The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-07-22
LIFE IN CUBA.

1t is the uncertainty that gives its
marked character to life in Cuba, as
elsewhere in the West Indies. 1t is
not exactly the s'let US eat and drink,
for tI- morrow We die" Of the old Ja-
maica planters, fer the Spsniard is con-
stitutionally temperate, and by no
means 50 freely disposed to hospitali-
ty as the more Jovial Briton. 1t is
not his way to keep open house for
all corners, and tables groaning under
loads of European cheer, supplement.
ed with turtle, land-crab and all man
ner of tropical dainties with buffets
covered with decanters filled with the
ardent wines of Southern Europe,
with RUNNERS Of sangaree, and "bev-
erage" perpetually on the flow. He
has rather Imported tho more frugal
fashions of the peninsula; he throws
his house open in tertullias and dances
in place of giving dinner parties he
Offers by way OF Refreshments tho light
iced drinks which come like the nee.
tar Of Olympus to the scorched palate
when the thermometer is standing at
something like ninety odd yeu have
fragrant coffee and chilly water with
azucarrillos and salvers heaped With
fruits that are fair to the eye and pleas
ant to the taste, although death or
disease may be the penalty of indis-
Greet Indulgence. The harp and quit
ar and piano, are in these !, Cuban
feasts, aud there are unhealthy, white
complexions, and eyes unnaturally
bright, and figures which want of 'ex
ercise makes ,over-yoluptuoas, or;
which are some what wasted by O. lcli-
mate that dries up the blood in the
veius. But the people take thought
for the morrow even less than In Ja-.
maica; for, although not much given
to thinking, there is vague impress
ion on them that the future is abso-
lutely uncertain. There may be
few who, under the strength Of that
impression, wissiy 4 make up their
minds to be content with . competena
cy, mere than they are ever likely to
want-7and then to 60 home. But as
= rule they fndy it difficult to stop
when they are busy in the pursuit OF
wealth, and when every thing is going
on prsspersusly. So they stay on
with tho idea that Cuba is not their
home, but only place Of temporary
sOjourn, psrsuading themselves that
they mean to return some day with q
fortune to end their lives in old Spain
All the time they are probably con-
sciess that the temptations to linger
where they are will always be too
strong for them ; that they will drop
out of existence some sunny day, very
likely when they least expect it. Yel-
low fever, cholera, and the terrible
cumito prieto are the scourges of the
island. Malaria in all its most malig-
nant shapes turks in the richest dis
tricts; in Ha&na itself the town is
wretchedly drained, and tho fresh
breezes from the sea blow over the
mango swamps or are tainted by the
decaying denominations that strew the
beach. So life in the capital is marked
by certain degree Of recklessness
and utter indifference to the morrow.
The municipality pays no attention to
sanitary arrangements. Wealth ell
bows poverty palaces rise in the most
squalid quarters, and many of the
most imposing houses are whited
sepulchers. 1e csc
TATTLING
In all tho black catalogue of vices,
which unhappily dsbase the character
of the sons and daughters of Adam.
tattling well nigh holds the pre.emi-
nence. 1t is the meanest the most de-
testlble of all habits, and when once
contracted clings, ~ it were, with the |
tenacity Of q demon. In view Of its
depravity, and the many and fearful
vices following in its train. the Lord |
commanded Moses to "speak unto all
the congregations of Israel and, say
unto them: Thou shalt not go up
aud down, az q tale-bearer am 0ng the |
people" and in the sacred psalm it is
written: "Wh,so privily slandereth
his neighbor, him will I cut Off"
The rabid dog, let loose in COM
mnnity to bite whatever man or beast |
he meets, is nstas dangerous as the
tattler. The dog kills only the indi-
viduals bitten, while the tattler's ven
ON poisons nailys and fatally, the !
whole cOmmunits.es He goes to . !
neighbor's, and listening attentively.
hears, perhaps, something that may
be used to the disparagsment, possibly
the ruin of another, which he drinks
down with the avidity witt which. the
thirsty topper does the fiery huid, and
then goes forth with yenomons tengpe
to disse inmate suspisisn, diatrnst, aud |
ranking hate, where befors was the |
abode OF neighSorly love and confd-
ing trust. -. ,iad, IL, r., a,fia4-g(
Thus tho peace of society il marred,
often disrupted confidence destroy ed,
friends made foes, discord aud strife |
created, and all the diabolical schemes
Of the father Of lies, used to destroy
all that is lovely and of good report,
furthsred by the tattlsr, who may be
compared to The viper in the fable,
that warmed and brought to life by
the care of too kindhsarted bens.
factor, turned and stung him to the
heart.
Two colored men took refuge under
q tree in a violent thunder storm,
"Julius, can ysu pray ?" said one. ssNo,
Sam" WAS the replY 0nehher nraxad