Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-06-14
Continued next week.
CRUSoE'S ISLAND.
Capt. slocum stops Mt Juan Fer
nHndes on His Way Around
the world.

Capt. Joshua Slocum describes a visit
20 the island where Alexander selkirk
passed five solitary years-an island
which several times, Of late years, has
been reported as sunk.
The Spray being secured, the island
! ers returned 10 the coffee and dough-
/ nuts, and ! was more than hattered
when they did not slight my buns. as
the professor had done in the Straits OF
Magellan. Between buns and dough
nuts there was little difference except
in name. Both had been fried IN tall
low, which was the strong point in
both, for there was nothing on the is
land fatter than a goat, and goat Is
but lean beast, 10 make the best Of il.
So with view TO business hooked my
steelyards 10 the boom at once, ready
to weigh out tallow, there being no
customs officer 10 say: 'Why do you
do SOP and before the sun went down
the islanders had learned the art OF
making buns and doughnuts. did no'
charge a high price for what ! sold,
but the ancient and curious coins got
in payment, some Of them from the
wreck OF a galleon sunk in the bay no
one knows when, | sold afterward 10
autiquarians for more than face-value |
In this way ! made a reasonable profit. |
! brought away money Of al denomina- |
tions from the island, and nearly all |
there was, so far as Icould find out.
Juan Fernandez. as a place OF call, is
a lovely spot. The hills are well wood /
ed, the valleys fertile, and pouring
down through many ravines are
streams Of pure water. There are no
serpents on the island. and no wild
beasts other than pigs and goats. Of
which / saw a number, with possibly a
dog or two. The people lived without
the use Of rum or beer Of any sort.
There was not police officer or a law
yer among them The domestic econ
omy Of the island was simplicity itself.
The fashions Of Paris did not affect
the inhabitants; each dressed accord
ing 10 his own taste. Although there
was no doctor, the people were all
healthy, and the children were all beau
tiful There were about IS souls on the
island al told The adults were mostly
from the mainland Of South America.
One lady there, from Chill. who made a
fying-jib for the Spray, taking her paw
In tallow, would be called a belle al
Newport Blessed island Of Juan Fer
naudez Why Alexander Selkirk ever
left you was more than / could make
out. :
large ship which had arrived some
lime before, on FIRE. had been stranded
NJ the head Of the bay. and as the sea
her TO pieces on the rocks.
after the fire was drowned, the island
srs picked up the timbers and utilized
hem In the construction Of houses. {
which naturally presented a ship-like
appearance. The house Of the king Of o
Juan Fernandez. Manuel Carroza hv
name. besides resembling the ark, wore
polished brass knocker on its only
ioor' which was painted green. In
'front.' OF this gorgeous entrance was a :
iag-mast all atauuto. and near II
mart whale-boat painted red and blue.
he delight Of the kings old age.
l Of course made a pilgrimage 10 the :
I'D lookout place at the top Of the
mountain, where Selkirk spent many
lays peering into the distance for the
hip which came al last. The
ave in which Selkirk dwelt while on 2
be island is at the head Of the bav. =
low called Robinson Crnsoe bay. II Is
Iround a bold headland west az the n
resent anchorage and landing. ships
ave anchored there, but il affords a
cry Indifferent berth. Juar p
fernandez was once a convict station.
number Of caves in which the pris-
ners were kept, damp, unwholesome
lens, are no longer in use. and no more Al
risoners are sent 10 the island.-Cen.
ury. =
An Investigation In Order.
Customer-Nou made a mistake in nj
~ prescription the other dav. Ii
allied for two grains of opium. and 1 z
OF small package containing mag <
esia. II
Druggist-Are you sure about tip \
Customer-Nes. Here is a duplicate :.
description from the physician. Now. =
be question is, who got the opium? 4.
Druggist-Dear me, that's so; Ito the
description clerk James. who's dead
the Observation-Disclosures Life. !