Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-10-02
WALTER MALEY WRITES INTER.
ESTING LETTER.

FOllOWlu6 1ctCcT ,TcCCASCu Ny JCSSic
Maley from her brother Walter Maley
now in La Rochelle, France.
Dear Sister: There is not much
news to send with this letter, other
than to let you know that / am well
and feeling fine.
We crossed the pond in eleven days
in the best Of seas and without any
sight or sound Of Subs, believe they
would have gotten cold feet any way
If they took good look at our convoy.
1t certainly looked formidable. The
sea was almost as smooth as glass.
have been transferred onto the
q. S. S. Marietta and from now on that
will be my address have not writ
ten for some time because there have
been no mail ships going back, how
ever, hope you have not worried on
that account.
enjoy the very best of health and
the open air and sunshine are max
ing me feel like a modern Hercules.
During my two months in France,
have seen and heard many interest
ing things. It is unfortunate that ]
cannot tell you Of them through the
mail, SO will save them up and deliver
them in person.
Ships from different nations stop in
port here for few days or maybe a
week and are gone again when you
look for them in the morning. like the
Arabs folding their tents they silently
steal away" Their uniforms, GUS
toms, habits and manners different
from our own-are very interesting,
and in justice to them might add
that, they offer food for reflection.
Here you can see the village fisher
man going out with his net, every
morning, Just as the sun Is bidding
"Good Morning" to a sleepy world.
Here. too you will see them return
ing with the tide at evening with their
daily catch.
Almost; every morning you may see
many of the young women and girls
out rowing around in the harbor, for
It seemed they must have that little
cruise tot start the day off right.
While, on the streets Of the town you
will see all Of the Inhabitants, except
the well-to-do. going along their way
barefoot.
It Is SO common to see them bare
foot here that l have often had the
barefoot fever and we're / not some
what terrified OF Navy Regulations, I
think. should have followed suit and
tried to convince myself that / was
Just a romping boy again.
There are but few automobiles here.
the popular conveyance is the single
two wheeled cart drawn by small
mule or pony on the other hand any
number Of small burroughs may be
seen trudging along the narrow
streets, some of them are SO small that
you are tempted to ask the owner why
he doesn't get off and carry the bur-
rough for awhile.
Sunday morning when went ashore
with our church party, ! saw a rath-
er amusing sight. A big tall native
was riding his burrough along, his
feet swinging and almost touching
the ground, with couple of boxes of
fruit or vegetables strapped across
the burroughs back. stick in one
hand and rope in the other, the other
end of which was tied around billy
goat or nanny-goat's neck. A small
terrier dog which some sailor brought
ashore took sudden dislike to the
goat and made dash for him.
The result was that the goat ran
one way and the burrough the other,
the native was afraid to let go the rope
for fear of losing his goat, also afraid
to get off for fear of losing his cargo.
1t would take volume to describe
the medley that arose.
One group of natives surrounded
the goat another group the burrough,
while others chased the dog. All the
while the dog was barking, the goat
was bleating, the burrough was bray
ing and the crowd talking violently.
To me it seemed humorous, but to
the quiet peasant folk, evidently a
grievious intrusion on their peace
full domestic affairs.
might add here that the purpose
of the stick is to guide the beast, ii
they wish to turn right they hit the
burrough over the left ear and if left
over the right ear.
Speaking of vegetables, this country
offers splendid variety Here you
may drive through the country and
see big banana and pine apple trees
gardens with cabbages, potatoes, to-
matoes, lettuce, cucumbers and onions
Other fruits there are the names OF
which have never attempted to re-
member.
/ heard mass few Sundays ago in
church Cathedral it is called here)
which am told was built four hun
dred years ago. If SO 1t is remark
able tribute to the architecture and
workmanship of that time. 1t is beau
tiful in it's outline, but only remote
" so as compared to the interior.
1t bears no marks of the tooth Of
time-no Wilderness of decay such as
YOU would naturally expect.
The streets are narrow, not more
than Is TT. wide, and the sidewalks arc
just wide enough for one person.
No doubt the reason lies in.the fact
that there are no large teams or wag'
ons here; the little burrough takes
their place.
The nntranno nf Amarica into thu