The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-03-13
A LAND OF PERPETUAL SUMMER.
Editors Among the People Who Politely
Salute and Rob You at the Same
TirpR

GUADALAJARA, MEX, March 2, '96.
Would you own the earth? Would you
travel like Prince of the line? Would you
be served by all men and be treated like a
King? Then become an editor and go TO
Mexico. Last Thursday we were given
special cars by the Mexico & Vera Cruz
railroad and started on trip 10 the Gulf
For three hours we rode over sandy plains,
the wind was blowing gale and the sand
was thicker in the air than snow flakes in
northern blizzard, we could not see fifty
feet from the car, and in spite of closed
windows we were nearly suffocated. We
were not crossing desert either, but were
really on very fertile plain. men were
working in gangs like small army, getting
the ground ready for planting when the
rains come on. Then this dry place will
blossom and be delight to the traveller.
After dinner we struck the down grade,
falling 5000 feet in 100 miles, making the
in about six hours. They simply
loosen the brakes at Esperanza and the
train starts down one of the most beautiful
canons in America-we creep along the
sides of steep precipces, twist around sharp
curves, plunge through tunnels and over
high bridges. The little valley hundreds of
feet below, divided into patches green and
yellow by the meadows and grain fields
looks like a rich carpet, and the men and
ba xxyind ne N
smaller than Brownies. We stop at a
watering station and get out of the cars
the sun is almost directly above aud beats
down fiercely upon us; the mountain sides
are green with"fOliage and the charming
valley below makes never to be forgotten
picture. Indian girls met US with orchids
to sell, gathered from the trees in the val
ley; we board the train and go around
curves for 13 miles and stop at station in
the valley, and behold here are the same
girls and the same orchids now offered at
half price. We are directly below our for
mer stopping place, and while we had been
winding in and out for 13 miles to make the
descent the Indian girls have .rotted down a
steep path and have beaten the train into
the station. The brakes are lO0sened again
we 90 through narrow gorges with steep
walls high above us and brawling river
rushing and rumbling over the rocks below
us; the gorge is so narrow we can almost
reach the opposite side from the cal
windows. After two hours of this continu-
al down grade, we reach the lower lands
and gradually glide into the tropical coun-
try-with every mile the rank tropical vege-
tation increases; ;there are banana plantations,
coffee trees in full blossom, oranges in full
fruit and blossom. there are cocoanut trees
with the clusters of nuts under the bunch
of leaves on the top of the tall stem, and
giant cactus trees-they are trees here-the
woods are full of blossoms, bright red and
yellow flowers that are beautiful to behold
and through the tangle of luxurious growth
we catch a glimpse of huts made of cane
poles and covered with steep thatched roofs.
There are dusky little natives gathered
about the little yards-I can best describe
their dress by saying it is decidedly Eden
like. If the women were sitting at ban
Quet in large northern city they would
certainly be in the height of style-only il
wouldn't do for the reporter to look under
the table.
We reached Vera Cruz at dark, and after
supper started out for stroll, going about
aimlessly hoping some ''fine instinct of my
feet" as Mr.. Lowell puts it, would lead me
to some scene or adventure. Hearing music
1 followed the sound and came upon the
Plaza, or public square, and behold all
Vera Cruz was out for promenade, The
band discoursed sweet music from the ele
vated stand in the midst of the little grove
in the center of the Plaza, and about it was
broad well paved promenade, the womer
all went one way in the center of the walk
while the men formed two professions
going in the opposite direction on the sides
Could there be better arrangements Spanish
eyes haye full play under such circum
stances. We joined the outside line ant
marched-and-well, looked of course
Whenever people pair Off they leave the pro
cession and take seats on benches on eithe
side of the promenade or in the little grove
Cah you imagine the scene? The brigh
southern sky, the tropical grove, the quain
and curious people, the old, old building
bordering the square, the stained tower o
the old cathedral keeping watch and ward
and over all and through all floating th
strains of the band? You can't, am sur
you can't, and am not able to fitly describ
it to you. You can only come down her
and see it for yourself. Europe holds moth
ing more foreign or more strange. di'
not think it possible that five days travel OF
the western continent could produce civil
ization and people so entirely differen
from ours. 1t Is worth sacrifice and an ei
effort to come and see 1t. We were up at
a. m. and went back over the same route
which was even more beautiful In the morn
ing's light, reaching the City Of Mexico