The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-10-05

mieroscopical mites to lads the best part
Of an inch long. The small ones are the
most destructive. They got away with
large sum Of government paper money,
and what comes home, destroyed my
best blouse, which cost sl2. 1t was
perforated like nutmeg crater. II one
doesn't air his clothes and bed clothes
daily he'll be out of luck. l guess Solo,
mon was around the tropics some, for
here they are surely the embodiment of
perseverance. (There are some fellows
in the next room practicing scales and
exercises on clarinets, and it distracts
ones attention. l think Of all instru.
ments the clarinet takes precedence as a
nerve-racker when handled by a novice.
The scale they are practicing is in three
flats and some are playing in two-it's
lovely. They haven't gone over it more
than million times
This is supposed to be the rainy sea-
son, but it has failed to keep its word,
although we are having shower at pres
ent. 1t has been exceptionally dry in
comparison to last year. We have had
a couple of tornadoes that made things
jingle though. The first blow came on
near midnight. l never thought that the
elements could develop such terrific
ferocity. When the last struck our old
bamboo quarters they just grunted, but
bore up bravely, although badly shaken.
The nipa was ripped off the roof like
match-wood and the deluge that followed
consequently had good chance for
operations. We thought the building
was going, sure, as we were nearest the
waters edge and so had to stand the
brunt, and as there was building with
connections to the rear of US, we pre-
pared to obey the Biblical injunction and
vacate premises. Unfortunately two of
the foremost, carrying their cots, got
jammed somehow in the doorway and
the bowling and crowding OF the mob
behind, combined with the shrek of the
tempest, made pet scene. When the
fun was over our old lodge was about
twenty points out of plumb by the ma
riner's compass. We hada small army
of natives and Chinos round the next
day racking it back with big pike poles
and re-roofng it. The second tornado
was not so violent as the first, but we
had beautiful view of the formation and
motion of two waterspouts. They have
the same characteristics as the funnel
shaped cloud. You could not call the
deluge that followed the blow this time
rain. 1t was simply sheet of water. 1t
makes things very disagreeable when
there is much rain. Everything gets
mildewed, and it's anything but pleasant
sleeping in damp bedclothes. By the
way, many Of our boys dispense with
both paiamas and bedclothes and sleep
"au naturel." This is very dangerous
thing as one is liable to be stricken with
dysentery unless he keeps his body we'll
covered. The American sense of de-
cency receives many rude shocks here.
The other morning particularly close it
was, by the way) one ofour men came to
rehearsal with nothing on but a pair OF
bathing AdEawers,, and was not checked
for it either; in fact the chief musician
looked Aery guilty of a desire to abjure
dignity and assume the same attire.
The daily routine consists of reveille
$50 a. M, breakfast soon after, calls
themes at Z a. M, guard a. M, mount
ing 8 a. M, rehearsal, which lasts till
1880, dinner 11:45. Then short siesta
and individual practice. Retreat goes at
$50 p. m. and concert from $40 to 7:45
p. m. Call to quarters goes at 8 p. M.
and taps at $50, when you are supposed
to be in your nice little cot. We get
ahead of them there though. After taps
has gone you can see the boys sneaklng
out and down to the beach, where
regular convention is held with the chief
topic of discussion, the comparative
merits and dement's of United States and
the Philippine Islands, even extending
heated argument as to the Schlitz and
San Miguel brews and the relative size of
the "schupers" in Preside and Pasay.
Well! Harry, you'll be getting about
tired of all this foolishness so I'll try to
become rational again. /, l received word
from home a few days since which will
possibly materially change my mode of
life. In all probability shall return by
the way of the Suez as want to make
the grand circuit. But you can depend
on me visiting dear old Pembina again
as 'Tve left some little things behind
me" as Kippling has it. Not many,
thank Heaven! but still fresh in memory.
Give my kind regards to all and remem.
Der me especially to Mr.. Cavileer, who
always used to call me "Mr. Oldham" It's
late now and most time for taps so p,l