency to cheer up the disconsolate. He stated his intention to "Tad," who readily gave his acquiescence to the proposal and immediately set out to procure the necessaries. These having been obtained, again they were off to pleasanter climes. At last when the sun was seen sinking behind the western horizon and the beautiful clouds in the blue vaulted sky tinted with their radient hues gently kissed the mountain tops, the party reached the Lake. The Drum-Majer" gave vent to his eloquence on beholding the grandeur. Oh! said he, behold the "bawl nob." We told him it was no baby, yet he persisted that the famous place was spelt bawl nob. Finding it useless to argue to the contrary with so obstinate a personage, we dropped the subject and immedistely [sic] adjourned to the supper table where, to our horror, was seen "Stripes" (now a sergeant) earnestly engaged in wiping his mouth on the snowy table cloth, calling it a napkin (he boards in the mess). The "Major" undertook to help himself to the butter, disregarding the butter plates, thinking they were northern instruments to throw at waiters to attract their attention. "Rat T," "Corp,, [sic] and "Tad" did perfect justice to the venison steak, as the mistress undoubtedly thought and made manifest by her piercing glances at the trio. After supper all in company with ladies visited the Lake for the purpose of rowing. The Moon was gently shedding her lustre over the rippling waves, and amid such a scene I would think that there was the place for any who loves "some far off one," for just as the placid lake gave back the radient form of the moon the mind could reflect unconsciously the image of her that governs its impulse. I find that I am inadequate to the task of expressing fully to my readers' minds the grandeur there displayed, and leave it to them to picture for themselves. After all as well as myself had exhausted their vocabularies in expressing their sentiments, the party returned to the hotel where the mistress marshalled all to the chapel where prayer was offered up by Rev. A. Weller. We think the lady deserves high commendation for her religious principles, as she has it a rule for all, even the most menial servant, to attend these services. Prayer being over, we danced, sang and had a general jollification and I believe one attempted to pour into a lady's ear his humble confessions of love, but as she had some business elsewhere the poor young gent had to desist, and I fear he has not since had that courage that knows no denial to renew his piteous entreties. But we hope he has. The hour for retiring having arrived our five were appointed to one dormitory where there was great confusion until a late hour. "Tad" being very much wearied by the candle burning, hurled the "Major's" shoe at it, sending both far across the room, after which darkness prevailed and soon all were unconscious of the day's events and were dreaming of the morrow.
At four A.M. all were seen wending their way towards Bald Knob. All seemed pretty well awake except your humble servant, who had not succeeded in opening but one eye, and no doubt his going one eye on it caused much mirth to the rest. We wanted to see the sun rise but the air was so cool and bracing that all thought it better suited to their health and personal feelings to seek shelter behind some crag and while there "Sol" sneaked up without any one seeing him. Being very sorry, all started for the hotel where a very appropriate breakfast waited the hungry party. At 10 A.M. off we were for the Cascades. We called Mr. H. of B. to join us, who at the time was very busy rowing his favorite boat stern foremost to the amusement of all. Mr. H. is a scientific rower. He joined us and once more we were off. All arrived sale except "Tad" and the "Major," who thought to save ground by taking a near cut, but they soon found themselves wandering through the trackless mountains and they despaired greatly of ever getting out again. At last they reached the road without any injury except the "Major" fell and injured his knee, which after he returned was a great drawback to his attending classes. I hope it did not injure his mind. The Cascade was a very picturesque place, the water leaping over high precipices with towering mountains on either side, and altogether a lovely place. After drinking in the scenery to the heart's content, we deemed it expedient to start for home as we thought our absence would be greatly missed at College, as our furlough did not last longer. While we were at the Cascades a young lady lingering behind the rest with a gentleman friend, no doubt exchanging sentiments on such an occasion, caused her escort to exclaim, "Wait until I get her on the mountain I will make her think she is going over a cascade." No doubt he accomplished his design, for it was raining hard and he pushed forward at a rapid gait but unfortunately he got all the waterfall, as the lady was well wrapped and he without any. Our bill being settled, which was much less than expected and therefore much appreciated by some especially by the "Major" as he had but seventy-five cents, we all set out for home which in due time we reached, and were gladly received by our friends as they manifested by their kindness. We advise all old Cadets who have not been there as yet, and all new ones to visit the place as soon, as possible, as it is well worth the time it takes from your books and the small amount it costs you.
"TAD."