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

ercises and crowds throng daily t
. witness the excellent and admirable
drills, etc. The buildings and quar-
tiers are splendid structures of unique
and ornamental design well adapted
for all purposes. The environments
thereof with their numerous flower
. beds teeming with plants, ferns and
other specimens of horticulture, comb
bined with intersecting, well planned
and graded walks, lanes and drives
constitute a general aspect worthy of
delineture by a pen of more senti-
ment and skill.
Evidences of regulation. discipline,
system, tact and neatenss are abun-
dant.
The post is an admirable element
in society here, for as thoughts of war
vanish from their minds, in their pla-
ces come others, soft and delicate,
which surround the social circle, and
elevate in no small degree its many
accomplishments.
| The military spirit is preserved here
also by the Belknap rifles and the San
| Antonio Zouaves, who vie with each
other in cherishing that pride of cOun-
! try, which never deserts the natrue of
a free state. And II can be safely
| stated that not even that sacred love,
emanating from tender hearts, which
| sinks irresstably, could quench their
valOr in their country's cause.
There are also social clubs, where
the social element prevails and where
friends and acquaintance meet over
merry cheer, and without the slightest
deviation from q sober and even tenor
! of conduct.
The Grand Opera house here is de-
serving of the name and place. where
the true artist and distinguished ac-
tors and actresses cater to refined au-
diences during the theatrical season.
The practical details of the opera
house are attended to by a courteous
and affable manager, who leaves no
stone unturned in engaging the new
est and pronounced successes of dra-
matte art The profits which roll in
to his Golfers prove gratifying and
speak in no mild terms of the acquies-
ence of his patrons in his untiring eff
forts to please them.
When the sun has withdrawn his
rays and evening is made to appear
brighter by artificial contrivances,
and you wander to that territory
known as "'cross the creek" you will
behold a place in an unusual supply
of activity and livelihood. There you
will see the identical Mexican with
glittering lamps to aid his enterprise,
with his cooking utensils, dishes. ETC.,
lumgalore, and with dippers, with
whose brightness time doth
play it's capers, which finds
an often and ready de-
scent into the boiling pot ON the fire
of Goals to bring forth the chile con
carne. which is sacrificed by guests
and fellow-guests as rapidly as it is
poured into small dishes and passed
to them. 1t is a thick substance of
combination, somewhat eXhiliating
and made absolutely odious to the
uninitiated, by a too liberal pinch Of |
cayenne pepper. When the first |
guests have satisfied their supposed |
appetites, another set takes their |
place; the rusted dipper renews again |
vessel of primitive cookery. and the |
dishes, if emptied, are replenished, al
ways accompanied by water.
Certain accessories of civilization |
are used in the service of what the |
ebOnyed host considers choice food. |
Here also are dished out hot tamales, |
with corn husk habitaments. Broil-
ed spring chicken is also served, but |
rarely, as visitors with Gil their love
for this young of human species, re-
luctantly go nearer this specimen.
The host is not inQusitive; as not
question is asked as to the antece-
dents or intentions or destination of
his patrons. He not being partial to
new operations, they appearing really |
not to deserve that he should trouble |
himself to that extent. He has a
knack of his convenience being sensi-
BILE or otherwise.
His style, he considers worthy Of |
the matter and which use has made |
tOlerable to the visitors. His triumph |
is in the idea of having extinguished
for more than a thousandth time an |
appetite.
The inhabitants of the creek terri
pace with the spirit, are characters
tic establishments, wherein dame |
fortune in all her illusion is thought |
10 lurh, WHERE the erTOTS VI uuDrluleu L
youth congregate to pay their dues
to the many tables Of roulette, faro,
monte, keno and poker controlled by |
oily tongued skillful and keen opera
tors, destined to keep luck at a salts
factory distance, much to the discom>
future of those whose foolish senti- |
ments carry them beyond the sober |
boundaries. 1t is then that the bold |
adventurer who submits to the wheel |
of fortune which reigns in a pack of |