The Republican journal., 1903-11-05
LIFE IN CHILL.
HIGH TONED BOMBEROS AND WHITE
GOWNED PENITENTIES.

rbat Don Juan Saareda-a Spanlard
tamous for nothing else-captured this
1ocality from the Aborigines. He laid
If out in three separate towns, and
oamed them respectively Gel Puerto"
the port 'El Almendral' and 'St.
rohn of Cod" but had them christened
IA the lump, so to speak, under the
,tueral title of Vel-Paraiso-"Vale
paradise." That portion anciently CALI
81 FL Puerto is the only level part of
tie city and comprises all the business
.1arter, which until recently consisted
f.. oue long, struggling street close to
.ns beach. The hills, dedicated to San
rJn de Dios, which now comprise most
We residence portion, vary IN height
..ia 1000 to 400 feet. Nothing can be
ne exhilerating than an early morn
or sunset canter over those breezy
,.Ats. along the new road that has
5t,,a cut out of solid rock away up on
steep precipices that face the bay.
ure day we went on foot to the top of
-. tallest hill, where in time of peace
l-.gllal-statf gives notice of approach
vessels. Up and up we climbed, by
auding pathway, part wooden stairs,
IT stone pavement, at sharp incline
sl slippery as glass; turning now to
light. now to the left according to
1igzag trail, chnging to the iron
ne that partially protects the path
1, Il rounds the cape of some mans
-.rlen: while brisk breeze turned our
>usliades wrong side out and threat
.,.e,. to serve our garments in the same
4 aner. At length we were compelled
q. ..t down on the stairs, Ostensibly be-
,e so charmed with the scene below,
., in reality from lack of breath to
.ry us another step. Just then
.5rdsome Chilian tripped past, trailing
.ack velvet gown weighted with
.u.uds of jet beads, yet looking un-
g.4rled and fresh as a rosebud in June.
she lives up there and is used to 1t,
.. that makes all the difference in the
"a. YOU know. \ boy with a hun
RI. foot ladder might climb from the
Itrto' straight up into her back yard
-Aree minutes time, while to reach
'front.' door she must wind around
nils a mile or more. Almost any
lent of this part of town could
..-.-v surprise his nearest neighbor by
..p.ng off his own porch and landing
ne latters roof; and if a child
J.I happen to fail from the window
rtany house, he would "bring up
stone paved street, five hundred
...- nelow. But the glorious view is
climbing for. There are beauti-
4lS. rising one above another,
ug cataracts ami majestic noun
..- there is the crescent-shaped bay
.uut a ripple upon its FURNISHED
... .ce. its ships motionleSS as sheeted
s. and its rolling tide washing the
rocks at our feet-all combining
Wuce an effect of profound peace
.,-s. Viewed from this altitude,
..reets in the level portion of the
.ook insignificant, but their vast
of red-tiled roots make a pleasing
Ire. The houses are mostly three
.I, with thick walls plastered to
eseMt stone. Spanish-American al
NE. though different from anything
.. la i'm the North. has its beauties and
lltages. Among the latter may be
toned the important fact that the
-es are hard to burn. Roofs of
Uem tiles, imbedded in dry mud,
extremely picturesque, especially
ese moist sections, where their dull
-lrface soon takes on coating of
.Ns, and linchens. Should a fire orlgl-
.,.- n the rafters, or in the boards and
tIllng beneath, it would go out of
{. own accord after they were burned
aaaN because the heavy mud covering,
flug in, would effectually smother
tonhagration.
By the way, one of the institutions
D.. AIli most conspicuous for its oddity
HE fire department. All natives are
peeled by law to serve as Bomberos
lenenl, OF in the militia; and as most
, The swell young men prefer the for
arr the fire companies resemble clubs,
milar social organizations, and are
med according to the strlctest rules
taste. 1t is intensely funny to see
'It Bomberos out on a drill, which is
made the occasion for stunning dis
pay of smart uniforms of white linen
and glittering nickle-plated helmets;
and tunnier still to see them at fire
-Seept for those whose property is be-
destroyed The gorgeous Bomberos
We're never known to put out fire, but
-.c.r efforts, when they condescend to
make any, are merely directed to check
ag It's spread by deluging adjacent
oNses, thereby generally accomplish
lg quite as much damage by water as
done by the fire 1t is not uncommon
ml some nearby merchant, whose stock
ia tgade would be hopelessly ruined il
e fremen were allowed their OWL
.tckless way, to pay sums of money tC
tr chiefs of the companies to induce