Elsie at the World's Fair eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 198 pages of information about Elsie at the World's Fair.

Elsie at the World's Fair eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 198 pages of information about Elsie at the World's Fair.

Such seemed to be the inclination of the others also, and they passed quietly in and about.

The exhibit of jewelry there was the one which seemed to have the greatest attraction for the young girls of the party, Lucilla especially; and her father presented her with a pin and ring which gave her great delight; nor was he less liberal to his wife or Grace.

“Ah, ha! um, hum! ah, ha!  I see, captain, that you believe in encouraging home industries,” laughed Mr. Lilburn.

“Yes, sir; especially when they are the best,” returned the captain good-humoredly.  “I have been examining jewelry in the various foreign exhibits and find none to excel, few to compare with, those of these United States.”

“Yes,” said Harold; “some of our country-men excel in those things, as they do in the art of the silversmith.  Look at those translucent enamels worked on silver fret-work—­there in the Gorham exhibit; and those fine pitchers and vases made of silver worked into open engraved designs, having pieces of colored glass blown into it; and those of Rockwood pottery and silver.”

“And yonder is Tiffany’s exhibit,” said Evelyn.  “He is one of our finest jewelers, so let us go and look at it.”

There was no objection raised, but all followed her as she led the way to the pavilion of which she had spoken.  They found it well worth examination, for none of them had ever seen a finer display, or greater variety of precious stones in costly and beautiful settings.

Our friends lingered some time longer in what the young people called “our section.”  There were other fine collections from other cities and countries, too numerous to mention, and far too many to be seen and examined in one day, or even in several.

After a time, however the little ones grew very weary and indeed all were ready to enjoy a rest.  So an electric boat on the lagoon was entered, and quite a while spent upon the water.

After that they had luncheon at a restaurant, then went to see the Spanish caravels.

“What are caravels, papa?” asked Elsie, as they went on their way.

“You’ll see presently,” he replied.  “You have heard the story of the discovery of America.  These little vessels which we are going to see are made as nearly as possible like those he came over in; the men who built them looking up old pictures and descriptions and making these vessels as exact copies of the old ones as they could.”

“Was it in Spain they made them, papa?”

“Yes; they sailed from Palos in Spain, about a year ago, and exactly four hundred years from the time when Columbus sailed from there to look for the land he felt sure was here, on this side of the ocean.  They took, as nearly as they could, just the course he did, and finally came on to New York, where they had a part in the international review of April, 1893.”

“That’s the name of this year isn’t it, papa?”

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Elsie at the World's Fair from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.