The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-04
AN GRAFTON IN PUERTO RICO.
The Mistaken Enthusiasm of Natives
Over the Eloquence of a Georgian.
Menu York Sun

(New York Sum-
Ponce was extremely stupid. The
warlike days were over. No more regi-
ments of soldiers were marching
through the dusty streets, behind the
with bayonetted rifles, no longer pa
| trolled in the silence of the night to
| keep in check the riotouS Americans
effervescing with patriotism and
Puerto Rico rum. The French hotel,
where the invaders from the great re-
public had been wont to gather and
hold converse of their conquestS over
high balls and self-made cocktails, was
deserted and dull. Business had revived
among the natives, and American CAPT.
tai had already begun to filter in. but
this was net thrilling the men who had
gone thither seeking for new sensa-
lions. Even at the Playa, where the
WharyeS were, there was something
missing There were no more grim,
gray battleships in the harbor, with
their guns pointed shoreward, and blue
marines, rifles in hand. in silh Ouette
upon the decks. There were no more
dirty transports, Oelching out flom
their holds grimy, greasy soldiers,
eager TO drive the Spaniar'l5 rom the
island. Relaxation was everywhere.
1t showed in the bearing of the women,
who had lost that look of startled in
terest which they had at first in all the
doings of the newcomers. 1t showed
in the manner of the men, who had
ceased to crowd about Americans, I'M
less there was something out of the
ordinary to attract their attention.
1t was this atmosphere that had
seized upon a number of young Ameri-
can Adventures in Ponce, and made
them long for something to stir their
blood once more. They were living on
a side street off the plaza, in house
of their own. They had rented it en-
tire, installed their own servants and
bought and borrowed enough furniture
TO make it habitable, and were keeping
house in their own haphaZard way.
They were extremely proud of their ac-
QUESTION, maintaining with many airs
that it was the very SWEETEST part of
the town, Notwithstanding that little
pickaninnies from the houses on either
side gathered daily on their front steps,
as naked as the day they came into the
world. And, in truth it was much bet
ter than living at any of the hotels,
where guests were piled five and six in
a room no bigger than an ordinary
American clothes closet.
One day one of these young men
learned the fact that it was just TWEEN
ty-nine years ago that he was born |
down on Georgia plantation. There !
fore there must be a celebration in
keeping with the magnitude of the an
niversary. 1t began in the afternoon |
and continued through the greater part
of the evening, by which time merri-
ment was above par. Everyone felt |
bully despite the dinner, which con-
sisted mainly of Goldfish, beans and |
rice, supplemented by a raid on the
canned goods of the army commissary.
1t was not the food that had done it,
but the drink, and tongues were wag-
ging at that rate which has usually
been reached after the thirteenth bowl.
The Georgian who was celebrating
his natal day was a tall, red-headed
chap, with pronounced gift of gab
He had once been professor of elocu-
ton down his way. and he could
spread-eagle with the best Georgia
cracker that ever stumped that state.
And the inspiration came to him. hav-
ing been well dined and wined. to adj
dress the native Puerto Ricans so re-
GENTLY made quasi citizens of his own
country. There was no difficulty about
an audience. The quantity of noise that
had been let loose within the confines
If the house had escaped into the street
20 such an extent that there were at
east 500 natives standing outside in
Yild-eyed wonder at the proceedings
within. They imagined, apparently,
another to death. Hence. when the red
headed Georgian threw wide the shut
cred doors and stepped upon the plaza
| murmur of joyous surprise ran
through the crowd. Striding to the
'ailing around the piazza which over
cooked the street, the orator buttoned
lis linen coat about his tall. spare fig
Ire. and began.
My brothers de Puerto Rico" he
aid, with roll of his RS that at once
stamped him as a born actor kept from
,ehind the footlights by an incompre-
lensive fate. ~
viva Americanol' shouted the
rowd, understanding the name Puerto {
Rico. which was In itself a great COM
'liment to the speakers Spanish ac-
eat. ~
MY dear brothers de Puerto Rico" I
epeated the orator, why don't you /,