The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-03-10
En- Route to ManzaniIlo.

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MASzASILlo, CUBA, Feb. 81, 1899.
Editor Democrat. Star.
The depot at Havana the morning
Of our departure, was a typical Chica-
gn depot in miniature. Our tickets
were purchased, we obtained our seats
and were whirled out into the early
dawn OF bright day, in the usual
conventional style, travelling the dis
tance Of forty miles at the rate Of flf-
teen miles an hour. We passed the
Chinese quarters, the negro settle.
ments, and thence to the open cOun-
try. The scenery was entirely new to
us, and very interesting. Tie cocoa.
nut, the remains of banana fields,
with here and there an erect stock
standing like a brave sentinel who
dcfes the storms. The Cuban ham
lets. thatch rooted, with very few in
habitants visible, and those too list.
less to bctray the least curiosity or
excitement at our passing. Then,
| like an oasis, there came to our view
most perfectly kept vegetabl" gardens.
| the rows of lettuce, radiSheS, young
cabbage. etc. gave us happy antcipa-
tions Of delicious salads to be enjoy
ed in the near future. These gardens
were kept by Cinnamon. who scarcely
raised their eyes from their sprinklers
as we passed from view. At the three
stops made en- route we bChcld with
aching heaits the results in dccaycd
humanity of war, peStilcncC and
famine" The hcggars were allowed
to enter the train and ask for aims of
the passengers, and who could refuse?
At the risk OF being short in our pas
sage money we just had to yield to
the piteOus appeal. Our lunch box
had been passed through the window
of the coach unopened before the train
came toa full stop. The emaciated
forms, the deep sunken eyes, those
skeleton hands raised in piteOus ap-
peal will never pass from memory.
Arrived at Batabano, built on the
shores Of the Caribbean sea, we were
sent aboard at once, but the walk
from the train to the steamer was all
We cared to see Of the village. Dirt,
squalOr and desolatiOn were Its high
est recommendations. We parted
company here with brave Captain
from the regular army, who was as
signed to customs duties at that port.
lie was accom- panied by his brave and
beautiful wife. When we offered our
consolation she said, "Yes, it Is the
most desolate spot on earth, but how
could my husband endure it alone?"
The day was perfect, the sea smooth
and the steamer elegant, and Ms she
plowed her way through the most
beautiful green sea, delicately white
capped, never once losing sight Of the
shore, which gave US the endless en-.
joyment Of ever varying scenery, VIC
felt, while lOunging in the shade of
the stern In pleasant converse with u
merry party Of our own countrymen,
that never again would we 6nd more
real pleasure in travel than we were
then enjoying. Meals were served
Ia Cubana. Coffee from six to eight,
break fast at eleven, dinner at four p.
m. and coffee again ut eight p. m.
Breakfast consisted OF five platters
OF chopped beef, one cooked In garlic
and herbs, one Ia red peppers, another
with tomatoes, another mixed with
green peas, while the flfth was garn-
ishcd with peeled and baked potatoes.
Fried red snappers, bread, no but
ter, plenty Of wine and export beer,
with pine apples, bananas and canned
peaches for dessert. Our dinners were
a repetition Of breakfast, supplement.
ed with very good soup. Our cots or
berths were cane seats covered with
linen sheets, the pillows were made OF
moss and were regular neck breakers.
Our party consisted Of q Major, two
Licutenants. one accompanied by his
wife, children and maid. A million
aire Vermontcr, who just 'came
down TO look around n Bit" A pos
tai clerk, who was also the patSy's inter
prefer, In charRe0f eighteen immense
bags OF Christmas mail which nc was
trying to get to Puerto Principe,
your correspondent and the children.
We had but one lICtle cloud to mar the
sunshine OF our trip. We learned on
the train that single frst.class tick
et from Batabano " Manzanillo was