The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-15
AN UNWILLING RECRUIT.
rTE sTIRRIEG ADVENTURE OF A
HOUNGsTER IN BRAZIL.

OeHN - aA~N ~ ~
Into the Government nserviec-A SAT-,
Deiiveraucs After DodEinE Duiiets a.e
serpent" hsnGs-A"e IN the Army
Being out of employment three years ago, ]
started for New York In the hope of finding
work. There l took q room In n small hotel on
Broadway and visited various manufacto-
rios and large concernH In search of business,
Returning one evening. tired out by n day of
fruitless search. i retired early and dreamed
that ! had secured a hno place In one of New
York's largo concerns. Somewhat encouraged
by that delightful Vision, l awoke early and
started to dress myself, whom TO my horror l
found that n thief had got into my room and
helped himself to everything l had, from my
overcoat TO my trousers, without forgetting my
watch and money. All / had left was my hat
and shoes. One of the walters lent me some
clothes, and l went to the nearest police station
and made a complaint. never recovered any
thing. but in q few days I received aid from my
people In Boston.
Seeing no prospect ahead of better times, I de-
cided to 60 to Brazil. where l had q brother.
Through q friend I got q letter to Capt. Baker
of the Nichteroy, which was fitting as q man.
of-war for the Brazilian Government, but as my
physique was not up to the standard for q
marine, I had TO look for some other means of
conveyance. At last, after many rebufYs. an op-
portunity was given me to work my passage on
one Of the Lamport g. Holt line steamers bound
for Rio de Janeiro.
We put to sea the flrst of December. and I
was Immediately instructed in regard to my
duties. I had to clean brass. wash dishes, make
beds, and so on. 1 rose at 8 A. NJ. and got into
my bunk again at 10 p. M, with only a couple
of hours free to enjoy q smoke on deck.
The crockery account must have run high on
that trip. judging from tho numerous dishes
that slipped from my inexperienced hands. 1
was initiated into all the secrets Of cleaning up.
from scrubbing floors to wiping champagne
glasses. and l made o thorough study Of the
stewards Bible" This consists OF a big sand
brick with which ono imparts q shining white
meas to the floor. crawling on hand and knees, an
excellent exercise and very beneficial to the floor.
! shall never forgot the day we crossed the
equatorial line, for. Notwithstanding that l had
been duly baptized once. l had again to 60
through the CEREMONY but instead OF having
little water gently sprinkled on my head I was
duoked In . large tub. had the hose played on
mo. and was covered with q coat of tar an inch
thick. As an evidence of my gratitude To those
who oficiated. I had to treat the boys. and in
turn was myself made the recipient of Q gallon
of oil and a Eve pound bar of coarse soap. with
which I Immediately endeavored to restore
something OF my former appearance.
We reached Pernambuco on Dec. 10 and Bahia
three days later. Here We landed part of our
cargo. and, proceeding on our voyage. arrived
in Rio do Janeiro on Christmas morning. We
passed under the guns OF Fort Santa Cruz and
San Juan and had q good view of the insur-
gents squadron. The harbor presented q mag
nifcent sight, and in the evening. when all tho
foreign warships gave an impromptu umina-
" ,,e.a"a ~ -. -
never 10 De iorsot'en. Inc next oay went
ashore 70. and i proeoe s'en. 10 s snS consulate tnnm sesr ~ne, 70.
.a,aI-.,h nmo. 90 sard ,rora 90 W. h,o,ha.
Of my arrival. but 1 could not reach
MIN. as Government dispatches only were
allowed to pass. 1t is quite easy to
get a railroad ticket in Boston for
New York but | soon found out that with mar
tial law declared IN Inc e'o E, WIS s otn ,a Gu.
apolse ~, ~" -
out which che. one could no. leave the .. CITY, =, mao
business 7 came and how long intended IN
..nn at,sr T had waited haif . dav TN,
to the depot. which was occupied by tho mill.
tary. and had to pass another examination BY
the Captain in charge: Finally 1 was permitted
thing being settled I went in search Of q lodg-
,.s," 80, ~. 49, .h.ra.s ma ss ~. h.s
nttie no.ei, where tney charged me 90 lor oed'
m IN wh' samns uouia not 'ieeD Oh ACCOUNT Oh zoo
Ts.no~,day, Lac, ,,rs., p.,,o .,dr.,.hd
Inc next Jay iett ior gao fauio' ana reacneo
there about midnight. In tho morning 1 was
abb. Tn send n telegram to nv brother at OIL
-. .aut,-L III. 49, -o.Ia :. -. ono
Ve'rhs' oeiiihe nun tnati "ouio 10 'heFea'i~'oo
next day, and asking him to meet me at the
depot. Thinking Ali my troubles were over. and
with happy thoughts of soon being with nv
brother, I won't through tho city. and with q
newly made scouaInIance spent The Little money
md. keeping only lust enough for INV morn.
ing break I left Sac Paulo at s A. NJ. and
"A I was due at Oliyelras at IL: 3O. tried 10
eleep in my corner and make up for my
past sleepless nights: but / could not sleep be-
cause of the aeas, mosuuitoes, and other pests.
Al 10 We arrived at Campinas. where took
breakfast This cost me not only my last dol
AT. out also nv little yalise. which some one
Sap Lway With juat as the train was leaving. A
barefooted negro they are all barefooted thore)
aS- - trent OF me smoking ciRerros, and a
h,1ru woman sat next to me, About fifty or
siTty others were eating. smoking. and drink.
ing In the car. Add TO that n terrific heat. the
Inevitable feas, rocking cars. and wooden seats,
and you get a slight idea OF the delights of Q
trim 10 the interior on a brazilian railroad.
"A aeon as the train arrived at Oliyeiraa