The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-14
Boys Heretofore Unable to Get Delicacy Indigenous
 to United States
MASONIC CLUB IS
 FORMED IN THE CITY
Masons From All Over the World Are Enlisted as Members of the Unique Organization in
 Occupied City

Vera Cruz, Mex. June SO.-1special Correspondent. )-"Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer" by the son of California, who has re- |cently opened up an American restau- rant where we can actually get pie, hot cakes and syrup. and where we are promised corn bread soon. The place is not screened but it has an electric fan which keeps the flies to considerable degree off the food. We are making up for lost time on the pie and Grant, my partner, eats two pieces each meal l really believe we would have pie for prico of food stuffs Is coming down a little since the tariff was reduced and things are getting a trifle more in line with ones pocketbood. life Is one grand, sweet song now. for we have genuine butter to go with our hot rolls
 The band Is playing over at the plaza as l write, and its sweet strains re- mind me of an incident that occurred shortly after the occupation. One of the marines was riding a Missouri mule down Independencia avenue, and when he got oposite the portales the band opened with a crash which caused the mule to shy and nearly dropped the marine, who was some what of a General Shafter When he had regained his seat. the band which was playing medley ran into Dixie" " The marine refined up his mule. pressed one of his ears towards the bandstand and exclaimed so that all might hear, Listen, hombre, music Americana" The mule stood stock still until the last note was played and as the populace broke out in cheers he added his vigor- ous bray to enliven the enthusiasm of all. This tune "Dixie" cannot be called southern any more. I see men from Michigan cheering when it is played as loudly as the soldier boy from Ala bama or Mississippi
 Buildings Made to Last The character of buildings put up by the Mexicans certainly comments itself to the man who desires permanent structure. Sunday afternoon I went over a fort that was built here by the Span iards in 1910, and it is in 8 fine state of preservation now and bids fair to last for centuries more. The Aztec idols that I have seen in the blblioetica pub lica (public library), will be here long after present. generations childrens children have passed from off the stage of action.
 
 pairs to building that was put up 200 years ago. thing that strikes an American as strange is that all houses open onto the roof, and the coping be- tween them is frequently covered with glass, something like the old jail in Birmingham. They also have balcony to each window which looks something like a modem fire escape and on this little place the families may be seen at nis..t getting breath of air. It is from these balconies that the senors and senoritas make their little plays of Romeo and Juliet, and all we have read about the fan being so important part in. the courtship affairs of the senoritas is true
 When one accepts service in a for eign country he might as well make up his mind to do whatever his hands find to do. Today 1 have done the work of porter in sackipg up empties. Have worked on the stamp window and had the good luck to balance out, which is some accomplishment here where you have different kinds of money to con tend with and a language that is hard to grasp This afternoon l have writ ten up the money order book and have seen the signature of Gen. Frederick Funston and Sir Admiral Craddock of the British navy to money that they were sending back home. l see both of them occasionally Tn the portaleS and they strike one as just plain men, with no frills and no grand airs
 Masonic Club Is Formed
 The most unique assemblage that ever took part in was gathered togeth- CT last evening when We formed the Masonic club of Vera Cruz. and at which meeting I had the great pleasure of seconding the nomination of Major Woolf for the position of president of the club. to which position he was unanimously elected On the register found that the men hailed from all parts of the world. Immediately above my name was that of man from the Philippines, another from Hawaii. We have a fairly good room now and 1t is today being fitted up with checker boards, dominoes, etc It already has shower baths. At the meeting last night ordinary soldiers were given as high honors as the officers. I think that one of the most treasured things that l shall take back home with me will be my membership card in the Masonic club I never knew what a great thing the fraternity was until l got In strange land and made friends among IL. faa