The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-03-02
Correspondence.
FROM JUDGE CATION.

nuisance, and among the first excursions made
was in search of Panama. In this pursuit all
the gentlemen of our party sailed forth in a
body, herOically declining the services of Ange'
leno, who was always ready to go shopping with
every one, TO doubt realizing a commission on
all the goods sold under his patronage; which,
OF course, the purchaser bad TO pay Tor IN the
price of the goods, In truth, we we're II that
early stage of Cuban experience, IN some per-
plexity whom to trust for while Col. Lay was
quietly cautioning one of oar party not to trust
the Jew any further than we could see him, for
he was the greatest liar on the island, the wary
Isreate was gently whispering into the ear of
another, that the proprietor of the hotel knew
but very little of things in Havana, and was sure
to miseud US in anything he might tell us-in
fact, that not the least reliance could be placed
on anything that he might say; indeed, that the
hotel would go to the dogs directly, but for the
good Offices he was enabled to render the guests,
out OF pure love for them, and "a desire to make
them happy and prosperous, while at the same
time he presented bill for his disbursements IN
getting us ashore, which we afterwards learned
was fifty cents head more than the actual cost
say in this conflicting state OF our information
We We're not little preplexed, and 20 concluded
to depend on our own resources, to make our.
selves understood and avoid being cheated. To
start with we found some difficulty in getting
along the sidewalks, two feet wide, crowded
with people, while the streets were crowded with
carts and cabs, the wheels Of which were graf
ing against the curbstone l hive heard it said
that il required more talent to cross Broadw
in busy day han to be president of the United
States but that is nothing to footing it for ore
block in the streets of Havana. To pass on the
sidewalk one must step onto the carriage-way,
where nothing but the dexterity OF dancing
master can save one from being run down by
some cab or cart, or worse than all, some volaute
hurried along 10y some booted negro whose spurs
are jinsling, and whose whip is constantly four
ished in a most lordly way, all the while crack.
ing like a yo!ley of pistols
From this you will appreciate why it i. chat
ladios never walk the streets in Havana. But
more than this, when they go shopping they do
not even so into the store, but remain in the cab
or voante, where they are waited upon by a
clerk with such goods they may desire to in.
spect. This of course, occasions AN intolerabie
obstruction in those narrow streets. But such
is fashion there, originating, no doubt, from the
lassitude engendered in such climate. So little
do ladies expose themselves to the sun in Hava-
ma that the use of the veil as our ladies use 1t
as the parasol is unknown; though ut church
or opera, and the like, they wear a lace shawl
thrown loosely over the head in place of q hat
When our ladies appeared out of doors with
their parasols the natives looked with more cur
iosity and establishment even than when they
saw ne sauntering about with my Shaker pipe
in my mouth where choice Havana's could be
got for five cents each; and when sauntsred
out to get green veil for one of the ladies' to be
used on ship.board after extensive inquiries in
large establishments with IN American resident
IN trade there, TO assist me, no such thing could
be found or heard of, but I got satisfactory
substitute in yard of thin green Grape.
have been long time In getting to the first
hat store but l have tried to explain, by the
way, some of the difficulties We had to encounter
on the road. At last we did accomplish three
blocks in safety, and reached the first location Of
which Col. Lay pointed out. With all his ignor.
ance the shop.man could understand Panama.
and looking at my dilapidated hat till compass.
sionately he compromising the si.ustion, he
soon covered the counter with every variety of
the desired articlc,fro So to three ounces. (S57A
which was the highest price of any met with.
AS figures are the same In all modern u.tions
and as they understand 5, it was easy to uexo.i.
ate. Or course, we did not purchase at once. but
went from shop to shop, pushing our iuou,ries
and enlightenius ourselves upon trade and com.
merce in small way in the West Iudies Inv.
ever may say in conclusion of this subject,
that the frat We called upon fiaally got our
money ~ We were satisfied he offered the HEAT
bare ain.
This enterprise, with II walk in front Of our
hotel, disposed Of our first afternoon in Havana
Then came dinner. Tue St. Isabel is KEEP. IN
the European plan, that is, you pay AZ much for
your room. and then for whatever you order nj
the restaurant. This is an excellent plan for
one who wishes to travel very economically. or IL
he be regardless OF cost, With bread and o,,fe.
or, better still, water, hung It Gan b. ..su.v.d
very che"r'y' or 1t you indulge in all you NAV
fancy on the b |! vi iar. you will be A, r,lcd
"hen You sre the lon. list drawn out !, ,l.
form OF bill. To the nv-r,.e nul.r.,e ,,,,.,,r
'h's system Is NUISANCE. lie has \ con.,.n,
hanker'nr for what he never wanted b.,,,.
Though he always de'c.,ed Tomatoes. hi. ,ovh
u at tlYS h., ,,,.l.