New Iberia enterprise and independent observer., 1904-10-01
From our Special Correspondent.
THE ST. LOUIS FAIR.

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what he saw in Jerusalem, for some
reason he did not. So we concluded
to come and see for ourselves. Sc
here We are, in city whose narrow
streets make even iberia and Julis
streets look like roadways. A
camel with his swinging gait when
J loaded is liable to touch on either
side. Here and there are wider
spaces, (called market places)
where donkeys aud camels stand
ready to be hired for riding and
burden bearing. Camels frequently
called "the ships of the desert" be-
cause, no doubt their peculiar gait
will make novice riding them as
sea sick as trip on the ocean wave.
Jerusalem is no longer in the hands
of the Jews. The Temple, for so
long its center and glory, is now
but mass Of ruin. The gold and
gems which formed so large a part
of this, the greatest building the
world has ever known, having been
removed ages ago, and over the
principal part of the site is built
the celebrated Mosque of Omar,
a marvellous piece Of Mohammedan
Architecture. There lisa street called
David, and one called straight in
cOntradistiDctIOn to the rest Of them
being so crooked The merchants
display their rather CANDY ware in
open windows or more frequently
on large trays or mats upon the
pavements in front of their dwell
ings. The doors generally opening
fiush upon the street disclose uar-
row trustle stairs soon lost
to sight. No wonder the story
tells Of "letting a sick man
down from the house top" they
could never carry a full grown sick
or well man down such stairs,
Jerusalem has no gas or electric |
lights at night, it is as dark as a |
stack Of black cats, or to come
nearer home, New Iberia. The
people having been accustomed TO
that state Of affairs, provide them
selves with graceful little lamps,
very much in shape like a gosling,
the neck being the handle. In all
cases of evening entertainment
provident people not only all their
lamps but have very convenient
vessel for carrying more oil, (now
entire nous would it not be a good
idea for us to try the Jerusalem
plan rather than stumble around in
the darkO We had the privilege
Of seeing a marriage ceremony,
which was unique in every detail.
The selection is attended to by the
parents of both parties; all arrange
ments monetary 80 settled. When
the young people meet the groom .
lifts the veil from the face of his
bride, seeing her for the 6rst time. .
He then takes his sword from the ,
with considerable flourish {
aud swings it in front of the bride
Is though promising to protect her
rom all the world, she takes it and
'ests her cheek upon it, thereby
his protection. He pre- ,
'ents the bride with long peculiar
assel-like affair formed of small
'ilver coins. This Is a hereditary
,ift which must be guarded most
acredly. 1t was a piece Of this
liver no doubt OF which the Good |
Book tells, the "woman who lost
t" swept the house diligently un-
il she found 1t. A loss Of this
lind could not be endured and re. {
pectively maintained. We also .
aw an illustration of the Syrian
method Of greeting in the streets. 1
here is a great deal Of courtesy. :
hey enquire affectionately for each
nd every member Of the family,
t each name bowling until the fore
reads touch, sometimes with con-
iderable force, hand shaking con-
inuing all the while. It is not
Vithout peculiar grace, but one I
honld have no other occupation ii :
hey had many friends and were
iven to going about. No wonder a
'hrist told his disciples when he
ent them ont to preach. "T0
rect no man by the way 1t
'ould take all lltheirtime ifthey were .,
cry polite. There is beautiful si
icture set in concave form to give !, =
he best perspective, showing the
ncampment Of the children Of =
srael on their historic march. A
eantiful illustrative Of the Ark-of- = :
1e- Covenant with its ever burning q
ymbol of Divinity and the pillar =
fife directly over the Holy Place.
While gazing at this instructive
nd beautiful picture a finely culti- Il
ated voice told the story Of the :,
[olv Citv ooOo mno Mad hv n fuoi