The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-12-30

A couple of hours ride over a most wretehed
bride path. mp and down rugged mountain
passes, brought us to this charming oasis called
Eden" The Arabs assured US this was the real
Garden of Eden, and Judging from the intense
curiosity they eyinced concerning ourselves and
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 apples.
This Eden is situated in a pretty little valley,
in the heart of the mountains, at an elevation of
some 1000 feet above the level of the sea. Wa
ter is abundant here. and consequently every
thing is green and fruit is plenty. The valley is
full Ct vineyards, with pomegranate aud fig
trees and olive and mnlherry; overlapping the
wlrle can be seen some immense walnut trees
that look as old as the world.
As am writing these lines. sitting on a camp
stool in front of my tent, can see the whole
population of Eden collected round our camp
staring at Young ard old, men, women and
children, are pressing forward TO have n good
look at US; and some of these wild children of
Eve have climbed up the trees TO have the luxury
of a birds eye view of our camp. Long before
we reached our camping ground, the news had
been brought that caravan of people beyond
the mountains, and, perhaps, oh, wonder, be-
yond the sea, was coming TO camp in their oasis
The news spread like wild-fre among the tribe,
aud there was a general rush for the best places
to see us come III and get off our horses The
women left of their work in the fields, the
men left of playing on the reed pipes, and the
children left off crying to coming. Bar
MINIS eircus arriving in the village ''out west"
never created such a sensation as we did on ap-
preaching this earthly paradise. As we filed
past through the aisle Of human beings. wewere
greeted with shouts and mock salutations. The
women giggled, the men smiled, the children
reared at the queer figure cut in our Euro
pean costumes Two ladies with us We're made
the objects of very popular ovation.
The green goggles which some Of my COM
panons wore seemed TO raise the enthusiasm of
the crowd to the highest pitch, and many a
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 enjoy the
treat. Meantime my friends, quite unconscious
of their popularity, did not know what TO make
of all this crowd. But as drew near the
tents and | helped Mrs. L. off her horse, the
crowd pressed much on us that Hail and his
men were Obliged TO drive them off, and to have
ropes stretched around our camp to keep the in
truders out.
Here, with plenty of elbow room, enjoy the
scene, which, indeed, syery picturesque. When
the excitement had somewhat subsidized, Istrolled
out to enjoy the gorgeous sunset. The western
sky was aglow with luminous tints of orange,
pink and purple. This glory lasted but a min
ute, and all was hushed i'll gray tints of evening
Later in the evening, some young men and
young women were admitted in our dlning-room
tent. These Arab women were dying with
curiosity to and handle the clothes and
tTinkets Of our lady friends. Velvet seemed to
attract their attention and admiration more than
anything else, except onr watches and gloves.
The gloves especially seemed TO puzzle them
The Countess took out her repeater and made it
strike for them. They seemed to be de-
lighted, just as little children would be, with
the sound of tiny bell. Some ofthese pretty
Arab girls asked me, through our dragoman, if
all the ladies in our country were like the two
that were with usi l told Hall TO ask these
girls what made them ask that question. They
answered with a gissle and shy look from
their roguish eyes, ''lf they are all SO large, it
must be n very hard work for the poor horses to
carry them."-Cor Chicago IlhdRcr.