Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-04-10

Inc merry fevelS were held. The rOOflees
walls Of the little house enclosed IA. n
the distance we could see that grim mon.
ster with the throbbing heart. whose
stream Of lava and hot ashes had weighted
down the roof and laid waste the home,
pursuing the inmates in their fiiRht.
choking, binding, scorching-wrsppine
them about in . gray mantle OF death.
Other homes, larger and more elegant.
claimed our attention. The house OF
vetrii, upon the frescoed walls Of which
one reads whole history. We traced the
scenes Of the hunt and those Of the Overs
art, wrought in glowing oolors upon the
dining hall. Seated In the garden. among
the statuary about the impluvium. 10
called up to mind the family life. Again
figures passed and repassed in the court.
From the servants quarters came the
hustle and stir Of preparation, A muir
muir Of voices rose and fell in the inner
rooms. A peal Of laughter floated out to
a.. But that wss only another fancy. We
wers the only tenants. To the uorthvard
stood the mighty sentinel who had i'm
posed his ban Of silence upon al.
We strolied ON to the baths. whose
carvings and mosaics toasted our eyes. q
did the living, vivid color ON wall and
Intel. In this meeting place Of cultured
and refined people, where were discussed
sfisirs Of Stste, - we'll - the lighter news
Of the day, shall we feel that fateful in
flucncef Yes, il 10 everywhere. Whether
sitting In the open amphit heatre, or
ptsndinR among the columns Of the tenn
plea, or within the walls Of buildings, one
cannot get away from It. It 10 over all
and through oil. The very cir 10 weighted
with remembrance OF that day which
locked the city in the monsters embrace
to lie buried for centuries, and then to be
given back to rs. From every point one
sees the mountain, solemn, brooding, .
mysterious force which none may under
stand nor control. Small wonder that we
invested our coins in handful Of the real
sand and lava, wrapped In q bit OF ragged
newspaper, which Q grimy hand held out
to Ms. One must have his Illusions and
the proof thereof.
Pompeii drew Us again and again within
its walls, but after the desolation it was q
refreshment, near the close Of an after
noon, to take the train for Cava, where the
night was to be spent. Up we mounted
among the hills, each mile taking us into
new beauties of wooded slopes and green
vineyards. The air grew rapidly cooler
and more rare. The strenuous sipht-see-
ing was over. This was a place in which
to rest.
So we felt, nor were we disappointed on
reaching the Hotel de Londres. after a
rapid ride through the long street set
met and interlaced, forming q leafy roof
overhead. There was such an American
air about the place. The spotless clesnli-
ness, the great garden and tennis court,
the mountains on all sides. One could
imagine himself among the Moosehesd
lake hills At home. From our balcony
We watched the moon climb up Monte
CASTILLO and stream down the valley,
followed by one lone star. Music from q
stringed instrument was the only sound
in the still night. The twinkling lights
of the village across the valley bespoke
human companionship. We were no
longer among the ashes of the past.
We were up betimes the next morning,
ready for Paestum. In a spotless canvas
bag was our luncheon, q bottle Of water
tied in one end, in the other, one of native
wine. The bag we were to return BY the
driver, who was not only to take US to the
station. but meet us at Salerno IN the
afternoon. with our luggage, and drive us
on to Amalfi aud Sorrento.
Wide levels and open sky-resches
formed a fit setting for the classic sim
plicity OF the three Doric temples of
Paestum. A sense of isolation and space
possessed M. though perhaps the impress
sion NAV have been growing all along the
fat. sterile country through which we
had been passing. The lone peasants,
tending herds of small bufYalos. had con-
tributed nothing toward feeling OF fell.
Iowship. A for the road. it had elected