The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-27
HEARD IN A SPANISH DILIGENCE.
An American Woman's Notes of
Recent Journey From San Fernan-
do to Gibraltar.

do TO Gibraltar.
From the n. Y. Independent.
The diligence pompously called La Ma
! drilena, proved to be a shabby omnibus
shaped vehicle, with narrow aisle, wooden
shutters. and no ventilation to speak Of
Built TO hold eight persons, it was actual
| ly destined TO carry nine. Six a. m. was the
hour appointed for leaving san Fernando;
but it was nearer before the guardia, gun
in hand, climbed to his post of observation
on the roof; then the cochere gathered up
the reins with a gutteral ARE ARE" to
his mule tandem; the hostler threw stone
at the leader to stimulate his struggling
efforts at a start; the ninth passenger, a
small boy, was tossed in upon the cramped
knees Of his predecessor, and with GO
you with God, ladies and gentlemen" from
the landlord of the dirty little posada, we
were en- route for Gibraltar.
With the national dread of fresh air
and drafts. the shutters were kept closed
six cigarettes were liz Immediately, and
the outer world visible only through a
small window in the upper half of the door
seemed to recede in a haze of smoke.
One of the passengers, a silent, sad-eyed
young fellow, got out at the first station,
and an old peasant. evidently an acquaint-
ance, crowded into his place. The last COM
er explained that the chico had been con
scripted for active service at the recent
| quinta, but as the only remaining son of
an infirm mother-two brothers were al
ready in Cuba-he had hoped for release
and had been to Cadez to secure 1t. The
| only satisfaction received had been a
promise that the matter would be investi-
/ gated, and, If the other two sons We're real
ly in Cuba, he would then be granted i'm
munity from military service; but in the
| mean time he must be drafted into The re-
serve in Spain! "And,what is to become of
| the old mother while he wats?" added
/ the peasant.
! Il knew of a similar case" said one of
! the passengers, where it was eight
months before the result of the investiga-
ton was known; in the mean time the
chico had been sent to Cuba and had died
| there"
IF Spanish laws were just and rich
and poor alike were made to serve their
turn in the army, fewer peasants. would
be conscr!pted and there would be less
misery amoung the helpless" exclaimed
another passenger.
| AT this speech. everybody looked sur
| prised none more so than the peasant,
who was evidently ma accustomed to hear
one of the favored classes enter a protest
against the existing conditions Murmurs
of disapproval were heard.
But the good of the country demands
that the governing classes remain at home
to guide public affairs during the present
! perilous crisis"
What would become of the treasury
without the millions Of pesetas received as
redemption money!"
such sentiments are socialistic and tend
/ to anarchy"
But at this juneture, fortunately for the
! harmony of the fellow travellers, this
! threatening theme of conversation was
suddenly punctured by the sharp report
of firearms.
The coach came TO a halt With a jerk;
the guardia scrambled down from the roof
| the men preciptated themselves into the
| road and started about them; we followed
with the boy and stared also. Nothing was
! to be seen but the cocked-hat and blue
! coat OF the soldier as, with gun at ready
| he trotted over the hin to the sea.
| "Smugelers" said the cochero. laconi-
| cally, climbing down from his box and inn
! proving the time OF waiting by gathering
| a pile of stones to throw at the tandem
! when We should be again on the way
/ In less than half an hour our guardia
| accompanied by two others Of his kind. re-
turned, dragging between them a wiry lit
! tie peasant IN round Jacket and knee
| breeches, with large bag thrown over his
| shoulder. The cochero furnishing the
! thongs the fellows hands were tied his
feet strapped together, and without more
ado he was hoisted ON TO the roof there 70
| lie crouched among the bags and boxes
/ while the guardia kept watch.
! This diversion caused the conversation
TO turn on smuggling, which. though not
4 so openly active as formerly. still -four
( ishes. The smuggler is still the PEASANTS
! benefactor and hero. The universal con-
! sumption of tobacco, and the enormous
duties Matchmaking 1t profitable to buy
IN almost any other market and sell in
! Spain--offer an irresistible temptation to
1 illicit traffic.
This fellow has been caught in the act
Of bearing off a package of tobacco Just
! landed without the ceremony of passing