Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-08-07

richly Snaueu, anu Soltcuou oo tho' w
hardly knew them. Over to the left
outlined straight up against the sky
stood the Tower, as a sentinel over
sleeping Paris.
We rode for some time through the
lovely park; then with turn to the
right we crossed low stone bridge
and whirled into the little town OF
Surenses. 1t was still asleep. A few
blue bloused workmen walked slowly
through the streets, humming perhaps
a French ditty, while from the win
dows of dingy cafe there streamed a
yellow light that truly signaled the
fast approaching morning, for over
there early rising is not characteris-
tic of the people. Up the long wind
ing hill we toiled until at last we
gained the plateau above. One glance
over the shoulder the tardy sun,
red as from night of dissipation, was
just rising, throwing flashing CLEANS
across the beautiful city. Black Mont
martre, standing grimly over there to
the left, with the Sacred Heart out
lined white and brave against its dark
masses. Napoleon's tomb, it's gilded
dome glowing in the morning sun
beams Towers and spires stretching
up to the heavens like fingers to grasp
still more of celestial beauty to adorn
the lovely paradise beneath.
1t was but fleeting glance-on we
went. Down as 'twiXt two waves we
crossed the valley and rested high up
in st. Germaine. The old chateau, in
which in days of old the Kings of
France were wont to come and spend
their summers, seemed looking down
with kindly smile at this invasion of
ing streets of the village and out of
the iron gates we rode, until straight
before us stretched the road to Nantes
And then we saw some bits from Ma
ture's wondrous gallery of arts, in
which were harmoniously mingled
some dainty works of mans creation.
| Lovely bits they were. White chateaux
nestled in the hillsides, peeping
| through leafy wreaths of green.
Grand old estates, stretching through
woodland and meadow, lily guarded
now by ruined walls of stone. Tiny
lakes, snugly sconced in shaded val
leys, and now and then a peasants
hut with thatched roof and oaken
door. Perhaps
I'm days of old.
When knights were bold"
these valleys and mountain tops saw
deeds that rang of fame and lady love.
Our mood grew quite romantic, but
soon hill of endless length anl
mathing steepness sat astride our
path and all our romance fed.
1t was nine o'clock when we rode
into the town of Nantes. The crier,
with changing bell strolled through
the village streets, shouting forth his
news in lusty tones. Thoughts of
breakfast were now uppermost in our
minds, so we straightway sought out
little inn where a jolly host and a
good meal soon made us ready to
start out once more.
France is q most perfect country
for cycling. The grand national roads
are kept in good condition the year
around at government expense. The
scenery is extremely picturesque, and
dotted thickly with spots of historical
interest The memory of the ride
through Narmandy that day is like
that of long panorama, rich in
scenes varied and beautiful. One of
these was especially interesting. A
cross road, far back, had sent us
astray. After several miles of useless
wandering we were once more spin
ming in the direction of Rouen. Night
had just come on and the air was cool
and pleasant. The road wound in and
out at the foot of series of sandstone
cliffs, over which the moons joyial
face was brightly shining, shedding
a mellow radiance throughout the val
ley. And in these cliffs were followed
innumerable caves. some with great
gloomy entrances presenting a most
forbidding aspect while others here
and there were stopped by a frontage
OF boards, moss grown and brown
with age. Lights cleaned, now and
then from these wretched places, tell
ing that some of them were known by
the name Of home.
That night we reached Rouen. the
ancient capital of Normandy, having
covered according to our route an
hundred and thirty miles. We we're
tired, so abandoned sight seeing and
sought .-e solace of bed. 1t was our
plan to visit Rouen on our return, so
the next day about nine, we were
again on our way
Rain had fallen heavily during the
night, and the roads were somewhat