The Portland daily press., 1880-11-12
The Garden of Eden.
An American Tourists Visit to the Ara
bian Arcadia.

[Chas. H. Addison in Chicago Alliance.]
A couple of hours ride over most wretched
bride path, up and down rugged mountain
passes, brought us to this charming oasis called
"Ehden." The $rabs assured US this spot was
the real Garden of Eden, and judging from the
intense curiosity they evinced concerning our
selves ana our traps, we had no difficulty in
believing this to be the garden where our first
mother Eve dwelt ere she grew too fond Of ap
pies.
This Eden is situated in pretty little valley
in the heart of the mountains, at an elevation
of some 5000 feet above the level of the sea.
Water is abundant here, and consequently
everything is green and fruit is plenty. The
valley it full of vineyards with pomegranates
and fig trees, and overtopping the whole can
as old as the world
AS l am writing these lines, sitting on a
camp stool in front of my tent, can see the
whole population of Ehden collected round our
camp staring at us. Young and old, men and
women and children, are pressing forward to
have a good look at us; and some of these wild
children of Eve have climbed up the trees to
have the luxury of birds eye view of our
camp. Long before we reached our camping
ground the news had been brought that cara
van of people from beyond the mountains, and
perhaps, oh wonder! from beyond the sea, was
coming to camp in their oasis. The news
spread like wild fire among the tribe, and
there was general rush to see us come in and
get off our horses. The women left off their
work in the fields the men left off playing on
the reed-pipes and the children left off crying
to see us coming. Barnum's circus arriving
in village "out West never created such a
sensation as we did on approaching this earth
ly paradise. As we filed past through this
aisle of human beings, we were greeted with
shouts and mock salutations The women
giggled. the men smiled, the children roared
at the queer figure We cut in our European
costumes Two ladies with us were made the
objects of very popular ovation.
The green goggles which some OF my COM
panions wore seemed to raise the enthusiasm
of the crowd to its highest pitch, and many
swarthy finger was raised from among those
Arabs, pointing to these green goggles while
the women called to each other and raised
their children in their arms to make them en-
joy the treat. Meantime my friends, quite
unconscious of their great popularity, did not
know what to make of all this crowd. But as
we drew near the tents and l helped Mrs. K.
off her horse, the crowd pressed us SO much
that Halli and his men were obliged to dreve
them off, and to have ropes stretched around
our camp to keep the intruders off.
Here with plenty of elbow room enjoy the
scene which, indeed, is very picturesque.
When the excitement had somewhat subsided,
strolled out to enjoy the gorgeous sunset.
The western sky was aglow with luminous
tints of orange, pink and purple. This glory
lasted but minute, and all was hushed in the
gray tints OF evening.
Later in the evening some young men and
young women were admitted in our dining
room tent. These Arab women were dying
with curiosity to see and handle the clothes
and trinkets of our lady friends. Velvet