The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-04-07

journey to the Mediterranean, how pref v
she looked, and when he spoke to her her
beautiful dark eyes met his half shyly
and her cheeks glowed with pleasure.
When John Whitaker left Paris for
Marseilles, at which port he was to take
ship for home, the little French girl babe
goodbye forever to the city where she
had borne such suffering. Now that the
time had really come for her departure,
and she realized that she was to leave
France forever, the tears gathered in
her dark eyes for moment; but Mrs.
Burns spoke kind words to her, and she
was soon laughing and as happy as a
lark. John Whitaker and party left
Paris for Marselles the last of Septem-
Der, travelling by slow stages. The high
ways were rough, and in many places as
they advanced into Southern France they
found them in a wretched condition.
Day by day they journeyed, going some
time by mule teams with their tinkling
bells, at other times by stage coach.
The country was in terrible condition
of poverty and degradation. The huts in
which the peasants lived would not be
fit, John Whitaker thought, for tool
houses on his plantation, while the rural
districts, as we'll as the cities, We're
thronged with beggars and even robbers
and it was not safe after nightfall for
Mr.. Whitaker and party to continue on
their way, especially when they were
travelling by private conveyance. How
ever if the highways were very rough,
and the inns at which they stopped along
the way small and dirty, no fault could
be found with the weather, which was
superb. The autumn air was mild and
balmy, the waters of beautiful lit
tie lakes sparkled in the sunlight, and
from the banks of babbling brooks love-
ly flowers bent to kiss the ripples dancing
along so gaily to the Rhone and the
Mediterranean.
Finally, when they struck the Roman
road among which Agrippa had built in
Gaui ard caught glimpses OF the spires
of the city of Lyons, John Whitaker
heaved sigh of relief, as did the other
members of his party. They remained
in Lyons several days, resting and enjoy
ing themselves in visiting different
places of interest. They were now only
about 200 miles from Marseilles, their
destination. On the morning Of the
fourth day of their stay in Lyons, they
left for Valence, Is miles south, by pri-
vate conveyance. Their route was along
the banks of the historic Rhone and they
Travelled through part of France where
there were fertile meadows and flourish
ing vineyards, and were nearing the
Rhone at point where one of the great
est military heroes the world has ever
known crossed with mighty army that
struck terror and dismay to the Roman
world.
. AS John Whitaker and party neared
Valence, Alexander, who was fine
scholar and deep student OF history,
burst into enthusiastic eulogies of the
military genius of Hannabal. Here it
was, or near here" said ne, that Han
nibal crossed this great river with his
mighty army to ascend the Alps, which
we see in the distance, into Italy, and
these SUBMITS filled the world in his day,
as in our times, with their fame. "''Yes,
replied J Ohm Whitaker, as he looked up
! i +r-.- l, hn
capped SUBMITS of the Alps in the dis
tance, 1--WE are truly in a section where
great events occurred that aroused the
world. That Hannibal was one of the
greatest of military heroes is true. y
"Ah, Mr.. Whitaker" said Alexander,
his eyes shining with enthusiasm, 'hoW
many times have l wished to visit this
famous region through which Hannibal
marched his army from Spain into Italy.
| deem it one of the greatest privileges
of my life that my desires have been
gratifed. Historic region, here it was
that mighty army of many nationalities
/ led by the great Hannibal marched
against the power of Rome and perform
ed one of the greatest military exploits
/ in the worlds history" But think of
the blood-shed and the sorrow and suf-
fering it caused" said Mr.. Whitaker.
Cruel war, shall we never be freed
from its threatening shadow God
grant that We may" replied Alexander.
81 would say, hush the roar of cannon,
/ the groans of brave soldiers dying in
agony. l would say, do away, forever,
with such scenes of bloodshed and let the
great questions which threaten war be-
tween powerful nations be settled by
arbitration.
Mr.. Whitaker and party remained
but a few days in Valence and then
went on to Marseilles, where after
brief stay they sailed on fine large ship
for home After leaving the Mediter-
ranean they had rough and stormy
voyage across the Atlantic, their vessel
plunging, and staggering through the
angry seas, and there was much seasick-
ness on ship board. But the last days Of
their voyage, as they neared the shores