New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-18
TO MATANZAS.
SOME REASONS FOR NOT GOING.

medately II went to Mstanzas. aud shall no
obliged to say "no" Then they will pity US AMI will
say missed seeing tho most interesting object In
Florida. tits always that way No matter where you
have been ojournng there will be plenty OF people who
on your return will OF something which you should
have and which far supsror to anything you DID
soc.
The old forts and the coQuna ruins here have not
suffered least from the fross and in that respect,
In Others this city ahead Of other towns in
this State.
There hardly place this vicinity whore you can
smell good deal OF sulphur water great many
persons also drink large quantities OF they think 1t IL
good for them Almost any hour OF a fair day You
shall group about the fountain ia the old market
the Plaza all drinking. The ignorant go up smiling
ly nearly all away with that contorton Of visagc
which the face OF child who has just taken
dose Of " salts and senna"
When We first came here six weeks ago. like all good
people when they arrive ut a place, we purchased
guide book n "standard one, OF course. In this we
steam launch makes stated trips from ST.
Augustine to Matanzas" As this trip was one OF our
long cherished intentions Immediately began In
quries.
went out by myself on the street. casually remark
ing that guessed I'd find out about that steamer to
Matanzas Any resident would know. OF course. Az
the first large crocodile tooth shop ST. George-st
after looking at goods asked II there was boat to
Matanzas. Oh. yes There's the Mabel f. Parties
cDafter ner every tWO lou eo1 ho' iV Vi"'
but that isn't what want We are only three.
Doesn't she 90 regular trips |"
Tho man hestatcd. then raised his voice to some one
In the rear of the shop.
"Oh, Ben, say! Does the Mabel F. have regular
daysp
Ben came forward He was polishing an aliigators
tooth, and had the tusk In his hand
"Wall reckon she does reg iar every Sunday. You
can charter her, ye know" looking at me.
said did not anything about having a whole
steamboat, and that understood she went every day
for the benefit OF the pubc-and her owners
oval. does 20 bout every day. Party went yes
terday."
"When is another party going thinking 1 might
find 1t possible for us to sneak In
"Dont know. But I'll tell ye wnere you can find out
Go to the Club House wharf She lays there"
Invent down on to Bayst. and followed the sea-wall
until came to the wharf named. The sides Of the pier
were lined by small yachts with sails all set waiting
for At tho end was three.masted ship. and
men and horses were unloading her. 1 walked care
fully between carts and barrels inquring occasionally
for any one belonging to the Matanzas boat. Oh yes.
this was the wharf, but the Mabel F. had gone to Ma
tanzas to-day; had party.
Does she 90 regularly ~ asked each time. and each
time was told that she most every fair day she
chartered most every day.
But doesn't she take passengers In any other way !"
"Oh, yes"
but how shall find out something definite r.
This last question put to man at the extreme end
OF the wharf for had worked my way so far. This
man overseeing the unloading Of COAL and he said
that the best way for to do to come down there
to the wharf that afternoon about o'clock. The boat
would be in them aud could see the captain himself.
This seemed excellent advice. and followedt was on
the spot quarter before the time The place was nearly
deserted the yachts gliding about tho river and
there was no work unloading. Best Of ALL saw
the little steamer fastened close to the ship.
When reached the utmost verge and gazed into the
Mabel could perceive living creature save black
and tan dog asleep on deck. waited time. Two
men, evidently strangers like me, down along the
planks gazing about them Presently negro came out
OF small house near me. asked him If he know when
the boat going to Matanzas He touched his hat and
why. lady, she's been terday."
I informed him did not want to know when she had
He did not know. Her captain had je'' gone orr
so the boat wouldn't 90 then for sho'"
Then he went kindly and told me what was the best
thing for me TO do.
70 jes como down hyer bout ils time ter-morrer n
I'll be sho ter know. I'll find out fur yer I'm r'chere
all the time"
| thanked him and gave up for that day all further
thought Of the trip thinking that was now sure OF ac
curing the necessary knowledge.
As had followed the previous counsel so followed
this When reached the wharf the next day the negro
there. the Mabel F. was lying in her place and
man with a mule and tip-cart, who was bringing wood
reckoned that the capn hadn't got back from Jackson
vile yet.
This was as have intmated, about six weeks ago.
aud have never given up the idea that We NAV 60
The pursuit of that steam launch. which makes stated
trips as interesting we had tickets everyday In
lottery Each morning we think that l. may be to-day
found him board oneday just as the craft had come
ID cor Of people s SOmns n from nt ID
across the cheeks and Oh the tips OF the nose We
were the Plaza SrnE va, to tSsn s 5st
we rushed down and found the captain. He small
man with closely gray Gsasy ana NE
made out what he said.
the week; bentoday oh; yes. they took passengers
II he was chartered he'd ask permission to take u.s. He
might 20 tomorrow, and he might not before the next
But how shall we knowi"
saw that with the gray whskers kind OF thic set
man, about half way up The pier
We saw the mau and said that we did.
"wal," said the captain: kindly 81 shall knew by
TIL. evening ff% gO1, t0morrow and III bm tell hm
speak to him about 1t as you go long"
We spoke to him and he said he would remember
happen to there when we came to go 10 Hamlin's
grocery store he should surely be there and inform
That evening raned. but went to tho post-oice
for last mail ana being Ss we walked 70 Ins
piazza Hamlins grocery store, gave description
He had been there within half hour but he had such
bad toothachs that he had gone home hs S ne let any
anything about the days It would goi
other passengers could go too"
turned away.
know by way people In Bay-st looked at us that
they had learned what present object in life
But as have said all extremely kind to US Only
two days ago heard boy whisper shrly 10 another as
we went by them, Them's the women that want to
20 to Matanizas." -,
People have told to be on tho pier
by niue in the morning. and we have Ms., been
there then. Once we saw the .. MABEL Msoe, f. f.
tho Afternoon and then we could learn something def
mite We have followed this suggestion and have seen
the in At such times the captain mas never
sno WIN when he was going again. He Is getting to be
sorry for us The time saw him. three days age
he told us that he lived up by old fort and he would
come round the night before his noxt trip and let us
know He has not been round. do not know what Is |
the &c neral feeling the city about our going TO Matan
zas but have never et In spite OF oil that has oc
CURED to make me think that wrong for US TO
60 should DO surprised II there were bets pend-
ing on the subject among the betting class.
Tomorrow expect to leave st. Augustine, 50
would not surprised II the captain came round To-
o tell may IN his boat
thwarted and melancholy mood the verse seems very
amir