The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-09-14
Porto RicO's Fine Baths.

The excursion party from the United
States mentioned in former letter to
the Sun as on the way to the front with
the expectation of dining at nearby
hotel found even more comfortable
condition prevailing than its members
had looked forward to. They found
General Wilson'S headquarters located
temporarily at luxurious bathing es-
Enlistment near Coamo. Peace had
been proclaimed, and the second vir-
tue and duty Of man was having con-
sideration. The baths of Porto Rico
and solacing features of the campaign
to the soldiers sent here. Men who
hadn't had bath since leaving home
and did not expect one unless in an in
different stream have been delighted
to find regularly established institutions
at mineral springs, where baths could
be enjoyed in immense stone or cement
tubs at small cost. Whenever off
GERS or men have been able to get off
for a time these places have been
crowded with them. The fact that
custom here regards indifferently the
entrance of men and women together
or alone to these baths in no way de-
tered patronage, although not few
of the American warriors paid homage
to their Puritan upbringing by declar-
ing themselves duly shocked. One Off
Ger who discovered the mineral baths
of Ponce for himself one evening re-
turned to the hotel, where most of the
officers congregate when at leisure,
and declared his intention of putting
the provost guard after the establish
ment. Champions Of cleanliness per-
suaded him TO greater liberality of sen-
timent.
When the soldiers have not been
able to find accommodations at the reg
ular bathing establishments or have n ot
had time to drive to them, numbers of
them have taken possession of the
bathrooms and adjoining corridors and
balconies of the city hotels for hours at
a time, standing in line for their turn,
and several entering the bathrooms at
time, the quicker 10 accommodate all.
The hotels have done a land off &c
business, some afternoons, when the
bathrooms woul otherwise be unoc-
cupied, at twenty cents porto Rican
currency bath. A young naval Off
Ger who lacked nerve TO push himself
in among the crowd at one of the ho-
tells one afternoon, but nevertheless
wanted bath badly enough 10 wrestle
with the Spanish-,peaking servants one
after another in an effort to get them
to comprehend his want, was thrown
aback just when he was making pro-
gress by the question whether he want
ed to battle alone.
He had not been out to the mineral
baths, nor had he become acquainted
with the customs of the country.
There was much incensed British
officer, who is attached to the army at
this same hotel, one morning, when,
in pajamas and monocle, he fumed Tor
half an hour on the balcony outside
the bathroom, bath towels in hand,
fretting over the length of time the
other fellow held the room. AT last
one OF the hotel laundresses issued
thence, but the door Immediately clos
ed again. Presently the other occup-
ant came out and ran the guntlet of
the monocle. He of the monocle, be-
ing a guest of the hotel, thought he
was badly treated, but protest was use
less. AS the maid had passed he had
glowered upon her, but she merely
turned her head, raised her shoulders,
| and said in the sign language of the