San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-12-13


house. which proved to be my habi-
tation for some time and was up the
present. On the gallery were three or
more persons engaged in conversation
which, judging from the countenance
of those participating in it, must
have been of a pleasant and agreeable
nature, for they We're 'smiles all
over" That evidently was the cause,
for in none of my possessions We're
| included shyness, or awkwardness,
for with these / had parted company
long since. l boast not the perfection
of grace or smOOthness, but am con-
scious Of an average supply of man
ners and few other points. Encour-
aged thus far, salutatiOns were next
in order, thence preliminaries. Adj
dressing an elderly lady, one of those
who had voice in the chat, inter-
rupted by my appearance, and whom
one would naturally surmise, was the
| lady of the house. for she possessed
that degree of dignity and appear
ance which would not detract from
the authority Of such a one. l start
ed to explain the object Of my Omis-
sion when she instantly sized up the
situation. for my traps were more ell
oduent of my purpose than my tongue
and with the words, please take
seat. / will call Mrs. Il. -, the
land lady," she left me.
In few moments. the mistress of
the house. mature of age, a graceful
dame. with easy step and stately
port and with meek welcome, the gen
uine article appeared. AS my proper
immp6l-
ately comprehended what was want
ed
briefly stated that what l requir-
ed and that was what l think she
most desired, for person must not be
oblivious to the fact, that such n one
has equally other important functions
that necessitates her presence ana
services. She quietly conducted me
to a well ventilated front room on the
second floor, which was neatly FUR
nished and possessed of all the requis-
ties. 1t was apparent that the room
was much benefited by the household
servant. for all the surroundings in
dicated that fact. So quartered, and
after a bath and attention to matters
that needed some little attention, L
stood prepared for the evening meal
which was shortly announced in con-
formity with long established GUS
tom. the ringing of the bell. / enter
ed the dining hall, spacious one. A
long table stood in the centre, freight
ed with edibles. and not Of the con-
densed order, but full and plenty. A
sigh of relief must have escaped me
when beheld this sight, for l still re-
| tanned some recollections of how l
| was catered to at railway stations en-
route. The offense to my appetite at
such places was to be atoned for here
| and to the credit of the good things
| that were Forthcoming and to be Serv-
ed to the boarders it is needless to say
1 accorded full justice to them.
After supper l smoked a cigar and
meditated as to how San Antonio
should be viewed, what was her re-
sources. what of her people, their GUS
toms. characteristics. her rank with
other cities, her educational institu-
lions, her climatic influences and
such other virtues or vices that re-
fleet to her merit or demerit, can
did and brief description of which L
considered to pen, from my own stand
point, paying tribute to that which
deserved it, and if otherwise to be as
lenient and consistent, for there is
no error so simple but assumes some
marks of virtue on its outward parts.
The state of Texas as is well known
| is of immense domain. One of its
congressional districts alone outrank-
| ing in territorial limits, sa it is claim
ed, that of the state of Illinois. The
| state is divided into counties and to
Bexar county is accredited the larg-
est city in the state, that OF San An
tonic. the metropolis of the Western
Texas, with a population of 10000.
and one of the old historic cities of
| the state. The San Antonio river
runs in a circuitous course through
| the principal portions of the city, ne
cessitating the erection of numerous
stationary bridges, both for traffic
and passengers. Hence at first view
one would be apt to style San Anto-
MO "a city of bridges" and he would
not commit great error. The river
| is not susceptible Of navigation on ac-
count of its shallowness, without ref
erence to it's many turns and crooks
and other impediments. The finny
tribe are not super-abundant therein
and a violation of the fish law would
furnish no Incentive to drop your rod
there. This class of sport is to be
found to ones hearts content in a
spot not far distant, at Rockport. The
current of the river at times proves
to be little rapid, though one would
not be inclined to think so when look
ing down at the blueish, clear water
from one Of the many structures of
| wood and iron that crosses it. It's
banks are covered with abundant and
thick foliage comprised of pecan trees,
dew berry vines Of limited growth,
banana trees, water lilies, ferns and
various other shrubbery which adds
to its beauty and makes it an object
dear to sightseer. The springs at
the head of the river and numerous
artesian wells, yielding flow of thou
sands of gallons of water daily. ac-
cording to the diameter of the pipes,
are the sources of the water supply
for the city, which system in vogue,
by the way, is fully adequate for