The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-25

| their gates open, and give free fruit
and lunch to the boys in blue. The
population is mixed up-Chinese, JapS,
Americans and natives.
THE scenery is grand. You have
seen pictures of the palm tree in tropi-
cal climates; nothing can be painted to
compare.
1T is just about as George Taylor
said today: 1t would be a queer fellow
that wouldn't risk his life to see this.
Il think 1 told you in my letter yes
terday Of the man we buried at mid
ocean.
1t is awfully warm here this even
ms. [ have just my trousers and I'M
dershirt on, and am sweating like a
butcher.
They say the chances in the Philip
pines are so much better than here.
They must be great, for there is a great
chance to make money here.
This island is as big as the state
of Utah and has just one-fourth the
population.
There were 100 more soldiers put on
our boat today.
THE other soldiers say we have had
the most room and best treatment of
any of the transports
This would be a fine place for you.
Bananas can be. had for the picking,
and if you buy them they just cost you
) cents per dozen. The girls come to
the boat and thrC:Y fruit at the boys.
THE ladies all seem to be quite re-
ligious and very modest.
THE main church is the Christian
church. Then there are Catholics and
Mormons to a small extent.
They have the best band here L
have ever heard. 1t is all natives
Most of the boys are wishing we could
stay longer.
We are not going to expect such a
welcome at Manila as we had here.
when I wrote you yesterday / had
been on guard for "a hours and felt
pretty blue. l guess my letter was
very dull. 1 am feeling better today,
after having all could eat for the first
time since l left home.
L have been picking up, but 1 eX
pect the surplus flesh will soon go in
this warm climate.
You will receive a paper from here.
[ will leave the address, and the Y NJ.
c. A. Will send the paper. A mail
steamer will arrive here from San
Francisco in the morning. 1 don't know
if we will get our mail or not.
Il think at the least calculation it
will be 80 days before l hear from
home, and probably more.
Our chances for sending mail are
apt to be a little slim, and 1 will write
you every chance. But II you don
hear from me very often, don't worry,
but trust to the Almighty, for I don't
think there is much danger, only sick
ness.
Il am in very good health at pres
ent. Ny leg is entirely well, and the
vaccination took fine but got pretty
sore for a while. and is we'll now.
Remember me to all the people, and
tell them, the boys especially. they are
missing the best half of their life in
not being here.
zone Of the soldiers troubles is to
been tho buttons on his coat. The
girls will beg so hard, fellow must
let them go.
/ l4e~,e .shed l was home with you
several times, but still 1 don't regret
enlistin~.
And for being a soldier of fame.
the chance is slim. The only lads that
get stripes are graduates Of military
colleges or old soldiers. There is one
officer in the Dakota regiment 10 years
old-a second lieutenant.
George Taylor is with me. He says
it is just about time to go home, so 1
viii have to close. 1 don't want extra
duty the last dav in port. With love,
kisses and we'll wishes TO ali, good
night. Your prodigai son.
JAMES H. YATES