A Ramble
Dublin Core
Title
A Ramble
Creator
One of the Party
Source
http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1
Publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Date
April 1877
Contributor
Jenna Zan, Josh Dobbs
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.6 (April 1877), p.1-2
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
A day's rambling in the woods; who does not enjoy it? I know there are some who profess to look down in lofty disdain on any such childish amusement; but I know that in their heart of hearts there is nothing they like better; provided they have a glorious day, pleasant companions and nice woods; all of which we had on October 26th, 1876. But if we do not soon start on our travels I am afraid you will hear very little of them.
It is sufficient for the present to say that there were twelve of us, six boys and six girls, possessed of the usual amount of fun and good spirits alloted that number of young people.
We started, the girls to do the talking and the boys to carry the baskets, which, as they generally have a very keen appreciation of, the contents of said baskets, I think a very fair division.
After a very pleasant, but sunny walk, for Mr. B. in his efforts to make our small parasol shade two not very small people succeeded in making it do very well for neither, we arrived at the head of a lovely ravine, appropriately named "Lover's Retreat," through the centre of which, bubbling and purling over moss and stones, gleaming out here, nearly lost there, flowed gently sweet "Afton."
Mr. B. and myself, being somewhat venturesome, followed the stream down its bed, scrambling over rocks and now and then getting a wet foot, which of course was nothing of consequence. Being a little in advance of the the rest of the party, we reached first the crowning point of the stream, where "Sweet Afton" makes a magnificent fall over a lover's leap just two feet high. Here let me pause to say, I have never yet stood on the top of any of the numerous "Lover's Leaps." I have seen them without feeling the most anxious desire to precipitate myself down them. This time my desire was gratified in the most unwished for, and not at all remote manner. I suddenly found myself at the bottom, reclining most ungracefully in a deliciously cool puddle of water. I arose though none the worse for it, except wet cuffs and dress and a handsome black bruise on my arm. I had the poor satisfaction of seeing Mr. O. come down in nearly the some way, so I felt somewhat comforted.
We all sped merrily on together with no more serious mishaps until we arrived at the "Bridge of Sighs," alarge log covered with beautiful moss, which forms a most ideal "Bridge of Sighs" spanning "Sweet Afton." "Think of it, picture it now if you can," it was perfectly charming to sit on the bridge dangling our feet and gazing triumphantly down on our placid little stream. As our lovely soft-eyed L. and Mr. H. were the only ones who seemed in a sighing frame of mind, the others strayed off in couples and left them in sole possession of the bridge. But before we went, Oh! poor unfortunate me, I threw Mr. B's. cap away; fortunately it did not go in the water. While he was gone to get it, I thought I would run away, but, of course, caught on a bush, ripped my over dress half up the back and tore the fring off of it; so he had ample revenge.
After that we rambled, scrambled and climed 'til warned by the faint sound of the distant college drum that it was getting late, we descended to our quiet ravine again, called together the rest of the party, and partook of a delicious lunch, seated in state on thrones of rock cushioned with dried leaves. Upon finishing our lunch we packed up and started for home, which we reached safely and in good time, tired, but happy. Whoever thinks we did not enjoy ourselves does not know what enjoyment is.
It is sufficient for the present to say that there were twelve of us, six boys and six girls, possessed of the usual amount of fun and good spirits alloted that number of young people.
We started, the girls to do the talking and the boys to carry the baskets, which, as they generally have a very keen appreciation of, the contents of said baskets, I think a very fair division.
After a very pleasant, but sunny walk, for Mr. B. in his efforts to make our small parasol shade two not very small people succeeded in making it do very well for neither, we arrived at the head of a lovely ravine, appropriately named "Lover's Retreat," through the centre of which, bubbling and purling over moss and stones, gleaming out here, nearly lost there, flowed gently sweet "Afton."
Mr. B. and myself, being somewhat venturesome, followed the stream down its bed, scrambling over rocks and now and then getting a wet foot, which of course was nothing of consequence. Being a little in advance of the the rest of the party, we reached first the crowning point of the stream, where "Sweet Afton" makes a magnificent fall over a lover's leap just two feet high. Here let me pause to say, I have never yet stood on the top of any of the numerous "Lover's Leaps." I have seen them without feeling the most anxious desire to precipitate myself down them. This time my desire was gratified in the most unwished for, and not at all remote manner. I suddenly found myself at the bottom, reclining most ungracefully in a deliciously cool puddle of water. I arose though none the worse for it, except wet cuffs and dress and a handsome black bruise on my arm. I had the poor satisfaction of seeing Mr. O. come down in nearly the some way, so I felt somewhat comforted.
We all sped merrily on together with no more serious mishaps until we arrived at the "Bridge of Sighs," alarge log covered with beautiful moss, which forms a most ideal "Bridge of Sighs" spanning "Sweet Afton." "Think of it, picture it now if you can," it was perfectly charming to sit on the bridge dangling our feet and gazing triumphantly down on our placid little stream. As our lovely soft-eyed L. and Mr. H. were the only ones who seemed in a sighing frame of mind, the others strayed off in couples and left them in sole possession of the bridge. But before we went, Oh! poor unfortunate me, I threw Mr. B's. cap away; fortunately it did not go in the water. While he was gone to get it, I thought I would run away, but, of course, caught on a bush, ripped my over dress half up the back and tore the fring off of it; so he had ample revenge.
After that we rambled, scrambled and climed 'til warned by the faint sound of the distant college drum that it was getting late, we descended to our quiet ravine again, called together the rest of the party, and partook of a delicious lunch, seated in state on thrones of rock cushioned with dried leaves. Upon finishing our lunch we packed up and started for home, which we reached safely and in good time, tired, but happy. Whoever thinks we did not enjoy ourselves does not know what enjoyment is.