The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-03-10

1t did not take us minute
to become attached To the military,
in order TO take advantage OF the dis.
count. We had our green backs ex.
changed for Spanish gold and were
each informed that a Spanish five dol.
lar gold piece represented five dollars
and thirty cents American money, and
that we must demand the premium
when we paid our passage money.
But we learned that It was one thing
tO demand and another to obtain from
these Spaniards, and although the
Lieutenants gcsticulated and swOre a
few good round American oaths, the
Captain and pursrr remained Obdu.
rate and we were allowed only face
value for our gold, consequently your
correspondent found herself, between
the aims and the loss Of premium, far
short OF funds. But here the inter.
prefer got in his good work and there
was no trouble making necessary ar.
rangements for collecting at the end
Of the journey. Whenever conversa.
tiOn among US, an argument would at
once spring up among US on the out.
rageous conduct OF the Captain, which
was often very laughable.
The next morning we were landed
at ClenfnegOs Zone hundred nres) and
as we were to remain there four hours
we decided to visit the town. The
first sight that met our gaze was an
immense barracks. where we saw 3Q,-
600 Spanish soldiers, who were mass
cd here awaiting transport to Spain.
They were pale, emaciated and poor
ly clad. There was not cheerful
face among them all. Each c0unte-
nance impressed our entire party with
the same thought-disgust and home.
sickness. On the opposite side Of the
street from where the soldiers stood,
sat or lay in attitudes of resting, 81
great iron cauldrOns were swinging
over as many fires, filled with meat
and vegetable stew that filed the air
with an appetizing odOr. We visited
large and elegant dry goods and fan
cy dress goods store which was far SUI
perior IN neatneSs and order to any
thing We saw in Havana. The prin-
cipal hotel was our next place OF inter
est. 1t is three stories high and is
surrounded with galleries opening
into court Illled with tropical plants
in ii hourishing condition, but the
dirt and disorder spoiled an other
otherwise beautiful effect. Return
ing we strolled through the Plaza,
Fronting on the Plaza. which was very
large and filled with shade trees and
plants, was the many-columncd Gus
tom house; an elegant theatre build
ing; the one cathedral with its chime
bells ringing out the hour as we pass
ed Il row OF stores. We arrived on
beard in time for breakfast and with
an appetite to meet TRANQUILITY our
five plattcrs of chopped beef. Cein-
feugus is much cleaner than Havana;
its streets are broader and its people
display a much greater degree Of en-
ergy and thrift than We saw in the
former city.
At our next stop, Trinidad, we
parted with Lieutenant Conkling and
family, who are to make that place
their home as long as the Lieutenant
has charge Of the customs office.
Trinidad presented very c0zy ap.
pearance, nesting at the base OF a
mountain range, the green Of the yer.
durc melting away into purple as the
eye was lifted toward the summit
formed a beautiful background, while
the waters Of the glistening bay kiss.
ed It's shores. At eleven D. IN. the
Major was landed at Zunas, another
forlOrn customs port. At eight p. m.
Saturday our son was leaning over the
bow Of the steamer as she landed at
Manzanillo, and when lie sighted his
father among the crowd Of interested
spectators he sung out, "HellO, papa"
which brought that important persou-
age smiling and happy into the salon.
Among general congratulations we
made our way to the mess room,
where several of the Quartcrmaster
clerks had quarters" which were
kindly given over to the newly arrived
"mOther" OF the household.
Mrs. IDA NJ. CONVERSE.
- - @
A little boy in neighb0ring town
was required to write an essay the