The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-28
A Visit to tho Garden or Eden.

A couple of hours ride over q most
wretched birdie path, up and do wn rugged
mountain passes, brought us to this charm
rng oasis called tEdcn." The Arabs as.
surcd us this spot was the real Garden of
Eden and Judging from the intense curl
osity they cvinced concerning ourselves
and our traps, we had no difficulty in be.
llcYing this to be the garden where our
first mother Eve dwclt 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. Water is
abundant here and consequently every
thing is green and fruit is plenty. The
valley is full of vineyards, with pomcgran-
ates and fig trees, and olive and mulberry
plantations, and ovcr-topplng the whole
can bc seen some immense walnut trees
that look as old as the world.
AS am writing these lines sitting on
camp-stool in front Of my tent l can see
the. whole population of Eden collected
round our camp staring at us. Young
and old, men women and children are
pressing forward to have 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 campaign
ground the news had been brought that
caravan Of people from beyond the noun
talns and perhaps, oh wonder! from be.
yond tho 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 hest places to sec us come in
and get of our horses. The women left
on their work III the fields, the men left off
playing on the recd-pipcs and The chill
dren lett of crying TO see us coming.
a circus arriving III village "out
West" never created such sensation as
we did Oh approaching this earthly para.
disc. AS we filed past through this aisle of
human beings, we were greeted with shouts
ana mock sautations. The women gig
glcd, the men smiled, the children roarcd
at the queer figure we cut in our European
costumes. Two ladies' with us were INA ic
'he objects of very popular oya ion.
The green goggles which some OF my
companions wore seemed to raj sc the en-.
thusiasm 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 enjoy the treat.
Meantime my friends, gu tc unconscious
OF their great popularity, did not know
what to make OF all this crowd. But as
we drew near the tents and | helped Mrs.
g., oil her horse, the crowd pressed 50
much Oh us that HALL and his men were
obliged TO drive them of and to hav. ropes
stretched around our camp to keep the
intrudcrs out.
llerc with plenty Of elbow room enjoy
the scene, which indeed, IS very piclur-
esquc. When the excitement had some
what subsidized strollcd out to chi " the
gorgeous sunset. The western SKY was
aglow with luminous tints of orange pink
:-"s purple. This glory lasted but min
ciYseening. 50" '''"' h''sh"d !" H." .'""" ';"'""f
Later in the evening some young men
and young women were admitted in our
dining-r0om tent. These AraD women
were dying with curiosity t. see and ham
die the clothes and trinkcts OF our lady
friends. Velvet, seemed to attract their
attention and admiration more ,hun any
Lhing else, save perhaps our watches and
gloves. The gloves especially seemed to
puzzle them. The Countess took out her
repeater and made it strike for them. They
seemed delighted, just rs little children
would he with tho sound Of the tiny bell.
Some OF these pretty Arab girls asked me,
through our dragOman, it all the ladies in
our country were like the two that were
with us2 | told Ilalil to ask these girls
what made them ask that question. Tncy
answered with q giggie and Il shy look
from their roguish eyes, ''lf they are MI 50
large 1t must be very hard work for the
poor horses to carry them"