The Republican., 1900-08-23
NUMBER "a.
BOUND TO HAVE ALL.
Government Oflcials Overhaul Rath
bones Effects

HAVANA, Aug. Is (by maiD Estes
q. Rathbone, former Director Gener-
al of Posts for Cuba, has moved from
the Cerro Palace and with his wife
and young son has taken quarters at
the Hotel Trocha, in Vedado, a sub
urb.
When Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow published in his re-
port that Rathbone had purchased
and charged to the Government arti-
cles of personal adornment for him
self and wife, which were included in
the bill for furnishing the house at
Cerro, Rathbone simply said that an
inventory had been kept of all the
goods purchased, that they belonged
to the Government and would be re-
turned to the Government when he
gave up the house.
The day appointed for the surren-
der of the residence was yesterday.
Director of Posts Fosnes, a clerk and
stenographer, with bound volume
OF Bristow's report and all the vouch-
ers for house furnishings, went out
early to see that none of the Govern
ment property was carried away with
Rathbone's effects. Attached to one
of the vouchers was this memoran-
dunn:
Insist on Rathbone turning over
an overcoat bought for himself, 90
yards of dress goods, one lot of lace
and 90 pairs of stockings for Mrs.
Rathbone and one dog collar"
Now, Rathbone, where's that over
coat?" asked Director Fosnes.
"Overcoat! l haven't any over
coat" said Rathbone, astonished at
the thought that he would burden
himself with an overcoat in Cuba.
'But here it is itemized, 'Overcoat
$10.'n
"Oh that isn't an overcoat,' said
Rathbone; that's a sham coat that's
thrown over the coachman's seat as
a matter of style. It's in the carriage
now.'
Investigation brought to light a
sleeveless, backless and buttonless
parody on an overcoat.
Rathbone was compelled to call in
his wife to consult her about the
dress goods.
YES" she said, II remember the
item very well. The material is a
sort of cheap dress goods. [ made a
petticoat out of it for the BEDS
Upstairs went Fosnes and his two
assistants. Sure enough, around the
bottom OF the beds hung the "petti-
coats" They were not removed
Then came the climax. There was a
whispered conversation among the
three and Mr.. Rathbone was asked if
he would, without further troubling
his wife by calling her in, request her
to send in the so pairs of stockings
shown in the bill.
Stockings? l never bought any
stockings" said the former director
with some warmth. "Where's the
bill?''
Here it is" said Fosnes. This
item-'50 pr. hose"
Hose? That's 80 feet of hose-gar-
den hose. You'll find that out in the
yard"
But the dog collar. There was a
charge of so cents for one on the bill
That is still unnacounted for. Is this
collar on the dogs neck the one that
is mentioned in the bill? If it is it
belongs to the Government"
THAT cellar" said Mr.. Rathbone.
was given to Mrs. Rathbone by Miss
Nevins. She bought and paid for it
at the same store at which these
other goods were bought. She re
quested that it be sent to Havana
with the other articles, and if it was
charged on the bill it was by mis-
take
Mr.. Rathbone refused to give up
the collar, making sworn statement
that it was his property. The Gov
ernment, however, will not take this
as sufficient evidence of ownership
and has sent a notary and messen-
ger in search of Miss Nevins, who is
nurse in an eastern province, to secure
her statement.
Houseseekers' Excursions
On the first and third Tuesdavs in