The Opelousas courier., 1899-06-10
Another Letter from the Philippines.
AT SEA, U. S. S. SoLACE,
May 18th, 1899.

Il CLA1 -. ~ hJOl.lCts Z
May 18th, 1899. !
MY DEAR FATHER
l am now making the trip l have
longed to make cver since l reached
Manila. W. left there on the 22nd of
April for YOkohamnma, Japan, and ar
rived there on the 2Sth. Going up the
Sagam Sea, on tho left is the snow
capped mountains of Tugiema, and the
right volcano (forget the nancy. was
not fortunate enough to see al erup-
ton, but saw the smoke and steam
from it and the hard lava that had run
down the side of the mountain.
There were many fishing boats in the
sea, and many villages along the coast,
at the foot OF the plateau, which, rose
to a considerable height, and on the
top of which were ONE very pretty
residences.
We dropped anchor at II O'clock and
a party OF first-class men went ashore
at once W. had to pay for onr own
boats, which are called "Sand-pans,"
built sharp and stand high out of the
water: the waves were very high and
we got wet, but that don't worry u
sailor on the. contrary, they like it for
that e - little whiskey from, the
doctor. l did not walk ten feet from
lily OOdU tbll L Iuu u 1aihuCHu "IlISh
| kept all the time | was ashore. | got
my American "money" changed to ia
panese, then Went 10 4 hotel, got sup
per and a room then went to the tenn
pie of Yokohama and saw the Buddish
sect perform their devotions to their
imaginary Gods, Of which | have given
Dave" a full description. The women
Wea shoes made OF a piece of plank
with two cross pieces under it, which
gives them a failing motion for
ward they carry their babies on their
backs.
Horses are only used for hauling. as
everybody goes about in these "Riku-
chus,o which costs 1Oc per hour (5c our
money!.
saw the natives making toys, silks,
fans, etc, etc; they are expert work
men, but labor is SO cheap | can't see
how they live.
In the restaurants: on the table there
is a bamboo joint about 3 inches in di-
ameter and 3 inches high, in which they
spit while at the table; me fellow will
pick it up, spit in it and pass it on. 1t
is the most disgusting sight you ever
saw.
On the Goth l went to "Tokyo o." saw
the Kings palace, French, American
and Russian hospitals.
We weighed anchor on May 4th for
Honolulu. We crossed the 1sOth me-
ridian on Thursday, 18th, II cold day,
and next morning woke up on a Thurs
day, nth day Of May, and a warm day ;
in the evening Of this day saw a large
school OF whales spOuting; also saw
three water spOnts which gave off all
the colors OF the rainbow.
May Is we arrived at Honolulu, (tO-
day.. The halbor is surrounded by
high mountains +; the city in a low val
ley-in places you cannot see the tops
Of the mountains for the clouds. The
finest sugar plantations here ever saw
We expect to be in San Francisco 10
two more weeks, and will give the
Solace Il general o~verhauling.
l bavea lot Of China and Japan GU
riOsities to send you when | reach the
States. l will have to close and get
ready for my 4 to 8 watch. Goodbye;
love to all. Your son.
P. S.-Monday May 2O.-I was trans
to the sea-goiDg Tug Iroquois
My chief gave me choice of !
going or staying. / was anxious to get
to Frisco, but will be better off here
and in experience, as | know
the old Solace by heart. but never had
anything to do with this kind of a YES
sci. | will now have a free gang-way
and a watch every third day. Will go
ashore until Monday, as it is raining to-
day and l am on watch tomorrow.
Will write again next week and tell
you something of this country.
l sent all my trinkets by one Of my
to be expressed to you from
but l have my doubts about
you ever seeing them. Hoping you are
enjoying as good heath as l am, / re-
main Affectionate)y your sou,
J. /. S.