The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-02-24
SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI, FRIDAY. FEBRUARY a.
At present the streets present de.
cidedly cosmopolitan appearance. The

Ciueuly COSUlOpOllJdn appearances. lie
American soldiers and sailors, United
States civilians, male and female,
Cinnamon and natives pass and re-
pass on the Plaza streets which tra-
verse the center Of the city. We had
only passing view OF the exterior of
the Palace, the immense theatre
buildings, hotels, prison, hospital, the
site of Columbus monument, and re-
gretted passing the oldest cathedral
on the island, with no chance 10 walk
down those ancient aises. or get a
view OF the altar where for so many
generations, the doctrine OF the d..
yinity had been taught to the listen
ing multitudes. Leaving the volante
we walked tn the bay shore where we
obtained an inland view of Moro
Castle. Grand, grim and majestic, it
lowered above the entrance to the
harbOr, reminding one OF a vulture
poised above awaiting its prey.
The Captain informed us that seem.
ingly from force Of habit. hundreds Of
man-eating sharks haunted the great
pool at the base of the mountain upon
which the castle stands, for from
some one of those mysterious OPEN
ings the bodies Of unfortunate prison
ers were thrown, the quickest method
OF entire removal.
Our curiosity entirely satisfied as to
MORO, we visited the wharf to see our
Louisiana and Texas boys in blue dis.
embark from the transport that has
brought them here for garrison duty.
Full Of life and energy, they were do
ing their own unloading, and we
spent an hour in happy chat with a
number Of them. A great majority
had suffered more or less from sea.
sickness, and owing 60 their packed
condition they suffered great incon-
vencncc. 1t would seem that the
commanders Of our boys would have
their welfare sufficiently aU heart to
ask the government for enough trans
ports to carry their men comfortably,
and not compel the boys to make sar-
dimes OF themselves. 1t is the COM
manders', and not the governments
fault that these Inconvenience are
forced upon our brave. handsome boys.
From there we visited the largest
store in Havana. The building occu-
pics fves acres of ground. 1t is laid
nff in departments, all leading to Il
great central court. in which vegeta-
bles and fruits of all kinds were heap
ed in confused piles on boards and
shelves and floor in greatest abun-
dance. The dry goods we're very beau
tiful and very reasonable as to prices.
All round the great square were
booths filed with all manner of toys,
cheap jewelry and fancy goods Of
every description. The clerks were
extremely polite and amiable and
seemed never to tire OF showing their
goods. As dark was fast approaching,
hurried arrangements were made for
our departure next morning for the
south shore to take the steamer for
Manzanillo. When another volante
was called and we were whirled away
toward the docks to spend our last Of
many happy memorable evenings with
the "best Capn as floats these here
waters.' There was nothing en- route
to attract. Numberless very dirty
women and nude children swarmed
the filthy doorways and stared as we
passed. Wearied with our jaunt we
soon sought our couches to dream OF
the morrOw's journey.
Mrs. IDA NJ. CONVERSE.