Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-06-09
M}istellaueuns &eadiug,
A VISIT TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

A couple OF nOuTS rue, over uoSL "[eLCn'
ed bride path, up and down rugged noun
tain passes, broug ht US to this charming oasis
called "Eden." The Arabs assured US this
spot was the real Garden of Eden, and judg-
ing from the intense curiosity they evinced
concerning ourselves and our traps, we had
no difficulty in believing this to be the gar
den 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
5000 feet above the level of the sea. Water
is abundant here and consequently every
thing is green and fruit is plenty. The val
ley is full of vineyards, with pomegranates and
fig trees, and olive and mulberry plantations
and over topping the whole can be 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, 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
camping ground, the news had been brought
that caravan of people from beyond the
mountains and perhaps, oh wonder from be-
yond the sea, was coming to camp in their
oasis. The news spread like wild fire among
the tribe and there was general rush for the
best places to see US come in and get Oft 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. A circus arriving in village
"out west" never created such sensation as
we did on approaching this earthly 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 Ia
dies with US were made the objects of very
popular ovation.
The green goggles, which some of my CON-
panons 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
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 helped Mrs.
E., off her horse the crowd pressed so much
on US that Hail aud his men were obliged to
drive them off and to have ropes stretched
around our camp to kee the intruders out.
Here, with plenty of elbow room, I enjoy
scene, which, indeed, is very picturesque.
When the excitement had somewhat subsi-
ded strolled out to enjoy the gorgeous sun
set The western sky was aglow with lumin.
Gus tints of orange, pink and purple. This
glory lasted but minute, and all was hush
ed in the gray tints Of evening.
Later in the evening some young men aud
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
seemed to attract their attention and admi'
ration more than any thing else, save perhaps
our watches and gloves. The gloves espe-
cially seemed to puzzle them. The Countess
took out her repeater and made it strike for
them. They seemed delighted, 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 that were
with us? l told Hail to ask these girls what
made them ask that question. They answer
ed, with giggle and shy look from their
roguish eyes, "If they are all 80 large it must
be very hard work for the poor horses to car
rv tham