The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-09-04


4 ! Naples, according to no
+! -! i anthority than Baedekeer. has
1lation Of more than half . mil
~ 1nd 10 Ia some parts more density
"a than any city In the world.
!. ~ OF Naples has through CEN
ssaess been the admiration of travel
Nature has beautifully lavished
1t gitts. Owing to climate, cereals
srOM lnxuriantly under the shade of
lemon, peach, olive and vine. so'that
land may besseen bearing two crops at
once, but with all that nature has
dome FOR this locality, were it not for
Ithe treasures Of Pompeii aad the WON
sders OF Vesuvius, few tourists would
care TO visit 1T. I write this letter
after spending four days here, and
|ahalls give you my impressions as best
Lean. Many times have heard it
said ssee Naples and die" I have
reason to believe that but a brief stay
~ many parts Of this city would mean
death compulsory. True, there are
sthings to admire. The famous drive
Way along the seashore, the beautiful
bay, and ut night the city when liz up
With lights along the seashore and far
up the hillside, all present a pleasing
and attractive appearance. But Ma
Piles as I see it is one of the most
poverty -striken, exacting, contempti-
BILE spots In this universe. Now for
the proof, with a Scotch friend aud
my readers, we will 60 through some
OF the principal streets and alleys. II
- evening. Listen to the CHATTER of
wheels, the braying Of donkeys and
the shouting Of drivers, hawkers are
sinEl0nd tones advertising their wares.
We have to step into the streets from
the sidewalk twenty times Ia twice as
many yards, as the walks are so mar.
row. Now we hear pleading tones and
- beggar asks five confines for Gods
sake. We go around a corner, here
stands q devout beggar with hands
goutstretched. eyes turned heaven
ward, lips moving (supposedly in pray
ser) and we, to develop, and not retard
his religious enthusiasm, give him a
penny. On We 60 through the crowd
until we arrive at the Peoples Square.
Here the military band dispenses mu-
sic. and the populace drink their beer.
Wine or more temperate drinks.
Thousands spend from six O'Clock in
the evening to twelve at night here.
Let US be seated, we have scarcely
done so when peddler observes US
and at once presents his wares. eiRh-
teen francs is the price Of the article.
he then, after assuring you of it's
valuable properties, says fifteen francs
and proceeds to wrap 1t up and push
II toward us. II we care for the arti.
Gle we offer three or four francs and
the goods are ours. Everything has
TO be bargained for and the natives,
when making purchases, II they are
not satisfied with the price say what
do you take me for, English or Ameri-
CAM" Aye, but we have scarcely got
ridof the peddler before there pre-
sents himself well-dressed gentle
man surely some disinterested person.
Nay, he is but what we call 'sa news
boy. Just think Of u man with full
beard, well dressed selling newspa-
pers. or worse still, slipping up and
asking for penny. Many times have
I had beggars ask, who were better
clothed than ] am. But let us move
on. It's $50 and we go to the place
where congregate the common people
to drink and smoke. "Simon SAYS
thumbs up'' in Italy MS 10 America.
Here are the people who can't afford
beer or wine, SO they sit and sip min
eral or ice-water at ABOUT cent a
glass.
Now we take cab. zone franc" we
say to the driver. After driving for
the time bargained for he demands
two francs, and after we positively re-
fuse, he submits, receives the franc.
but with hat in hand pleads'for a pen.
ny. Such cringing manners and gross
attempts at extortion surely cannot
be surpassed on this earth. Its now
eleven o'clock and we turn toward our
hotel. Let US keep our eyes open as
We 60 along. See, lying there sleep.
ing soundly on the hard pavement Is a
man, a little further along are two
boys about twelve years of age. One
has his head pillowed on the others
shoulder, both sound asleep. Here to
the right 10 group Of four or five
'sleeping and the crowd pushes past
taking no notice whatever.
One night In q walk Of twenty min.
utes, I counted at II O'clock 4s sleep
ing on the pavement. many of them
with iust one article of clothing IN