Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20
.,s.<a6z!e {;
,;s9ssSS>C0nductor
ANYTsSN.mSasMN\ ~ By
c.N.& A.M:WHLIAMSON

Contes Drolatiques. So extraordinary is
the apparitien of this ancient. silent, forti-
ned city existing in the midst of the rail
way epoch that one is tempted to think it
a mirage, some strange trick of the senses.
which, on rubbing the eyes, must dsap-
pear. And the nearer one draws, the more
vivid does this impression become. Every
thing perfect marvelously perfect. yet with
no Earring hint of newneSs. 1t is well-nigh
impossible at any time to tell where the
original structure ends and where Violet lie
Dues restoration begins and on what
grand scale 1t all is.
By moonlight the effect was really glori-
Gus. My goddess and / walked over
drawbridge and entered the silent, grass
grown streets of the old, old city, where
quaint and ancient houses, gwen up now to
the poor huddle under the protecting walls
of the great fortress. We were in a perfect
medieval city,. just as 1t existed in the
time of the Crusades In thus exactly re
alizing the life of a garrisoned fortress of
those stirring days, l found much the same
dramatic interest feel on stepping into the
silent streets of PompeiI, where the ghosts
seem more real than 1.
We stopped at the house of the garden
and l made an excuse for leaving Miss
Randolph at a little distance. as talked to
him. reminded him of my last visit. and
begged that as a favor, ne would show US
about although it was now after hours
He is a very good fellow. courteous and in
telligent, speaking with the noticeably dis
tinct enunCation which seems to be the
mark of all the guardians of monuments
historioue in France: and when he I'M
derstood that there was lady IN the
case he readily consented to obilge,
though / suspect he left his supper
in the midst He took off his cap to
Miss Randolphs beauty, ethereaiZed oy the
moons magic, and we all three starred oii
cur expedition. We were conducted INTO
huge round towers and out upon LOFTY,
commanding battlements, whence We could
gaze through haze of moonlight over
great sweep of country, with here and there
the sparkle of a winding river. like ala
mond necklace flung down carelessly on d
purple cushion Our guide conscientlouSly
pointed out the stations of the sentrles ana
the guards, the disposition or the towers
for mutual defense leach Dowsaot from
the other), the sally-ports. the secret pas
sages communicating with underground
tunnels for revictualing the city IN time OF
siege: and realistic were our surround
ings that / fancied Miss Randolph once @
twice actually caught herself listening in
vain for the tramp of mailed feet, tine
hoarse word of command AZ all events,
I'm sure she forgot for the lime being ab
about Aunt Mary and Jimmy Payne waiting
in the car. and I didn't think Il incu;rbent
upon me to remind her of their existence
or necessities. We fingered lorg enough in
the splendid region of towers, battlements
and ramparts to do them full justice. TneE,
when I had slipped something Of no impor-
lance into the gardens hand, we reluctant.
ly departed, often looking back as we went
down the hill As we left the old city we
d1Q not leave II alone. "A group Dl souuS
men and women of humble class We're
hurryng down just before us on their way
to the new town. We were so near hat We
couldn't help overhearing their eager Talk
of spectacle they were on thei. way to
see and judging from the fragments we
caught, this to be "A kind OF Passion
Play. Although l had been at Car2asspnne
before, didn't know that such hing ex-
listed in France. or. indeed, outside Dbcr-
ammergau and a few villages in the TyTol.
Miss Randolph questioned me about il. out
/ could tell her nothing, and she exclaimed
rather shamefacedly, ''Oh, how l should
love to CO.
Would you let me take you there. just
to look for a few minutes, MISS 1
doubtfully asked.
Il should like it above anything" said
she. "Only-we've already kept those .'Jor
people waiting too long. I'm afraid"
This needn't keep them very much long
err said I. land it may be the last chance
you will ever have of seeing such tninG."
"Oh. WELL l can't resist she c:ied.
"WeH go-and I'll take the scolding after
ward"
We did GO following our leaders until we
came to a good-sized booth with 4 crowd
round it. The admission was twopence
each. but the best seats cost a franc. We
went in and found ourselves in a long, can
vas room, with sloping seats and a small
stage at one end lighted by oil lanps.
The place was dreadfully hot. and smell
ed strongly of humanity. Presently bell
rang; there was solemn music Oh a tinklIng
piano and a young actor, bara-faced 9nd
dressed in white classical dress took his
place near the stage, beginning to
recite in a clear, sympathetic voice.
He was the choragus, explaining to
us what was to happen in the play.
The curtain went up, to reveal a tableau
of Adam and Eve in very palpable flesh
tights with garlands of fig leaves festooned
about their bodies.
Adam, with an elaborate false beard
slept under a tree. Then. to the accom-