Newspaper Page Text
PAKT THREE.
A DAY WITH THE BLOCKADING FLEET
Close Watch That Is Being Kept Along the
Cuban Coast.
Stopping Vessels Suspected of Carrying; Contrnhiinds of War—\o More
Carrying; Supplies Via the Isle of Pines—Destruction of tlie
Alphonso Xll—Shortage of Supplies in Havana.
With the Blockading Squadron oft Ha
vana, Aug. IS.—When we got the news
of Cervera’s defeat July 4 we felt here as
though we were getting left out of all the
glory of the war, but recent events show
us that our chance is coming.
Like rats in a hole, that is the way
the people in Havana find themselves,
with the hole stopped up and nothing to
eat inside the hole.
Our blockading fleet has been reinforc
ed by pmall vessels and yachts until it
extends around the south coast of Cuba
and the only way to get in is through us,
an operation which the Spanish are not
attempting very much Dust these days.
Up to this time they have been running
the blockade pretty well through the Isle
of Pines. Vessels could easily get here
from Jamaica and Mexican ports; and the
supply though small was steady enough
to supply provisions to the wealthier fam
ilies of Havana, those that could afford to
buy them. Since the surrender of Santia
go this has been stopped.
ON THE LOOKOrr rOB BLOCKADE BUKIWO. ' ’’ ' -
tbi
SAILORS IN THE BLOCKADING FLEET ENJOYING THE RECREATION OF
TARGET PRACTICE.
The principal route selected for this
conlraband trade was through the Isle
of Pines and thence to Havana, via Bata
bano. This made the Isle of I’ines a port
of entry for Havana for small vessels
from Jamaican and Mexican ports. It
W3s a roundabout way, and entailed great
* rouble and expense, but it kept the peo
ple from actual starvation. The system
r %afl never established on a large scale,
Itnd never had a material effect upon the
Continuation of the war.
lTh.. recent extensions of the blockade
> lL' lle ®° ut, i coast of Cuba, however,
entirely broken up this business. At
fpje Jlkfttittg Ifctogl
the same time the blockade of the north
ern coast was made to embrace more
ports, to render impossible the establish
ment of a similar source of supply upon
that side. It will thus be seen that there
is left but one means of introducing pro
visions into Havana, and that is the very
precarious method of directly forcing an
entrance through the fleet off the harbor.
This accounts for the disastrous attempt
on the part of the Alfonso XII.
With the blockade extended, strength
ened and tightened it is only a matter of
time when Havana gives up.
We of the blockading fleet are to be al
lowed the glory of firing her forts and I
speak to be the one to send a shot into
Morro. She is only an old pile of mud
but she stands there as grey and saucy
as though she were England's best
stronghold.
One of the principal recreations is af
forded by the reception of spies and de
serters aboard blockade ships.
We spend a fraction of the time search
ing the waves for small boats, mostly row
boats. When in hailing distance wo
megaphone them. Up goes a white signal,
for, though they can hear the megaphone,
they have no other way to reply, and we
make for them. They are mostly Span-
iards starved out of Havana who prefer
to live with us and eat rather than stay
with Blanco and die.
An Insurgent spy succeeded In escaping
out of Havana on last Monday and was
picked up by the Bancroft. He tells a
tale of woe concerning the situation in
that city. Provisions are becoming scar
cer every day. This man himself caught
a large shark outside of Havana a short
time ago and hud no difficulty In selling
it for sls to serve as food. Shark's meat
is even considered quite a delicacy in the
famine-stricken city, and horses and dogs
are becoming very scarce.
It is meat and drink to tis to hear these
tales. The policy of our government is to
starve out Havana. It may be humane,
but the waiting is trying on us
SAVANNAH, GA., SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 1808.
The very welcome mail and a batch of
newspapers comes once In a while. It Is |
brought by the Nashville, the Hamilton,
the Amphitrite and the Bancroft of what
ever ship happens to be coming our way.
The letters are in a leather pouch which
is opened by our authorized distributor.
He assorts the letters and hands them
over while we grab and read. One lucky
man got ten letters when the Hamilton
came in and he was so happy ho cried.
He is reading those letters yet. His moth
er and sisters and a lot of friends all hap
pened to write him at once. One fellow
got a picture of his girl. He cut out the
head and occupied nearly all day fram
ing It in canvas for the inside of his cap.
If you know Anybody on the blockading
squadron write to them for God's sake.
Make your letters long and write often.
Though we are not fighting we get
through the day very well. We do what
the land lubbers call "military maneu
vers” and we practice target shooting.
When the wreck of the Alfonso XII lay
submerged with its hull above water a
funny thing happened. Capt. Leary arriv
ed with the San Franciso; and the blue
jackets aboard eagerly begged permission
to try a few' shots at the hulk. They
said they had had none of the glory of
Porto Rico or San Juan nor of Manila.
Could they shoot this empty target? Com
modore Howell, In whose charge the block
ading squadron was entrusted is a kind
hearted man and consent was given. In
a twinkling the six-inch battery on board
the flagship was cast loose, and the gun
captains soon demonstrated that their
thorough training at sub-caliber practice
had borne good results. Every shot took
effect and exploded in the hull, and the
work of destruction was soon complete. 11
is the best recreation asked by an Ameri
can sailor, permission to practice target
shooting.
We are expecting something to happen
every day, the most likely in our estima
tion is that Blanco and the Spanish offi
cers of Havana will try to run the block
ade and get over to Spain.
MURDEIi OF A NEW SPAPER WOMAN
Editor's Telegram Said ‘.'Kill Her”
and He Was Arrested.
Francis Van Courtney was the fore
most editor of his day. Great politicians
consulted him bffore running for office;
big deals were distributed in his editorial
rooms; the policy of the nation received
its finishing touch under his pen before
being submitted to the Senate; no great
act, foreign or domestic, became known
until Francis Van Courtney was informed
of it; no paper in his city had ever scored
a beat over the Headlight, which was his
great daily paper. Many of his deals were
as dark, it was hinted, as the Ink with
which the paper was printed.
John Griggs was a detective who had
endeared himself to the Morning Head
light by the wonderful work he had done.
Only recently at Newport he had discov
ered the theft of a great quantity of dia
monds, and before the owner, opening his
strong chest, had realized that they were
gone, Griggs had the triumph of walking
in one day with the diamonds in his hand
and restoring to the owner his collection
of magnificent, priceless, oriental gems,
held In the family for generations.
This and other deeds had made John
Griggs famous, and when, therefore, one
evening ho stepped into the reception
room of the Morning Headlight nnd sent
up his card to the editor, he was chagrin
ed to have the card returned to him with
the Information that “Mr. Van Courtney
was too busy to see him.”
"Humph,” said John Griggs, “this is
new "Well, It's their loss anyway. I've
got the best of the season for the Head
light, hut I will go now and give it to a
rival paper. That will bring Van Court
ney around quick.”
So saying, and with the Intention of
stepping across the street to where the
rival of the Headlight issued Its Inffeetual
sheet every morning, John Griggs reached
the door Just in time to see Editor Van
Courtney issuing from the side door of
the building which led hy a narrow flight
of stairs up to the private entrance of
the editorial rooms.
‘There he Is now, guess I'll run and
catch him,” said John Griggs.
But he was too late. Francis Van
Courtney had boarded a street car, and
was being hurried down the town.
“Wonder what he’s going down town
this time of-Bight,” said John Griggs; and
true to his detective Instinct, though he
could not for the life of him have told
why, he stepped upon the car going In the
same direction, and with his eye upon
Francis Van Courtney, who stood upon
the rear platform of the preceding car.
he rode and rfide until he had passed
out of the business portion of the city
down Into what was known in liantown
as “slums.”
All this time Editor Van Courtney had
len standing on the rear platform of the
cr calmly smoking a cigar. When the
car reached Doyer street, which was
known as the wor9t locality in Bantown,
lie threw away the cigar and stepped off
the rear platform.
John Griggs, three blocks behind, saw
his figure alight and when he n ached the
same corner stept>ed off also. John Griggs
was Just ill time to see Editor \ in Court
ney shake hands with two men. after
which the three proceeded up the narrow
lane, which in the slums was dignified hy
the name of street, and enter a very ques
tionable cafe.
A moment later John Griggs looking In
tlie window of the cafe, saw Editor Van
Courtney and his two friends talking mvs
tcrlously together over a small table,
wl>|lo on the table stood some big glasses
of varl-colored stuffs which suggested the
worst drinks that the Blum bartender
was capable of mixing.
On the little stage at the roar of the
cafe women In tights were dancing, and
the songs they sang, as they danced, were
such as awakened rude laughs from the
men who heard them—and none so boist
erous In his applause as Francis Van
Courtney. Once he pushed back his
chair and stamped loudly u|>on the floor
with his foot, shouting "encore.” John
Griggs was so abashed that ho withdrew
Into the shadow at the other side of the
street.
But Francis Van Courtney had other
work beside that of listening to the girls
at the Cafe Chantant. He soon emerged,
and in company with his two friends, who
were none too respectable in apiiearance,
he went into the Chinese theater around
the corner, and there was also loud in his
applause of the Oriental doings upon the
stage.
Then he came out of the Chinese thea
ter and he and his two friends seemed to
take anew bent, for they walked rapid
ly for three blocks, and there turned
the corner and disappeared in the shadow
of a house. Presently, however, they
came out again and stood upon the cor
ner holding a heated argument. A wo
man who passed spoke to them, and they
sent her on her way tossing her head for
lack of a reply.
As the three talked they drew closer
together; and John Griggs, who was
crouching In the shelter of a doorstep
near by, failed to hear their conversation.
As they turned to walk further on he
heard Van Courtney say;
"Yes, I will do it. I hate to though! I
know it is wrong, I have no right to do
il. You know I have done that sort of
thing before—nnd once I got In a bad
hole for 11.”
“Just this once,” urged one of the men,
and Francis Van Courtney turned on his
heel and nodded consent.
He turned and, leaving his tsvo friends,
ran across the street and down a block
to where a brilliant light gleamed through
a glass window, which proclaimed the
words telegraph office.
He entered hastily, wrote a dispatch,
muttered “No, that won’t do,” tore it off
the pad, wrote another and handing it to
the clerk at his window, laid down a quar
ter and went out.
A minute later John Griggs entered the
telegraph office, picked up a crumpled
piece of paper off the floor and stretched
it out on the wooden ledge. What he rend
there caused him to utter an exclamation
of surprise and almost pleasure. It
might even have been taken for a
chuckle of exultation.
"That's the way in my business. You
never knowj I may lie in time to prevent
it yet.” he said to himself as’he tore down
the street. "It depends on whether the
trolley car can make belter time than
the telegraph wire—and I’m afraid it
can’t.”
John Griggs stepped upon the ear and
rode impatiently back to the office of
the Headlight. As he reached the door
he Jumped off the car and dnshed to the
side door leading to the mechanical de
partment up stairs. He was Just In time
to see a girl slowly climbing the steps to
where the mighty power drove the rattling
press and the great moulding machines in
the big printing and stereotype depart
ments up stairs. He called to her and
with surprised face she turned around.
When Editor Van Courtney nllghted
from his cab in front of the Morning
Headlight at 2 a. m.. he was surprised to
find, awaiting him at the door, two offi
cers of the law; and behind them three
men in citizen’s dress evidently prepared
to assist the officers in case he should
resist.
Francis Van Courtney rubbed his eyes
and looked around him. He had had sev
eral glasses that evening and things look
ed misty to him.
“I never did believe much In those
drinks at the Cafe Chantant,” he mutter
ed to himself, rubbing his eyes again and
taking a step forward toward the door,
which seemed blockaded with men.
A stalwart policeman awakened him
to the reality of the situation.
"I arrest you, sir, in the name of the
law,” said the blue-coated officer, slipping
a pair of handcuffs on him.
"Arrest me.!” echoed Van Courtney.
“Yes, and unless you go quietly, wo will
have to take you by force. We have got
a strong case against you.”
In the cab into which he was hustled
hurriedly Van Courtney triCll to recall
the events of the evening. As he neared
the precinct he timidly said, "May I ask
on what charge I am arrested?”
“For murder,” growled the biggest of
the officers of the law.
Francis Van Courtney shrunk back In
his scat, trembling and sobered.
At the desk the sergeant was very con
siderate. He took the name, nationality,
age and business of the prisoner, and ask
ed him if he had anything to say for him
self.
“I am arrested for murder, I believe,”
said Van Courtney.
"Yes," said the sergeant, "be careful
not to say anything which will degrade
or incriminate you.”
"On what evidence am I arrested?”
Quick as a flash and in spite of the
warning looks of the sergeant, John
Griggs, who had up to that time remain
ed in the background, stepped forward
and held up before Editor Van Courtney's
eyes a yellow telegraph slip on which was
written in glaring blue pencil the mes
sage:
'Girl in stereotype room. Kill her!”
The last two words stood out In all the
hideousness of the great blue pencil marks
with which it was Inscribed. For the min
ute Frauds Van Courtney was stagger
ed. then lhe ludlerousness of the situa
tion burst upon him and he smiled.
"Oh. that's all right,” said he, “I am
an editor. 'Kill' with us means something
else.”
Then ho burst out laughing hysterically,
while the sergeant and officers looked at
each other.
“And to think.” said Francis Van Court
ney, as he retraced his steps toward the
office of the Morning Headlight half an
hour later, "that I should have telegraph
ed back to the office to 'kill' that picture
and story and only to avoid a libel suit.”
As he entered the door of the Headlight
a loud cry Reached hi ears; and Into his
haudu was thrust the rival newspapers
while a ragged night-hawk urchin shout
ed:
“Buy de Banner, Jest out and hear all
about de arrest of de great editor, Fran
cis Van Courtney, for de murder of a
newspaper woman!”
GERMAN OFFICERS AND MARRIAGE
They Are Obliged to Murry Rlelt
Girls Unless They Have Fortune*
of Tlielr Own.
Berlin Letter In New York Evening Post.
Must not a profession be morally de
grading which compels a large number of
men to live continually beyond their
means, and offers them no way out of the
burden of debt thus contracted except
rich marriages? The army officers who
are so placed socially that what for others
is a choice for them is a duty—who are
obliged to keep up appearances, to partic
ipate in the most costly social amuse
ments—are more poorly paid than many a
shop clerk or skilled artisan. The rich
man's son, in the army for the position it
gives, cares nothing for this, of course.
He spends* his salary on a bouquet for the
latest ballet favorite, and thinks no more
of it. But for the majority, many of
whom have a noble name which prevents
them, in ihelr opinion, from luking up
any business (and lack of means prevents
a university course and preparation for a
.-a
“" ’ THF, CONSULTATION. TimER WISE HEADS, NOT COUNTINO THE DOO.
learned profession as well), there is only
the army.
For a man with a small private income,
or as In some cases with none at all, the
army Is a martyrdom, which few outsid
ers would care to experience. Tho salary
of a first or second lieutenant Is not near
ly adequate for one-half of the expenseg
necessary by the position. But it is easy,
fatally easy, for an officer to borrow mon
ey; the money-lenders come to him as
soon as lie enters anew garrison and
offer their services. For they know he
needs them, and they know that his
business Inexperience and his necessity
will permit them to obtain ills signature
for an exorbitant rate of interest. The
payment Is sure enough, for there are
plenty of rich girls only too eager lo mar
ry an officer, and If not, even If tho ha
rassed debtor turn to the pistol as h last
refuge, the honor of his family, his name,
requires that his debts lie paid. If no one
eliw, then even the regiment will come to
the front, and pay up to shield iheir com
rade. A good trait, perhaps, but how
much better if conditions were such that
the last generosity were not necessary?
Army statutes forbid a man to marry
unless either he or his bride can show
Just so much capital, 70,000 marks, I think
It is. Unless tho officer has a private for
tune he certainly cannot save that umoutit
from a salary not sufficient for him to live
upon, so no choice Is left him but lo
marry for money. We may not be senti
mentally inclined nowadays, but I do not
think there are many people who do not
feel that lor a man lo find himself com
pelled to marry for money, to sell him
self, Is a state of things which is most de
plorable. The whole unhealthy atmos
phere of the profession mentally, the
fighting against debts and creditors on the
one hand, and the feeling one’s self a
"little tin god” on the other, has resulted
in creating a class of men very elegant to
look at physically, but Intolerant, over
bearing, self-satisfied, and as un'nterest
lng mentally us a man can well be in
these days of cheapened education.
There is no class of men in Europe,
and this is a strong assertion, who are so
insolent to women as are the German
officers. While all politeness to the wom
en whom they consider their social equals,
their behavior In the street Is an outrage
on' ail decency. The coat they wear is
supposed to give them the rank of gen
tlemen, but their behavior toward unpro
tected or self-supporting women lacks
anything that would show the first In
stincts of a gentleman.
—Mrs. Alice Palmer Henderson of Chi
cago has the oldest doll in the world. It
came fiWm Alaska and is made of the fos
sil ivory of the hairy elephant, which Is
said to have become extinct some 150,000
years or so ago. The doll is about eight
Inches high, and Dr. Sheldon Jackson, the
United State* commissioner of education
for Alaska, pronounces it the finest speci
men he has ever seep. He has used all his
powers of eloquence to secure it for his
Sitka collection, but in vain.
—A Russian paper says that the poems
of Edgar Allen Poe are translated into
Russian, and are more appreciated in that
country than they are in the United
folate*
BATHING SUITS FOR COOL DAYS.
Blue Sergo Comes In for a Share of Popu
larity in Late Summer.
Til owe Who row on the Bruch—Drrmra to Ue Worn When Out of Bench
of the Want-“Knlekert'l for Both Wheel nml Water.
Trouvlllo An*. B.—There Is quite an air
ot dash about this season's bathing suits.
Even those that are Intended for every
day salt water plunges boast a variety of
pretty trimmings, and other materials
besides the "tried and trusted" bine serges
come in for their share of popularity.
As the days grow chilly blue serge is
worn considerably on account of its
warmth. It Is made In very elaborate
ways and Is quite as elegant as the newer
materials.
BrllUantlne seems to be a general fa-
vorite and It is made up in the most at
tractive shades of blue and sea greens
imaginable.
For the women who pose on the laach
well out of the reach of the waves there
are all sorbs of pretty attractive bathing
suits designed. These are fashioned of
the pretty light wash silks and boast no
end of jaunty bright bows and bits of
lace.
One of these extravagant affairs was
made of ctel blue silk alpaca. The skirt
that reached barely to the knees was
gored so that it fitted close over the hips
and flured considerably at the bottom. It
was trimmed in a silking way with
gathered white ribbon forming a swirling
design that was esiiecially elaborate on
the front gore. The knickerbockers of
the same material were a very little bit
shorter than the skirt.
The hlouße was full and out square
necked. It was finished with a broad
band of heavy cream embroidery that
formed straps over the shoulders. Three
circular ruffles of the alpaca lined with
cream silk served as short sleeves. Both
were mounted with bows of cream wa
tered ribbon and a broader band of the
ribbon was employed for the licit.
There were blue silk Blockings of the
same shad* that went with this bathing
suit and white, sandals with cream rib
bon lacings.
The great majority of the feminine
bathers at the French seaside resorts con
skier stockings and sandals decidedly un
necessary. Hut the women who do go
In more for the looks of things effect
the low sandals with long nurrow rib
bons that lajce In "crlss cross’’ fashion up
to the knees. It gives a smart finish to
a bathing toilette If the sandals and the
lacings are of the same color as that
employed for the trimmings of the suit.
One of the real common sense buthlng
suits was made of green and blue check
ed flannel. The skirt was short and
rather scant with rows of dark blue
braid trimmings each seam of Ihe apron.
The corsage was a blouse of the flannel
buttoning over lo the left side with four
large smoked pearl buttons. It had nar
row revers of thk, flannel turning back
from the low round neck. These were
edged with the blue braid that continued
In two straight lines down the front of
the corsage to Ihe celnture. The sleeves
were short puffs edged with the braid.
Knickerbockers that were made full
enough to bag a trifle aver the knee band
went with Ihls skirl.
These knickers are designed for cy
cling also. They are very full and. af
ter the dip, the bather drops her skirl
off and rides home on her wheel.
A sunrise party of bather*, dressed In
warm flannel, enjoyed a dip and a home
ride aflerward.
A bathing suit that was a graceful
combination of chic and usfulness was
made of alpaca In a pretty shade of gray
blue. The skirt, that was full and short,
was gored to fit close over the hips. It
was trimmed around Ihe top with a broad
, band of ecru passementerie.
PAGEES 17 TO 20.
The corsage was a square necked blouse
with the fulness arranged In two broad
box plaits, back and front. It was finish
ed around the neck with a band of the
passementerie and a second adjoining band
was carried under the box plaits. Th
sleeves that reached nearly to the elbows
were high and full at the tops.
An original bathing suit was made of
sea green flannel. The skirt was made
rather full with three narrow bias fold*
of the same put on rather full around the
bolloin.
The corsage was a blouse with •
pointed vest of eream serge inserted. Tha
serge was pierced in a rose pattern with
the edges bound In light blue slllc.
Around Ihe sides of the vest there wera
two narrow hlas folds of the flannel tha*
continued over the shoulders to gtve tha
effect of epaulettes. It was cut low
necked with a jiolnt at the front finished
with narrow pipings of pale blue silk.
The celnture was of ciel blue motre belt
ing.
A suit of dark blue brllllantlne vat
simple and attractive. The short skirt
fitted close over the hips and the fulnesa
was carried to the back and disposed of
in two narrow box plaits.
The corsage was a round necked blouse
buttoning over to the left side with two
big white pearl buttons. It had a broad
collar of heavy drab linen embroidered
in blue silk that extended over the tope
of the short puffed sleeves. A hand of
heavy drab linen braid served as a celn
ture and another band trimmed the top
of the skirl.
The little close fitting rubber caps cov
ered with squares of bright wash silks
are as much In favor as ever. In fact the
chic !>ath*r never accepts any other style
of head gear and she takes no end of
trouble In adjusting the Jaunty little knot
of the four corners so that there Is Just
a suggestion of ringlets visible.
Ilought ringlets sewed to the adges of
the cap often adorn a bather's pretty
face while her own little front locks are
closely wrapped around crimping pin*.
The French are Inveterate admirers of
the pretty and picturesque, and a French
mother likes nothing better than to stand
In the water and toss her baby for tha
admiration of the crowd on the beach.
Nina Goodwin.
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