Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-23

After Is days We cast anchor in Sc.
Thomas harbor, and pleasant ~ our
voyage had been we were glad to see
land. We were to stop q day for coal
ing.
Taking the two sisters we went ashore
in one OF the many boats surrounding
the ship, all manned by scantily robed
black fellows. The town, with its hordes
Of gaudily dressed and noisy blacks,
was most interesting.
First I took the sisters to the cathe-
dral Both were grateful and knelt at
the altar for full half hour while we
waited. Then, after visiting several
stores to make some small purchases,
we went to circus showing there that
week. I bought ten tickets for my
party. Everything they saw in the town
was marvellous and strange to them.
When we entered the circus tent, the
sisters were perplexed and Thought it
must be new sort of church. But
words would fail to express their amaze
ment when they saw the clown and be-
spangled horsemen enter the ring and the
performance begin. They were in new
and hitherto undreamed Of world and
gazed in childlike wonderment on the
scene, and, like children, only saw the
glitter Of the spangles and thought both
men and women performers were angels
OF beauty. Even after the thing was
over the magic and witchery of it all
rested on them. To please them we sat
until the audience had dispersed, and
when going out one Of them, speaking
OF the performers, told my wife they
must be very near to God.
The next morning 1 found we were
sailing along the Cuban coast, quite
near the land, which looked SO inviting
that I made up my mind to go ashore
and stay month in Havana, SO I had
my baggage got on deck. Soon after
dinner the engines were stopped for
some hours for repacking, the captain
informing me that it was doubtful
whether we should arrive in Havana in
time to go ashore that night. At 6
O'Clock the sunset gun is fired, the Gus
tom house closes, and no more debarka-
lions are allowed that day. If went
ashore the next day, must be up and
off ut an early hour, as the ship sailed
at 80, SO told the captain if he ar
rived before would go ashore and
wait for the next steamer, but if we
We're late would 90 ON to Vera Cruz
with him.
1t was well on to o'clock when we
steamed past Moro castle and dropped
anchor in the harbor. I engaged two of
the boats alongside, our baggage was
hurried into them, my wife went down
the ladder, and speaking some hurried
farewells I ran down after her and
sprang lightly into the boat. That in
slant the sunset gun was fred. Two
minutes later, and the custom house
officers ON board would have forbidden
my leaving the steamer. say two min
utes, but it was less than half minute
Half minute! Thirty seconds changed
my destiny.
One days stay in Cuba convinced MS
we could spend a month very happily
on the island, and discovering that Don
Fernando, the proprietor of the hotel,
had furnished house in lovely situa-
ton to let, we resolved to remain, rent
ing the house for month at fixed rate
per day. This rate included the ten serv-
ants-slaves-in the house, he to fur
nish good horses and everything except
wine. The service proved good and the
cooking exquisite. This was rather ex-
pensive, hut certainly handy kind Of
housekeeping. taking all worry and
household cares from my wife's shoul-
ders.
Our house was on q lovely slope in
full view Of the gulf of Mexico and in
the midst Of what was more like trop-
ical plantation than a garden.
made the acquaintance of General
Torbert. our consul, and was introduced
by him to me Spanish officials, includ-
ing the colonel of police. assiduously
cultivated the acquaintance of the lat
ter and frequently had him out to the
house to dinner and lunch and felt pref
ty confident that if any kilograms came
about me he would certainly bring
them to me at once for an explanation.
Even if my presence became known and
telegraphic orders for my arrest should
arrive no speedy action would be taken
and ample time given me to escape.
We had been some weeks in Havana.
1t was we'll into the month of Febru-
airy when one day, being in my ham
mock Oh the veranda, with my wife sit
.aSl