Omaha daily bee., 1890-01-19


value OF six American cents; bananas,
whole punches, for 25 cents. One could
write n book Of the sights Of a days
ride from early morn in Mexico to Vera
| Cruz by . y. M.
Vera Cruz, the city of the true cross,
founded by Cortez on the hot sands bor-
dering the Gulf of Campeachy. Eighty
miles inland to the west, the slightly
cone Of Ori2aba-the handsomest volca-
no on earth-lifts its white snow clad
pyramid glowing like a cloud smitten
by the sun, yet fixed aud solid and as
bright as no cloud can ever be. One
thousand sever hundred feet to the top
to a frigid zone while at Vera Cruz only
eighty miles away is n torrid cline, with
tropical fruits and tropical plants. You
see at n glance the change in climate IN
trees, plants and shrubbery, fruits and
flowers-a most wonderful view.
AS soon rs the train stopped we toll
lowed our guide to the Plaza, an acre
lot in the center Of the city, n most
beautiful garden full OF tropical
trees and flowers, the paved streets
and open verandahs, surrounding
tracks as smooth as glass. A band plays
Mexican airs here every evening. Ihe
garden is full of youth, beauty and the
beastly beggar.
The wide promenade surrounding the
garden was taken up by u continuous
moving line of promenadors. The open
verandahs adjoining the Plaza were full
of people slipping wine and coffee or eat
ing n refreshing meal. The best families
OF the city were here; ladies unattended,
young lads playing leap frog and hide
and-go-scck, girls tripping a rope; all
outdoors in midwintcr enjoying a
balmy, delightful atmosphere.
Flowers were on every hand and for
sale for a few pennies, bouquets some of
them half n yard across, the borders
usually made of violets, crowded and
solid, q dark background for the more
brilliant colors forming the crown, the
outside Inning being of escalloped paper.
About 10 a. m. December ~ we all
embarked in two large row boats for the
world-famed fortress (now only a prison)
of San Juan del Ulloa. As we crossed
the beautiful bay our two boat loads We'd
with each other in singing patriotic
songs. We passed just under the bows
OF u monster French steamer just weigh
ing anchor for a sea oyage AS we
neared the white walls of Ulloa we all
noticed the flag of Mexico floating from
the staff over the main tower. but a few
sentries on the parapet were the only
living objects in view.
We steered our boat close by the great
gray stone walls into the moat, and Just
as we stepped from the boat to the vale
some one noticed that the Mexican COL
ors were being lowered, aud as we all
glanced to the flag staff up rose our
grand old flag, the stars and stripes
God bless the heavenly banner. We
i~nvoluntarily took off our hats, and
some dared to cheer. 1t was a glorious
sight and u nor glorious compliment,
one that could not be bestowed upon a
party OF foreigers-no matter who they
might be-by an American officer. Not
an officer or soldier in the fort could
speak English, yet they understood
that it was Governor Thayer's party,
and u interpreter gave them to un-
derstand that we proposed to hold the
fort until We had seen all there was
worth seeing.
We saw the feeding of the prisoners,
and what they had to eat, the dungeons
and every other point of interest.
We decided we must nave our picture
by our ever faithful photographer.
There were soldiers to the right and
left of US. The commander made his
men swallow their dinner and change
dress from fatigue to full uniform in
just fifteen minutes. They marched
and counter-marched their men as
directed by our artist until he was
ready for the picture, which proved to
be a good me-. The officers of the fort
accompanied us TO the landing as we
departed, and waved their adieu until
we were half acros the bay.