Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-08-25


intoxicant obtained from Indian hemp,
thashish) were wont to meet
We paused before a gloomy-looking
mouse, entered the gate, and passed up
the steps. The windows were absolutely
dark. and the entrance-way looked dirty
and desolate Four pulls at the bell,
pause, and one more pull were followed
by few moments silence, broken sud-
denly by the sound of falling chain,
rasping bolt, and the grinding of key
in the lock. The outer door was eau
tiously opened, and at a word from my
companion we passed into the vestlbule.
The outer door was carefully closed by
some one whom could not distinguish
in the utter darkness A moment later
the inner door was opened, and never
shall ] forget the impression produced
by the sudden change from total dark
ness to the strange scene that met my
eyes. The dark vestibule was the
boundary line separating the cold, dreary
streets and the ordinary world from
scene of Oriental magnificence.
A volume of heavily scented air, close
upon the heels of which came deadly
sickening odor, wholly unlike anything
had ever smelled, greeted my nostrils.
A large lamp of grotesque shape flooded
the hall with subdued violet light that
filtered though the crenated disks of
some violet fabric >hung below it. The
walls and ceilings, If ever modern, were
no longer so, for they were shut in and
hung by festoons and plaits of heavy
cloth fresh from Eastern looms. Tas-
sells of blue, green, yellow, red and tim
sci here and there peeped forth, match
ing the curious edging of variously col
ored bead-work that bordered each fold
of drapery like huge procession of lu
minous ants, and seemed to flow in little
phosphorescent pools wherever the cloth
was caught up. Queer figures and strange
lettering, in the same work, were here
and there disclosed upon the ceiling
10th.
Along one side of the hall, between
two doors, were ranged huge tubs and
pots of majolica-like ware and blue
necked Japanese vases, in which were
plants, shrubs and flowers of the most
exquisite color and odor. Green vines
clambered up the walls and across the
! ceiling, and catching their tendrils in
the balustrades Of the stairs (Which were
also of curious design, threw down long
sprays and heavy festoons of verdure.
As my companion, who had paused a
moment to give me time to look about
me, walked toward the far end of the
hall, followed him, and passed into a
small room on the right, where, with the
assistance of colored servant, we ex-
changed our coats, hats and shoes for
others more in keeping with our sur
roundings. First a long plush gown,
quilted with silk down the front, and ir-
regularly ornamented in bead and braid
with designs Of serpents, flowers,
crescents, and stars, was slipped on over
the head. Next tasselled smoking-cap
was donned, and the feet incased in noise
less list slippers. In any other place or
under any other circumstances / should
have felt ridiculous In this costume, but
50 in Keeping was it with all had seen,
and so thoroughly had / seemed to have
left my everyday self in the dark vesti-
bule, that felt perfectly at home in my
strange dress. We next crossed the hall
to a smaller room, where young man,
apparently a Frenchman, furnished us,
on the payment of two dollars each, with
two small pipes and small covered
bronze cup, or urn, filled with dry
green shrub, which subsequently learned
was gunjeh (the dried tops and leaves of
the hemp plant, for smoking. NV
friend, on the payment of further sum,
obtained curious little box which CON
tanned some small black lozenges, CON
sisting of the resin of hemp, henbane,
crushed datura seeds, butter and honey,
and known in India as Maioon, amongst
the Moors as FL Mogen.
Passing from this room we assembled
the richly carpeted stairs, enarbored by
vines, and paused upon a landing from
which three doors opened. Upon one a
pink card bore Dryden's line,
Take the good the gods provide thee"
The knob turned by my friends hand
allowed the door to swing open, and,
welcomed by spice breeze from India.
we were truly in paradise.
This" he said, in a whisper. lis the
public room, where any one having pipe
or lozenge, and properly attired, may
enter and indulge cat, smoke or dream,
as best suits him. .
Wonder, amazement. admiration. but
1aintly portray my mental condition.
Prepared by what had already seen and
experienced for something odd and ORR
entail, still the magnificence Of what now
met my gaze far surpassed anything |
/ had ever dreamed Of, and brought to nv
mind the scenes of the Arabian Nights. =
forgotten since boyhood until now. Nv
every sense was irresistibly taken captive
and II uraq Soma xxorno,,4e l.<.f<.~x -.<.4x 4