Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-12-05
Wonders of the Fair.

Two Of the more peculiar features of
the Paris Exposition are thus described
by a writer in st. Nicholas:
The wreck of ship is SO ariunged
that it extends from before our feet
into the ocean depths which are separ-
ated from us by sheets of glass. This
wreck is one which was raised from
the harbor of Cherbourg and recon-
structed here. Fish swan contentedly
in and out among the cordage and
broken spars; crabs patiently crawl
up the sides of the sunken hull and ex-
plore the mysteries Of port holes. But
these inhabitants of the ocean do not
constitute the chief attractions. Far in
dim, shadowed recesses may be seen,
disporting themselves, those water
sirens or sea-faiIes whose undulating
dances below the waves, legend tells us,
cause the disturbances of the surface
so menacing to mariners. Gliding,
twisting, and bending, they rise and
fall while a weird music fills the air,
as of ripping waves swelling to surg
ing tempests and resounding through
deep-sea caverns. In another compart-
ment, the tranquil fish are startled by
the swift appearance of two pearl
divers or fishers for coral and sponges,
who, holding heir BREATH or letting
it slowly escape in silver bubbles
which rise upward tread the sea-bot-
tom in search of treasures.
There are times when we long for
nature pure and simple, and then it is
that the Exposition visitor hastens joy
fully toward the Swiss village. Out
from the hurry and hustle, the glitter
and confusion of brilliant Paris and the
dazzling splendors of the Exposition,
in moments time we may step into
the peace and quiet of a pastoral vii
lage set in the hollow of an Alpine
valley. Mountains tower above US.
Part way up their sides stretch grassy
pasture-slopes. On high, distant
rocky ledge clusters a group of rude
homes of band of mountaineers, with
a tiny chapel in the midst. From an
other lofty height u mountain stream
ing n bit to lend its aid to the water
wheel of a mill below, gurgles and
prattles over the stones beyond, and
finally goes whispering between grassy
banks bordered with wild flowers till
it reaches Il placid lake on whose fur
ther bank protected by an overhanging
crag, stands the chapel OF William Tell.
The houses and shops, with their pro-
iectiug eaNes, carved balconies and
doorways, and curiously shingled roofs,
are wonderfully executed copies of real
ones. In another part Of the village
is group of mountain huts, brought
from Switzerland and reconstructed,
timber by timber, some with thickly
matched roofs, others covered with
overlapping stone slabs, while there
are still others whose shingled roofs
weighted down by timbers and stones
suggest to us something of the violence
of the mountain storms.
Not detail of the village has been
neglected nor of the natural scenery.
All along the side of the brook grow
tnt hOWeIS anu pliinlS VI pNllHtllaIu
the blue and white Alpine violets,
the mountain pink, clothing in bright
dress rough patches of rock, the edel-
weiss, low purple asters, and masses
of the Alpine rose. The wild poppy
brightens the landscape with its orange
and gold, and in sheltered spots below
the dripping waterfall ferns peep forth.
An opening in the side of the noun
tain invites us to explore within. Ad-
vancing through a rocky passage, we
seem to come out upon some upper
height, with view of the majestic
Alps spread before us. Sunllt valley,
wooded mountain-side, distant, spark
ling lake, and towering, snow-clad
peaks are there. 1t is only panorama,
but so well and artlstically painted
that we come away with the sense of
having been for brief half-hour really
among the mountains.