The Weatherbeaten Man; A Tale of American Patriotism (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1911. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. The Acropolis of San Pedro. The acropolis of San Pedro--the highest point in the city It was a mound, shaped like a hemisphere, with its summit a full two hundred feet above the level of the vast plateau that reached to sightless limits in every direction. By the hand of some primeval settler the crest and receding slopes of this elevation had been planted with oak and pine, which, seemingly inspired by the loftiness of their location, or, emulating its majestic grandeur, had grown to become giants of their species. Great terraces, entwining walks and broad drives, displayed the skill of engineering, and the art of the landscape gardener was revealed in nooks and areas of flowers, with here and there some statuary. The base of the hill had been severed to the general level of the plain by an encir-, cling highway, and a wall of stone erected to sustain the higher border of the road. At the summit and transcending all but the topmost boughs of the tallest trees, stood a palatial home of brownstone with marble halls, whose mural decorations had been taken by artists from Nature's best productions of scenic beauty. There was a massive stairway of the same white stone. Great windows of plate glass, embellished with art glass of refined coloring, gave the place a tone that seemed to soeak of hospitality and to destroy the barriers of seclusion. Chandeliers of princely value were suspended from the ceilings, and their sparkling pendants reflected all the colors of June's brightest rainbow. Gorgeous tapestry and delicate lace appended to the walls, heightened the mural beauty, and softened the effect of massive furniture, whose footings were half buried in the mellow pile of velvet carpets. For a decade this had been the home of Felix Honeyman, his wife an...