Tombstone epitaph., 1892-07-17
FROM AWAY DOWN.
Interesting Reading From Guatemala Furnished by a Tombstone Man
 New There.
GUATEMALA, Republica de Guatemala,

June 22d, 1892. ED. PRosPEcroR We arrived in the port of San Jose de Guatemala on the 10th inst at } 30 p. nj. San Jose Is the commercial emporium of the republic, and does a very extensive shipping trade with Europe and the United States.
 At s 30 a. m. l2th inst we boarded the train, narrow guage, making two trips daily to the capital, 76 miles. This IS system of the Central Pacific and does an immense business. We are whirled over the lowlands At rapid rate and before us at distance B miles iIses the majestic peaks of the extinct volcanoes, Pacayo $500 feet, and Volcano de Agua I3,30O feet. We pass through immense g-owths of forest trees entangled with vines and undergrowth that is impenetrable, and roads and trails have to be fairly tunneled through them. We pass coffee. sugar, rubber, banana, plantsin, cocoa, and pineapple plantations in succession, growing in black alluviai soil four to six feet deep, till we reach the pleasant little valley of Escuintla nestled in the forest at the foot of the Volcano de Agua, where we have a fine table groaning under the weight of all the fruits and delicacies of the Tropics of Cancer ld 1mericdaG awaiting the passengers. This dinner was prepared by American ladies, and when we boarded the train we thought of "home, sweet home, "the best din- ner we had eaten for months, and the good American ladies, and felt thor Oughly convinced that "there is no place like home" and no women like our own women for everything.
 Winding our way up the mountaias, cultivated on all sides, loop after loop, we are soon flashing along the borders of Lake Amatitlan, beautiful, clear lake some forty miles long and about to f miles wide lying in the bosom of the towering mountains some 1000 eet above sea level, and teeming with fine fish, ski:ted with forests, and fed by numerous clear and laughing mountain riYulets.
 wa paas ,lrnrub ,Ia .;,ba., ,,a.,r- age we ever saw, and the cattle are rolling in fat, Beef cattle are selling here at from Si0 to $45 per head. Horses and mules that bring from $60 to S15 in the United States readily bring from s4O0 to s60O here. Prices are enormous. Mules find more ready sale. l say man asking Sl 900 for mule. IE the United States man would be thought crazy if he asked $50 for such one. The man was offered $500 for i; and would not sell | it.
 We reached the city of Guatemala at 3.30 p, m and taking the street car, driven by & bareiooted native, whom I instructed to leave me off at the "Gran Hotel" I was soon of foi the center of the city in an Eng fish car drawn by mules. After pass ing the hotel twice, through the ig- norance of this Indian brute l suc- ceeded in getting there only by taking mozo to carry my baggage, and | going on foot.
 ThOug h We are in Guatemala under a strange flag we fiud it simply repe- ,ition of Mexico. The same language is spoken, the laws and customs are nearly the same, the burro and peon the main factors in labor, the marts and portals are crowded with vendors of trinkets and fruits and swee;meats, and msiiana is always the proper day fer business.
 Just at present Guatemala Is in the midst oi boom on account Of recent trades worked up between this country and the United States and Europe for the immense coffee production, and real estate has suddenly shot up to 200 per cent higher. This is the rich est Of the Central American republics and money Is plentiful Later on we will give your readers a description of the country around, the products, the laws, protection to foreigners, and the outlook of this beautiful Central American republic.