Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-07-31

nom winch the threads are Delng
unwound form the outer circle of the
wheel. The woman throws these spools
about her with flying fingers, in and out,
over and under each other, and so fast
that you can hardly follow the evolutions
with your eyes. In the chaos and confus-
ion of skipping spools, you wonder how
she can possibly pick up the right one
every time, and especially how she can 60
ON gossiping with her friends all the time,
and yet never seem to miss stitch. The
making were very dainty and delicate in
texture, and very beautiful in design.
Most of the shops in Ostend seemed de-
voted to the sale of sea shells. All sorts
of figures of men and women were made
of shells; one sort was composed of gro
tesque and ingenious combinations of lob
ster claws in the human form. And they
had other figures made Of stuffed frogs
some fencing, some barbering each other
and some were not to be described at all
without indecent language. 1t must re-
quirc barbarian nature to be able to find
humor in such nauscating horrors as these
latter. These things were exposed in the
public windows where young girls and
little children could see them, and in the
shops sat the usual hairy-lipped young
woman, waiting to sell them.
apparently change of air did not affect
Marks dislike of early rising, for he
speaks most ungratefully of the energetic
German walters, who refused to allow him
little more slumberl
1t was an excellent hotel; the utmost
care was taken that everything should go
right | went to bed at ten and was called
at eleven, to "take the early train" | said
i was not the one, so the servant stirred
up the next door and he was not the one
then the next door and the next--no sue
cess-and so on till the reverberations of
the knocking were lost in the distance
down the hall, and / fell asleep again.
They called me at twelve to take another
early train, but l said ] was not the one
again, and asked as favor that they
would be particular to call the rest next
time, but never mind me. However, they
could not understand my English; they
only said something in reply to signify
that, and then went on banging up the
boarders, none of whom desired to take
the early train.
When they called me at one, it made
my rest seem very broken, and | said if
| they would skip me at two would call
myself-not really intending to do it, but
hoping to beguile the porter and deceive
him. He probably suspected that, and
was afraid to trust me, because, when he
made his rounds at that hour he did not
| take any chances on me, but routed me
out with the others. ! got some more
sleep after that, but when the porter called
me at three felt depressed and jaded and
| greatly discouraged. So | gave it up and
| dressed myself The porter gave me IA
| cup of coffee, and kept me awake while /
drank it, He was a good, well-meaning
sort of Founder, but really drawback
to the hotel, should think.
Poor Mr.. Blank came in then, looking
worn and old. He had been called for in
| all the different trains too, just as / had.
| He said it was q good enough hotel, but
they took too much pains. While We sat
| there talking we fell asleep and were
called again at four Then we went out
| and dozed about town till six, and then
| drifted aboard the Lively
The Shah did not profoundly impress
| Mr.. Twain's republican soul, as is thus
described]:
He was n handsome, strong. featured
man, with rather European fairness OF
| complexion; had moustache, wore spec
| tacles, seemed Of a good height and grace
| full build and carriage and looked about
| forty or shade less He was very sim
ply dressed-brimlcss stovepipe and close
buttoned dark green military suit, without
ornament. Not wholly without ornament
for he had band two inches wide worn
over his shoulder and down across his
breast, scarf fashion, which band was one
solid glory of fine diamonds.
IL is pleasant to know that the United
States was not surpassed by England de-
ference to Persia, but the spirit in which
it was rendered is doubtful. This is
Twain's description of his conductl
The Shah walked back alongside his
fine cabin, looking at the assemblage of
silent, solemn Founders; the cOrrcspon-
dent Of the London Telegraph was hurry
ing along the pier and took off his hat
and bowed to the king of Kings" and
the King Of Kings gave polite military
salute in return. This was the commence
ment Of the excitement The success Of
the breathless telegraph man made all the
other London correspondents mad, every
man of whom tlourished his stovepipe
recklcssly and cheered Justify, some of the
more enthusiastic varying the exercise by
lowering their heads and elevating their
coat.tails Seeing all this, and feeling
that If | was to empress the Shah" at
all, now was my time, ventured little
squeaky yell, quite distinct from the
other shouts, but just rs hearty. His
shah-ship heard and saw and saluted me
in manner that was, l considered, an &C
acknowledgement Of my superior impor.
lance. do not know that ! ever felt so
ostentatious and absurd before. All the
correspondents came aboard, and then the
Persian baggage came also, and was car.
RED across to the ship alongside of ours.
When she could hold no more we took
somewhere about a hundred trunks and
boxes on board our vessel. Two boxes
fell into the water, and several sailors
jumped in and saved one, but the other
was lost. However, it probably contain
ed nothing but few hundred pounds Of
diamonds and things.