The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-06-24

with deep interest. FROM the head OF
the main street, Castle avenue, they
could plainly see the royal palace, near
! ly 4 mile away. It's towers and tur-
rets, gray and gaunt, ran up among the
green trcctorS and We're outlined plain
ly against the yellow hills. Countless
; houses studded the steep mountain
slope. and many people were diScerned
walking and riding along the narrow,
lcdgcIikc streets which wound toward
| the summit, far up in the clouds. Clear
I " and distinctly could be seen the grim
monastery, pcrched ct the very pima
Gle Of the mountain, several miles
| away. Up there it looked bleak and
cold and uninviting, in great contrast
to the lovelincss and warmth Of the
valley. Down below the grass was
moist and soft. trees were approaching
the snge where yellow and red tints
mingle with the rich green, flowers
were blooming, the land was redolent
Of the sweet fragrance Of autumn, the
atmosphere warm. clear and invigorat-
Ing. 1t was paradise surmounted by
dcsolation, drear and deadening.
Wherever the tall. distinguished
Americans walked they formed the
center OF observation and were the
cause Of comment that bore unmistaka-
Bile signs of admiration. They bowed
pleasantly to many Of those who passed
them and received in return gracious
and profound recognition. Military men
saluted courteously, the women stared
modestly and prettily, perhaps covet-
ous!v: the merchants and citizens IN
general bowed and smiled 4 welcome
that could not have been hearticr. Ihe
| strangers remarked tie absence OF We
hicles on the main streets. There were
rack mules and horses, human carriers,
both male and female, but during the
entire morning they saw not more than
six or eight carriages. Vehicles were
used solely by the quality and as
means Of transportation for their per-
sons only. Everybody, with the few
exceptions mentioned, walked or rode
horseback. The two friends were de-
lighted with the place, and Anguish ad-
vocated sojourn Of several weeks,
even though they did not find the GuS-
genslockers, his object being to secure
photographs and sketches of the pic
turesque people and the strange seen
cry and to idle away some hours upon
the gIittering boulevards. Grenfall,
since be was in the project so deeply,
was so nearly reconciled as to be cxhil-
arated by the plan. They decided to
visit the royal grounds in the after
neon, provided there was no prohibi-
ton, reserving a ride up the hill for the
next day. y gendarme who spoke Ger
man fairly we'll told them that they
could enter the palace park if they OBJ
tanned a signed order from the chief
steward, who might be found at any
time In his home near the gates.
They were strolling leisurely toward
the hotel, for the moment forgetting
their quest in this strange, sunny land,
when they espied carriage, the most
conspicuous Of any they had seen.
The white horses were gayly capari-
soncd, the driver and the footman be-
side him wore rich uniforms, the We
hicle itself cleaned and glistened with
gold and silver trimmings. y short
distance behind rode two young SOL
diers, swords to their shoulders, scab-
bards clanking against their stirrups.
Each was attired in the tight red trou-
sers, shiny boots, close fitting black
coat with gilt trimmings and the red
cap which the Americans had noted
before because Of it's brilliancy. Pee.
pie along the street We're bowling deep
ly to the occupants, two ladies.
Harry! Look" exclaimed Lorry,
clutcbing his friends arm like a wise.