Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-30

Three days of the Caribbean SEA and
the next SUNRISE reveals the dark green
mountain range of the isthmus, aud a
few hours later the engines give their
last thrub beside the dock at Aspinwall.
A few years ago the place had popula-
ton of $40; it now claims ten times that
number. The great canal has gwen il
wonderful impetus. The French are
there by the thousand, aud other ma
tionalities are drifting in for the benefit
of trade and barter. Buildings are
sprinving up ON every hand rent at fab
ulous prices. Residents admit that it
in the diEtiest town on the western con-
tinent. The strangers tirst impression
Is that il would be good thing To turn
the hose on it-and ON a very l'rge per-
centtee of the people, too. The better
GLASSES live In q suburban section, known
as tho Beach Road This runs beside
the shore, and the houses, whitewashed
and Of light frame construction, face
upon il. Their inmates sec little Of the
filth and degradation Of the town. and
certainly need not wish 10. An English
resident said: "Oh. this isn't very bad
place, you know. There are not many
deaths among the whites" This state
meat may be true. yet IL 10 not surpris-
ing. No respectable person would care
to die in Aspinwall IL Ne could get any
other place on the face of this earth to
make his start into eternity.
The Panama Railroad runs southeast
IL miles, from Aspinwall TO Panama,
winding among hills, With some appal-
ling curves. Il wrecks freight train
| or two daily, and IL has ticket system
which wrecks the mind and reasoning
faculties of the stranger. In God's
country (otherwise known ~ the United
States) your fare In cheaper II you take
through ticket. Here they charge 81
for q through ticket for AZ miles that
| In, If you are q stranger. But IL yuu
are resident. ard il makes no differ
ence whether you go today Or next
year, you oan secure ticket for about
elO. Even this figure may be bettered.
| A gentleman who came down on a late
steamer, and was couvefaAnt With thu
peculiArities Of this most peculiar tiekel
systsm, purchased ticket for part ol
the distance for q. He left the train
at the midway station 10 attend TO Z
busiucss matter, and the following day
paid only 81 for the remaining dis
tance.
TIE scenery along the road is attract
i've. The operators upon the canal ars
i'm view at many points from the cAl
windows, for the route Of the CANA
truyerses very cloeeiy the line of ths
railroad. The dredging machines arr
deepening the Chaer Q river, which vll
be utilized for considerable distance
| The landscape 10 dotted with the whit
stakes pIaceu by the surveying parties
| Gangs OF worknen are eating into I
hillside at Quo point, at another f1llins
up a gulch. A contractor pointed ou
spos where there are 10 be f0rty-tws
acres Of filing to . hight Of from 30 4
90 feet. IL seems an anomaly 20 run
canal on the top OF an onloankment
| but IL will DO nut AN uncommon thinS
ON many parts Of the line.
From the train there Ia q panorsms
Of beautiful tropical scenery. I've TO
liagc is tuxuriant, and strange trees ana
towering shrubs meet the eye every
where. The coo0anut. palm, the orange
lemon. pineapple, banana and simllal
growths become familiar sights. Beside
the road are frequent groups Of nativ,
/ huts OF q single story, earthen fioors
and roofs thasched with palm leaves
The natives, Of mixed indian and neers
blood, are Ut brown hue. and rathel
underlined. Their cioshing 10 in ia.
interest Of economy. The men are sat
isfied with white cotton sEirss ana
breaches and broad straw hat. Tia,
women find moss comfort ia u sinei,
white cotton garment, always In immi
neus dangsv Of falling clear 10 tn,
proand fr0m the shoulders. which an
ma half covered. With the little chill
drsn this danger IN oftsu reality. In
dusary does nos burden any OF thss
psople. A days labor furnishes Tor
week such ample fsod ~ they requir
beyond what nature yields them ire
vt charge.