Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-01
NO.. 35.

do most o. the work in Hayti 1t was
technically correct. On the centre ta-
BILE was a bottle with a full rugged ship
inside. OF course every one wondered
how it got there.
The state department rested on
long wicker settee in the shape OF
three or four large journals. Across
the room was a satin covered sofa.
The arms were broken off and could
be seeh underneath, where they had
been thrown as a matter Of conven-
ience.
Presently there filed into the room
the members Of the presidents mill
tary staff and those of the cabinet.
The soldiers were gaudily uniformed
in green, red and purple, with gobs of
gold lace.
One man wore French tropical
uniform of white, the simplest cos
tune in the room. The others were
in direct contrast, being in costumes
as loud and brilliant as those of any
comic opera ever produced anywhere
in the states.
President Nord Alexis came In on
the arm Of the cleverest man in the
country, Mr.. Marcelin, the minister
of commerce and finance. He was
dressed In a dark green uniform The
coat was like regular frock and
covered with four rows Of brass but
tons, two on each side.
The coat was open, showing
waistcoat which reached clear up to
the white linen color, which was rath-
er out Of shape. An old ready made
black tie hung negligently to the COL
or button. But the uniform has no
interest when ones eyes rest upon the
man.
| When in his prime, Alexis must have
been over six feet tall and very strong.
All that is left now is the framework
of what was formerly splendid spe-
cimen of physical manhood.
| His legs and body seem mass of
mere bone, shrunken until almost
nothing is left His hands are long
and bony and themselves show great
age. On one finger Of his right hand
he wore two tremendous diamonds in
one setting. He had no other jewelry.
The face was as black as could be.
1t was far more Ethiopian than the
average negro in the north. The pro-
file was almost triangular, one side
beginning with the low, sloping fore
head and ending at the mouth, with
it's full lips concealing jungle Of dis
colored teeth. The chin dropped
straight off and was large, receding In
folds of loose, hanging skin to the
meek.
A twisted mass of sparse hair dec
GRATED the huge and long upper lip,
while a small goatee appeared from
the lower. He wore gold spectacles
which partially concealed his eyes.
The orbs were sunken and that part
which should be white was discolored
to a sort Of brown, making 1t impos-
sible to distinguish where the pupil
let off and the other part began.
The president speaks splendid
French, and the entire conversation
was in that language. Marcelin stood
by and was very attentive. He head
ed off embarrassing questions and was
evidently there to extricate the pres
lident from any conversational entan-
clement as we'll as to act as witness.
The others stood in a semicircle on
to the right Of the corner In which
the president had his chair placed.
Alexis showed no hesitancy in answer
ling all questions. He understood what
was wanted, and being anxious TO
have the northern papers say the
proper thing he tried to put his side
of the situation forward.
i When the interview was at an END
a round OF champagne was served
The president himself merely tasted
la concoction of cola, which he had
some difficulty In getting to his lips
his hand trembled so.
| Alexis Is in touch with everything
lin the government. Nothing can be
done without his consent. newspa-
per man recently took a trip on a
Haytien gunboat He was assigned
to a certain room and asked to nave
Ianother. The request was refused ana
II was explained that the president
lhad directed that he take that partic-
ular cabin.
This is but one instance Of his mas
ltery of the details Of running TINS
country.