The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-12-07
A Visit to the Garden Of Eden.
Chicago Alliance.

A couple OF nOurS rl0e over WOSl
wretched bride path, up and down rug
ged mountain passes, brought US to this
charm oasis called ''Ehden " The Arabs
assured US this spot was the real Garden
of Eden, and judging from the intense
curiosity they evinced concerning our
selves and our traps, we had no diff1cul.
ty in believing this to he the garden
where our first mother Eve dwelt ere
she grew too fond of apples.
This Eden is situated in pretty little
valley in the heart Of the mountains, at
an elevation of some 500 feet above the
level of the sea Water is abundan,
here, and consequently everything is
green, and fruit is plenty. The valley
is full of vineyards, with pomegranates
and fig trees, and olive and mulberry
plantations. and .r-.t,epiug the Whole
can he seen some immense walnut trees
1---~rooKHs 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 Ehden col
lected round our camp staring us in the
face. Young and old, men, 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 caravan of peo-
pie 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 a general rush
for the best places to see US come in
and get off our horses. The women
left their work in the fields, the men left
off playing on the reed-pipes, and the
children left off crying to see US COM
ing Barnum's circus arriving in will
age "out West never created such a
sensation as we did on approaching this
earthly paradise. As we filed past 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 we're made the objects of
a very popular ovation.
The green goggles which some of my
companions wore seemed to raise the
enthusiasm of the crowd to its highest
pitch, and many swarthy finger was
rsised from among these Arabs, point
ing 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 great
popularity, did not know what to make
of all this crowd. But as we drew near
the tents and I helped Mrs. E. off her
horse. the crowd pressed so much on Us
that HALL and his men were obliged to
drive them off, and to have ropes
around our camp to keep the
intruders out.
Here, with plenty of elbow room, l
enjoy the scene which, indeed, is very
When the excitement had
somewhat subsidized stroled out to en-
joy the gorgeous sunset. The Western
sky was aglow with luminous tints of
orange, pink and purple. This glory
lasted but moment. and all was hush
ed in the gray tints of evening.
Later in the evening some young men
and young women were admitted to our
dining-room tent. These Arab women
we're dying with curiosity to see and
handle the clothes and trinkets of our
|ady friends. Velvet seemed to attract
their attention and admiration more
than anything else, save perhaps our
watches and gloves. The gloves espe-
cialIy seemed to puzzle them. The
Countess took out her repeater and
made it strike for them. They seemed
just as little children would
be, with the sound OF the tiny bell =
Some of these pretty Arab girls asked
me, through our dragoman, if all the
ladies in our country were like the two
with usr / told Hail to ask these girls
what made them ask that question -
They answered with giggle and shy
look from their roguish eyes: "If they
are all so large it must be very hard
work for the poor horses to carry them"