The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-28
MONT ST. MICHAEL.
At the Famous observation-disclosures
for the Pilgrims.

A stretch of wet, dun-colored sands,
with shining patches where pools yet
remain, q high causeway whose piled
powders CLEAN ruddy, ochre, russell
orange in the changing sunset light,
and overhead the splendid pile of st.
Michael, crowned by his golden arch
angel, whose crest seen from below
seems to meet the sky-such is the
mount.
A little putting steam tram deposits
its passengers with a great fuss over it
all upon the digue; about the arrivals
each of whom is more determined
than his fellow to conduct the unwily
traveller where he has no intention of
being taken.
street, through the massive gateway
toward the Porte du Rol and the
famous hosiery at its gates. There is
a crowd about the entrance, and the
way has to be pushed through the
chattering throng to madame, the
hostess of world renown, who stands
! by the wide fireplace, with its glowing
| flames and rows of Spluttering pulletS
for the evening meal. Madame greets
/ the newcomers with the fine gracious
ness reserved for the distinguished
ones of this earth, but you may pos
SeSs the tongue of angels and prophets
and it will not secure you room with
| out notice in the height of the season.
Forewarned, however, you climb in a
guides wake up the steep stairs, whose
walls are decorated with the votive Of
| fering of artist visitors, up and up,
ascending out of doors again. on 10
| the second story, past the "terrasse,
with its green pergolas and little tables
for outdoor dejeuner, by tortuous ways
to a ''pied terre," or rather, "a ciel. y
| a little room in a long corridor, SO eK-
actly like other little rooms that you
will never track it again without its
number.
Pilgrims at the mount stay SO short
a while that only the merest neces-
saries are provided for their stay.
You descend to dinner in the salon. an
excellent meal in fine room, panelled
and picture-hung with votive offerings
again. 1t is a polyglot assem- bly,
French, Italian, German and Spanish
with a large proportion of English and
American; the babel is incessant as
madame's appetizing dishes go round.
, Dinner over, you descend to the cafe
and drink your cup in the dusk with
the centuries regarding you from their
height; or you pace the digue in din
ner-fed content, and chum up with
the first stray Englishman you meet
who wants somebody as badly as your
self to listen to after dinner common
places.
The moon rides clear from bank
of clouds and shows the mount ma
jestic for an instant.
You turn in early and light your
way to bed with a Chinese lantern
with the hotels name printed there
upon.
Tomorrow you will awake prepared
to wax enthusiastic, fill your sketch
/ book and exhaust your vocabulary
over the unending miracle of it all,
| sale des chevaliers promenoir,
crypte, Pescalier de dentelle," and all
the other marvels.
| Tonight you are too sleepy to think
of anything but sleep and the unutter-
able sulphurousness of French
with an, atmosphere more reminiscent
of the gentleman with the pitchfork
than the srchangel under whose pro-
lection you seek a speedy couchi-Pall
Mall Gazette.