Semi=weekly graphic., 1899-01-07
i.N DEVILS ISLAND.
A SAILORS ACCOUNT OF HIS VISIT TO
 CAPTAIN DREYFUs.

Life of the Convict-He Cannot Go Any where on the Island Without Two Guards at His HeeIs-Copies of His Letters Are Forwarded and Originals Retained,
 Karl Welnbeber, cook of the Neither land steamship Andalusia, gives this account of a visit to Devils Island:
 The captain sent me to the island, and while busy in the little kitchen instructing a soldier in the mysteries of broiling lamb chops and cooking pork, had plenty of opportunity to question Captain Dreyfus' guards. The men, who at first seemed disinclined to speak, became, quite loquacious after while. "He' was not so ilI-treated as those in the world seemed to think; "he" is not confined; "he" can go everywhere on the island. Of course, two men are always at his heels. He" gets up between and in the morning, and his first breakfast consists of 8 cup of chocolate If the weather is good The" goes for walk soon afterward, and winds up his promenade by a bath.
 But are you not afraid he might swim away or commit suieide?' l asked.
 Not at all" said the soldiers, flor a rope is fastened to both his wrists, and the ends of the rope are in the hands of the guard. After tho bath he takes his second breakfast-butter, bread, ham or eggs and bottle of beer. Then he goes in for study. He reads and writes for several hours"
 What kind of books has he got?" The soldiers looked at each other. Af- ter a while one of them said: He is only allowed to read technical works. But he can write whatever he pleases." 7"
 Must he show you what he writes"
 No; we read only the letters he desires to have forwarded. These are sent to the commander in Cayenne"
 And does the commander send them off as recetved?"
 NO; they are copied. and the orig inals are retained at Cayenne"
 What does he do besides reading and writing?"
 We received permission from the commander to play cards with the prisoner, and he has become an in- Yeterate gambler. After dinner-he has always soup, roast and dessert-- about 2 o'clock in the afternoon we always play baecarat together"
 What are the stakes?"
 The soldier laughed. "He has not got a sou, and there are probably not three francs on the whole island. We play for shells. The prisoner gets his supper at 6 in the eyening-roast or ham and a bottle of beer. Soon after- ward he goes to bed. He is not al- lowed to have any light, you know. Only the guard at the door keeps up a wood fire"
 Is he allowed to smoke?'
 NO; that is I think he is not, for the commander does not furnish him tobacco"
 May I leave some cigars for him?"
 The soldier did not answer. l emp- tied my tobacco pouch and my cigar case on the table. hope he got what l left for him.
 As was about to return to my ship, I saw man, followed by two soldiers, approaching from the strand. Drey- fus! He seemed to have heard of my presence, and measured me with ques- tioning looks. His lips moved, but he did not speak. He is a middle-sized man, cadaverous and of a yellow com ] plexion. His eyes are deep in their sockets, he walks with a stoop, and his forehead is furrowed. He is grow ing old rapidly, no doubt. Mrs. M. c. Freeman, the efficien steHographer for Gen. H. F.. White leaves Saturday morning for Littl Rock, where she enters in the rae for Clerkship in the House of Repre- sentatives. Our best wishes are fo her success.