Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-25
THE SPANISH CAPTAIN.

Ism cruiser lZcaya on TUESDAY. WeO-
nesday he was at home to the newspa
per men. 1t was no formal, pre-an-
nounced eceptioD, but when several re-
porters sent word to the Spanish cap
tain from Tompkinsville that they
Y ull be pleased to visit his ship, he
seut word back that be would be glad
to see them. If the captain can make
il as pleasant for an enemy when his
decks are cleared for action ss he can
for friends in his cabin. he is a fighter
IF II e highest class. When the captain
tn1 his guests were seated about his
table Midshipman Sanchtz Farragut
was called upon to interpret. The
IN d shipmsn's name sugges ed the in
uuiry as TO whether he was in any way
rrlated 10 Admiral FArragut. The
ujdshipman smil d al the question, and
'apt Eulate asked what he was smll
a. at. When he found out, he said:
L should not be surprised. My mid
ipman was born on the island of Mi
rca, of the coast of Spain, and if |
member rightly, it was from Mlnorca
at your great admiral's progenitors
me-
Then in answer to the question as to
ow long the Vlzcaya would remain
IRE, Capt. Eulate said
Our stay is rather indefinite
link, however, we shall he three or
our days longer. We shall flush coal
,rg by tomorrow afternoon if all goes
veil. After that l shall leave only
Uh-n am ordered so to do"
When asked if he hesitated at all
bout taking on American coal, the
Captain took the question as a joke.
,ui laughed heartily. When he had
ughed for some time, he answered:
why should hesitate about taking
on American coal? 1t is good to burn,
sn't it? But know what you mean
You think | might be afraid of Ameri.
can coal exploding Lam not in the
least afraid. | would never have
thought of such 3 thing had not some
one translated something about it out
of one Of your papers.
I've have had most charming time
since we have been here" continued
he Captain. 1--WE Rave been received d
.verywhere with the greatest cor
i.lity. That which has Impressed me
.uost in your beautiful city is the great
curry everybody seems 10 be in. Every
BODY hurrles. The men and women
hurry up and down the streets and the
noats hurry up and down the harbor.
| should think you would all get so
ired, but you don't seem to.
at would be strange, however, if |
didu't admire everything American.
NV wife is an American"
That surprised everybody and the
Captain noted the surprise and laugh
ed. Tnen he continued:
Yes, my wife is an American. hut
not a native of the United States. She
is q Porto Rico lay She and my
children are there now. That is my
home when Pm not on duty. l was
born in Spain, but since my marriage
nv home has been in America, IN
Porto Rica."
The Captain then called the second
officer, Manuel Roland, and instructed
him to show his guests over the ship.
When the tour of inspection was COM
pleted Capt. Eulate, standing by the
ships rail and looking toward the city,
said:
"Ah! New York is so much finer
than London. | could wish that my
orders to leave would be long delayed" "
"What have you most admired since
YOU have been here ?" the captain was
asked through Midshipman Farragut.
Without hesitation this answer was
given.
The New York women. They are
b 4autiful and they are brilliant. II they
sre types OF the women of the United
States, then you have the most lovely
womeu in the world, with the excep.
tion of very few in Porto Rico. l
know of one lady there who is, in
truth, the lovliest woman in the world
Capt. Eulste didn't sWile as ne said
this. but his face lighted up in way
that convinced one that the highest
the Commander Of the Viz
caya has for any woman is for his wife.
The interview ended when the captain
told the newspaper men that both he
and his officers had been impressed with
the fairness with which most of the
New York newspapers had treated the
visit of the Vizcaya and had presented
the news of the terrible disaster in ha-
yana harbor.