The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1890-12-12
AT THE TOMB OF THE FIRST WOMAN.
visit to the Grave Of the Mother of the
Human Race.

1t is not very often that an American
visits the little town of Jiddah, on the
Arabian coast of the Red Sea; yet.
every year, as the sacred season of the
Hediaz comes around hundreds of
thousands of deycnt Mussulmans are
disem barked at its little harbor. intent
on making pilgrimage to Mecca.
which insures to them the happiness
and honor of paradise. Ii was not
with any intention of attempting to
visit the tomb of Molaammed and to
gaze on the mysterious -.Kaabar that
| took sail one moonIit night from
Suakim. and crossed the turbulent Red
Sea to Jiddah. Ny object was to visit
the shrine of one venerated BIZ Chris
tian and Islanite alike-the reputed
tomb of Eve, mother OF all maEkind.
writes correspondent of the n T.
| Herald
| The country presents a very sterile
| appearance. there being but little vege-
tation. A few date palms are dotted
about and away to the west. in the di-
rection of Mecca. groups of stunted
acacia trees render the prospect
less barren. The approach 10 the
tomb is up sandy slope. rising about
| 200 feet above the town. The grave
itself is 100 feet long and feet wide.
aud is surrounded By stone wall 4 feet
high. covered with chunan. In the
center of it rises a small dome-crowned
mosque. wherein pilgrims assemble to
say their prayers. The mosque is in
| charge of some defsisiies, who have
| plenty To do in keeping il clear of beg
| gars who assemble and clamor for
4 bscksheeSh-
| Inside the mosque is perfectly plain.
except that in the center is erected au
| altar. This stands about three feet
| high and Is covered with curtains The
curtains being drawn aside disclosed a
black stone let into The floor.
The stone i supposed To lie direc:ly
| over the tomb of Eye. and Is polished
like marble by the kisses of the faith
fui. Ii il by no means permitted to
every pilgrim to place his lips on the
sacred spot, hut bY II liberal amount OF
backsheesh ausl the presence of the
consular ! was permitted the honor.
atisi accordingly the curtain was draw n,
aud on hands and knees paid homage
to nar Legendary snofher
Tie stone ilich j. treated with SC
much honor i 4 very eufions one. evi
IDENTITY rieteoric. aud IS supposed. like
the k:,aBa al Mecca To have beer
Sll.rtat4k sent .inNu from deafen Iol
its present use
| had Il long cilat ith the chief Gus
todi:sn al tie tumh who told me tha
tie Office had ipeen in the family fo
generations. He said tirat the mos
regular visitors To the shrine are tn,
Bessonins. who. in their yearly wander
ings through tie Arabian desert. rare
II fail TO visit Ewes tomb. | askes
him il there WAS any legend as to VIII
Eve WAS supposed to l,e buried there
but he knew noHe. and asked: "Wher
else would she be buried except ol
| this sacred soiia''
1t is certainly curious that legendar.
lore should select spots so distant from
each other for the graves of our frs
| parents While Eve rests on the shore
! of the Red Sea, Adam is popularity sup
posed to lie buried under the forest
) clad slopes of Adams Peak in Ceylon
l On my walk back to Jiddah askel
my companions if they supposed tn
grave represented the stature of Eve
] and they said SURELY