The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-06-30

OF the car which rolled and bobbed
and jolted over one OF the most rude.
ly constructed tracts imaginable. The
rails were held together by wires; the
road bed was all hOllows, and the ties
were made OF hewn and unhewn tim.
bcr OF various growths. When the
centre OF the track became too un-
even for the horses comfort he would
raise his feet and hop just like dog
over onto the ground alongside the
track and continue his even pace.
And he seemed to know just where
the road smoothed down again, for he
would as suddenly and unceremOniOus.
ly return TO the track and never slow
up. Watching the antics OF that IN
telligent brute and holding fast to
keep from falling out and listening to
the lively banter OF the women
around me so occupied my mind that
the scenery along the route was
scarcely noticed. Arrived at the ter
minal, short walk brought US to the
banks OF very clear but winding
stream, and scrpentine in ITS course
as the dearly loved Escatawpa. Bor-
dered on either side with royal palms
whose plumes waved a graceful well
come to the busy throng which had
gathered almost daily beneath their
meager shade these many years. 1t
was great fun to watch the disrobing,
and the other preparations for the
washing. With nothing on but Il
short skirt often SO rent as to be little
better than none, their clothing was
assorted and wadins t6their knees
into the water they sit down, lay the
garment on fiat stone and with d
board latter thoroughly soaping) they
proceed to pound the article Of ap
parel until one no longer wonders at
the slortness OF life OF our pretty ruff
fes and laces. They boil their clothes
| in great cauldrons and use lots OF
ashes lye to take out all color the
pounding failed to eliminate. The
clothes are well rinsed and starched
and laid on the grass to dry. All
hands then strip and bathe, and dress.
ing again are ready for home.
! The return from the street car is in
procession. And one can hardly i'm.
aginc more picturesque sight; with
a bundle OF clothes on their heads,
supported by one hand, the other laz-
| lily swinging at their side or support
Ing a bundle of fagOts for supper get
ting, their bearing is almost majestic,
as steadying the loads their heads are
held erect, shoulders thrown back
forcing out the chest and compelling a
very steady and even gait Looking
neither to the right or the left they
!, march down the middle OF the street.
The line thins out as the cross street
is reached which leads 20 the homes
and so on to the very outskirts at the
other end Of the town before the last
bundle passes out Of sight In the tw-
light.
The 4th Immunes departed for
Camp Meade for mastering out on the
llth Of May, after the arrival Of the
10th U. S. cavalry from San Antonio,
Texas. We were glad to see the boys
90. Glad to know their term OF mo-
notOnOus life was so soon to end. Glad
to know they would soon be freed
from the petty tyranny of incompetent
officers whose shoulder straps were
obtained by political pulls, and not
through competency or manly work
!, Our new colOred soldiers have been a
, terribly slandered lot II appearances
= count for anything. They are under
command OF Col. Whitesi1e and are O
finely drilled lot Of fellows. All the
officers are white lnen, a number OF
whom brought their families, as they
expect to remain two years. Many Of
:, this regiment we're in the famous bat
tie Of San Juan hill, Santiago, ant
many are the narrowing tales Of suf
ferlng and dying. Instances Of BRAY
, cry and herOism mOdestly told tina
= are thrillingly dramatic.
Three troops are stationed here, I;
:, :, troopOf cavalry is one hundred mel
,. and horses) and one in each Of thre
towns within twenty miles OF here
The first American to embark II
:. business for himself Is an ex.membe
. Of the 4th Immunes, and his exper
cnce with the Inconsistency Of Spar
i ish and Cuban law was quite amusing
The young man painted sign triar
= gle style advertising his wares. In tn
morning a Cuban policeman came an
!. ordered 1t Oh the sidewalk. He wa
: not accommodated and by noon thre
:, other police called, each ordering tn
: = removal Of the sign. The America
= was obdurate, albeit he was uphelt
: by the entire American party settled
= here and directly after noon the cnie
: : himself called with an interpreter t
!. = learn the reason OF the American'
;. conduct In refusing tO obey orders
|" The American maintained his righ'
y to advertise his goods aud referred th'
y chief to the Colonel. The Adjutant II
: charge OF such matters listened unit
!. the chief had finished his complain
!. when he wheeled his chair around an,
= hooking the chief full In the face, ash
!, ed him why he objected to the sigr
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