Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-09-12

struts up ana u0Wns WaILlHg Tor unknown
converts to kneel and pay him homage.
The wags on shipboard generally have
much sport out of him. painting his face
and attaching all sorts of ridiculous pla-
cards 10 his coat. The only trouble he
ever gives consists in his bothersome at
tempts to convince people that he is a
new Messiah. A set of curious characters
are found among the immigrants from
the southeastern part Of Europe and Asia
Minor. They keep carefully to themselves
and refuse to recognize any and every
body. They have apparently fear of
being poisoned, and bring a lot Of pro-
visions with them for the voyage, seldom
more than touching what the ship sup
plies. What with seasicl1ness and these
pecnliarities they almost starve on the
way over, and land in New York as if
they had just gone through a long
famine. Russians Roumanians and Mo-
hammedans make up most of these oddi-
ties. But there are others who come
from all parts of Europe
"Some from out of the way places
where civilization is Just beginning to ex-
ert it's influence are superstitious rather
than cranky. and believe that the ocean is
full of devils as well as monsters. and
spend half their time in prayer They are
always disappointed when they land at
not having any diabolic adventure, and
apparently consider themselves as having
been defrauded by either the steamship
officials or else the custom house officers.
At times they create unpleasant scenes
on shipboard by having nightmares in
which they imagine that they are in
Satan's clutches, and attempt to escape
the internal powers by wholesale bowling.
But the most curious person we ever
brought over" he went on, was French
woman, calling herself Mile Saint Omer.
who came on this voyage and landed last
Tuesday in that frightful cyclone which
made our wharf nothing better than a
swimming bath. She wouldn't wait till
the storm was over, but attired in the
only costume she has, walked calmly from
the deck on TO the pier. Here she applied
to two of the custom house inspectresses
to be examined and given permission to
go TO her stopping place, the Grand Cen
trail hotel. Her appearance was so start
ling that the two officials were hardly
able to answer her. She was between 55
and go years of age very tall, hollow
chested, stoop shouldered, thin and ex-
tremely angular. Her nose was more than
aquiline, her chin turned up as if 60 meet
her lips, and on her face was collection
Of gray stiff bristles which would have
done credit to a tooth brush"
This womans costume consisted Of a
rusty cloth home made suit, once black
but changed by years Of wear and tear to
a dingy mixture Of gray, brown and
greenish hues It bulged here and there
from vast pockets, which started from
the waist and ran down 10 the hem OF
the skirt. Over her arm she carried
black shawl, completely covered with
black glass beads, which must have
weighed fifteen pounds. Her head was
covered with an ancient black bonnet,
beaded to match the shawl. Her shoes
we're old, well worn and unbuttoned.
The tearing wind took liberties with her
attire and showed her bare ankles to be
unprotected by hosiery of any sort. Her
hands were as nude as her lower extremi.
ties.
The inspectress asked, Where Is your
baggageg" 10 which came the astonish-
ing reply, 81 am my own baggage, ac-
companied by Il sweep 0f Der gaunt and
bony hands about the ancient dress.
Where are You goingl"
Il am going round the world with a
Cock excursion party. Here's my ticket,
for which / paid in Paris II 600 odd
francs. | stay here a day or two and
then 60 west AS she spoke she pro-
duced from a dirty and greasy pocket
book long coupon ticket, issued from
that well known travelling concern, which
confirmed her statement. The purse also
contained q largo roll Of bills IN French,
English and Americas currency.
The inspectress took She woman into n
corner Of tho wharf and there behind a
pile of freight examined her carefully.
Tho skirt of the dress was mass Of. long
pockets. In one were two umbrellas,
one Of blue bingham for sunny days,
and ono Of black silk for rainy weather.
In a second pocket were three pairs Of
shoes, but no stockings. The inspectress
commented upon the absence of tho lat
ter Grticle and received the curious reply,
Stockings arc a worthless relic OF anti
putty; they arc unhealthful and iniure
person walking muscles. I've worn none
since my youth"
In q third pocket was a moderate sup
ply Of woman's underwear, some which
had been worn lying at the bottom, and
the rest, neat and clean, but somewhat
shabby. lying ON top. In fourth pocket
We're d.-en little fancy caps or hats,
such a. " ,Incn wear st ho=se, patent