The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-24
A Visit to Guatemala City.

Especial Correspondence
GUATEMALA, April IL entered Guate-
mala City in the afternoon. A band hidden in
an adjacent plaza was softly playing. The
bull ring near the station was illuminated by
! the setting sun, the low white houses all about
! looked strangely picturesque, the sky was
afiame. the streets were rose color, the air
was filed with the perfume Of flowers Work
ingmen, Indians, were swarming through
the thoroughfares, prettily attired women
thronged the avenues. The scene was brisk,
glowing, animated.
Here was light, fragrance. gavetY. The
city seemed deliciouslY cl9an, from the quaint
ly constructed sidewalks to the white skirts Of
the ladies which foated in and out of the
great dOorways Guatemala has a certain
quickened pace which other parts Of Central
America do not possess, and it seemed to me
a carnival like mcrriment was among the
people. There were subdUed shouts of laugh
ter, and the saiutationS OF the young folks
were full of JOY and gentleneSs. hurried on
until l reached the Grand hotel, glad 10 be
among so active and alert a community.
81 want a good room, I said to The clerk
FNo, senior, answered that magnificent of
fetal. The house is full, you must go away"
where shall 1 go!" qUeried.
81 do not know, senior. Here we have no
room"
Was my appearance disreputable won
dered7 Did my walking through the streets
lower my status? Had I lost cast by not
coming in a cabl Appearances 20 for much
in these countries, and their is a cynical
Spanish proverb TO the effect that 1--WE nod
to a friend on foot, but bow low to an ac-
quaintance on horseback" At any rate
grasped my democratic grip and dolefully
moved out in search of a lodging. The little
incident depressed my erstwhile hilarious
spirits and as l walked along the streets l
looked into strange faces, listened to strange
voices, and suddenly felt inexpressibly lone
some. Finally 1 caught sight Of a sign
''Hotel UNIVERSAL Ah here was a haven
of rest, surely. And 50 it proved. I was
soon comfortably dOmiciled, and then as the
night came on strolled out to see the sights
of the city.
Guatemala isvery fine, but in the evening it
is very desolate. The white houses seem ghost r
like, the windows are closed, there is nothing
but silence and solitude around. More and
more lonesome grow the feelings of the stran- .
ger. | pass through streets that appear aban- /
dOned and cross squares barren Of human be- |
iugs. Now and then I hear q whisper through /
an iron grating and catch a glimpse of a dark /
head with red flower buried in its rich coils. /
y onder Is the grand plaza, and facing 1t is .
the sUmptuous cathedral which is the glory |
of the place, but over all hangs a deathlike /
stiffness, while the new moon sheds an uncan-
ny light over the dome, turrets and angles of /
the splendid church. They call Guatemala .
the Paris Of Central America" but in the
evening I find 1t Ike Toledo Of Spain, dead
and dssolate.
the quiet became irEsome, and ascertain
ing from friendly policeman that the theatre
where the Italian opera was being given was
not open that night, glooniIy loitered back
to my hotel and prepared for bed Presently
a tap came at the door, and boy appeared,
ayinG defererualIy, Would senior ike to be
called for early church,
Yankee Ike I answered one question BY
asking another:
''Are there no diversions for the stranger
IN GuatamalaT'
''Manana, 81 senOr.n be quickly replied,
his face glowing. ''To-morTow, yes It VIII
be Sunday. Directly altar mass there viii
be grand cock fights, splendid birds, senior.
Pure English bred. II toe afternoon there
will be e bull fight at The ojr>uS IN the even
ng Ia Favorics' VIII be sung in Italian at
ne theatre
And I had been repining! I had felt an
lchins void! I bad yearned for the grasp Of a
friendly hand, lon-ed % Iook into pair Of
plying eyes. ana would have been more than
atlstied- Yet tomorrow, almost here. was
sIriy bursting win tbe promise Of pleasure.
''hachacho," 4 said. tossing the boy
'oup.e a reals in the ezuoersDca Of nv JOY,
call me early, call ne very early; sba4 20
o5 O'Clock mass
And l tuuhled into bed 70 dream II berib-
'oned bulls plnngEng ferocio1sly int glorious
hGrches and ganeoocEs sf1Esary calling shs
:oming Of the sabbath d.y.
FREuEz-CK ". FErE