The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-30

From Our oldier-correspondent.
SAN FERNANDO, Luzon. p. l., July
sl.-I believe every one has heard OF
rainy season" in the Philippines ever
blree he took enough interest in the
archipelago to hunt up an atlas and find
whether or not there were two rs"
IN the spelling. We. too, had heard
Of such a period. When a volunteer
truthfully described some Of the events
which would follow in the wake OF the
deluge, we slyly wlnked at each other
and mentally put the innocent volun-
teer down as having long since gradu-
nted from Sunday school without be-
Ing thoroughly imbued with the doc
tl1nes inculcated there.
II we could find them, we would hum
by beg the volunteers pardon now.
Thls morning as We were steering our
mess table back from fortunate lodg-
laent in bamboo clump, u passing
chino" indicated that the water
would rise four fet higher. That would
cover every square inch Of land surface
within q radius of lfty miles, except
ing the railroad at Mt. Arayat, but no
one doubted the "Chino's" word, and
we promptly holsted the whole mess
outfit into the attic of the highest de-
serted house on the street.
But, seriously speaking, the down
pour is something appalling. For five
days there has been n glimpse OF mel
Their sun nor stars. Unlike heavy
rainfall elsewhere. there is no cessation
to this. The latest papers from Ma
Mia state that there was fall OF 7.S9
inches in that city during the previous
twenty-four hours. and surely San Fer
nando has not been behind the times in
this respect. You often wonder, when
you first land, why the natives build
such odd houses, perched so high in
the air that a ladder is often necessary
to reach the first floor. II you remain
here a while you are ready to admit
that the native knows more about the
business than you do. Into this aeria!
abode the family brings a liberal sup
ply OF rice and unmatured pInts, and,
while the floodgates are open, the whole
household lets business affairs take
care of themselves, and stays at home.
The soldier, unfortunately. can't take
lie in such u restful attitude. There
seems no decrease in Mr.. Aguinaldo's
ambition to get into the city. and the
season has but added to the rigors Of
outpost duty.
Dresses as he Pleascs.
One blessing has come to the regular
with the advent OF the rainy season. He
can now dress as he pleases. Except
when campaigning, every one hereto
tore. has been compelled to wear
"fun Khakie uniform, with blouse
tightly buttoned" at every formation of
his company. No matter how hot the
day or II you were there simply to an
swer a roll call, the blouse must be
buttoned, and your leggings carefully
laced.
The volunteer could drill In his paja-
mas, If they were best suited TO his
comfort. but the poor regular must
needs appear in all he owned. But when
the long road to the outpOsts became
waist deep for over half its length, AMI
still there were no signs Of clearing
weather. the formal order came to al
low each man to dress as h,Sshose. l
believe the company drew more real
amusement from its last trip to the
outposts than a muslc-loving audience
would from a standard light opera.
When the assembly sounded there
were many vain attempts to stand at
n studied attention" while the roll was
called. All but two OF the company
were bare-footed and bare-legged,
blue flannel shirt. rubber pOncho reach
ing almost to the Knees, campaign hat
and rifle forming the most usual at
tire.
In the blanket roll. carried under the
poncho, we're trousers and complete
change OF clothing. one poor Irish
man who had somehow lost both pom
cbo and flannel shirt. appeared but
dimly through the never-ceasing down
pour. clad in n long night robe. which
formed an artistic background for the
outlines Of his heavy cartridge belt
hayersack and canteen. When we ar
rived at the huge sugar house which
shelters the reserve from which the
outposts are drawn. It was found that
the Irishman had unintentionally hit
upon the true philosophy OF how to
reach an outpost properly. These thin
army ponchos are worse than useless
in heavy rain, and the son OF Erin
was the only one to emerge from the
fracas entirely dry when change OF
oIothlnr was made. As might be i'm
ngIncd. preponderance OF new Gle.
ment in the life here has worked
change In the number and position Of
our outpostp. The trenches could be
inhabited only by water buffalo at pres
ent. and many OF the sentries are post
ed on small RATS sheltered behind
clumps Of the sul visible bamboo.
There Is some satisfaction In knowing
tina, the other fellows arc being as
thoroughly soaked as you are. As II
moved by an unusual feeling OF pity or
else touched by the iudIcrousness OF the
whole affair neither side shows nm In
clinntlon to open fire on the other We
can plainly see an outpost OF nearly
naked natives anchored on some sort
OF coutrivanee to a elump OF trees