Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-14

American CONSEQUENCES the 1nQe6crlDaDle grandeur and glory of this island paradise, could it come within our ruling, and the in- sxpressible hunger of the universal Cuban heart to enter our Union of States. If it is possible to make distinction, this portion of the island-the southern and eastern portion which struggles so long and valorously for freedom-holds more desperately to hope from our government, as against Spain, than that portion contiguous to Havana where the of statecraft and the repression of brutal tyranny render such open express sion very dangerous. But all day long over this old Cuban road our coming and halting and going voiced this fact of freedom hunger in most remarkable way. I cannot tell as it should be told for the large and importu- nate national duty it hints at, how these kindly folk along the way gazed on us as beings from some heaven-blessed land. Don Manuel was hero for his American citizen ship alone; and I was more than that for my simple birthright. An, we were Americans! That was the magic in 1t.
 We crossed two rivers on our journey; the Rio del Gaaratre, where two massive unfn- ished arches told of the splendid improve ments under way a quarter of century ago; and the Rio Cana, whose margin for leagues bristle with wild cane, from which whistles, baskets and bird-eages are made for the Ha- vana markets; when we left the lower shore side region for the upland districts. For the whole distance on every hand were flowers and luxuriant verdure broken only by the cleared grounds about lowly and once noble haciendas, and the reaches of cultivated fields of the estancias, or plantations devoted to general farming. One could see from the roadside alone anones, mamoneillos, man. goes, guanabanas, nisperos, cultivated and wild oranges, tamarinds, bananas, oarmitos, mammees, zapotas and pineapples; while the stately star of Bethlehem, the migno- nette, the vinca, the golden jasmine, the hib- iscus, the galen de noche, the flaming fam boyant the star cactus, the Carolina tree, the campaniIe, the Cherokee, Marechal Neil and cape rose, the jaequeninot, jonguil and lilies of the valley, the wild pea, honeysuc- kle and heIiotrope, and myriads more of the almost unnamable flora of Cuba dazzied the eye with color and filled the air with match less fragrance. But true to the bitter con- trasts everywhere noticeable in the island, the road itself was execrable beyond descrip- tion They are all alike. Though usually enclosed ss are the American country roads, they are utterly impossible for any manner of vehicles. Indeed, no vehicles are used in Cuba save in the large cities. In this region, agriculturally the richest portion of the island, the needs of between hundreds upon hun dreds of great plantations and Trinidad have been met by "paoking' on the backs of po- Hl6S auu Hu1cS lOE OfO1 hWO AuAUICO and during one-fourth of the time the roads are altogether impossible. Every sack of coffee, every pound of food, every article of furniture, has always been "packed" back and forth in this shiftless manner. The roads crook and turn to avoid obstacles just as the Cuban will do six days labor to avoid one. ''Beware the pantanosl" was the warn ing heard from every tongue throughout the day. These 'pantanos" are sinks in the clay soil where one's animal will plunge from per fectly solid footing fairly out of sight. We rescued five animals 50 mired, with their muddy panniers and packs, for dolorous and grateful pilgrims during the day. The 'span- tanos" are bad enough, but the desechos Literally refusals; avoidanees) are worse. These are ways cut around impossible places involving serious riding through bogs and jungles, and not infrequent goings astray il the dense forests. The fences of these re- markable ''roads" are curious affairs. Ere quently they are of the Spanish bayonet and the hemiquen with broad leaf and barbed point six inches long, strong enough to i'm pale your horse. Again strips of stone fence will be seen. Some are of pima de raton, ol bastard pineapple tree. But the larger num- Der are of phones botija Green limbs are cut from this, and when thrust in the ground grow instantly and luxuriously. Between the branches the vejuco de angarillA, hardy vine, is planted. This weaves itself through and through the hedge in all manner of fans tastic and tightening freaks; and as it bears lovely purple blossom. this fence is always strikingly beautiful to the eye.
 The oYerfowing hospitality of all classes of Cubans had remarkable illustration upon our tourney. It is fact that at nearly every house along the road, singly or in persistent groups, the occupants begged us to enter and tarry with them. If it were but for mo- ment, for greeting, good. If for little chats ter and ''coffee" better. If it could have been for a week or month, best. And this was the never~ending form of greeting and invitation from the head of the houses as he awaited us upon the highway:
 fBuenos dias, camara." wGood-day, citi zen.'D
 friendly
 "Hasta donde, buenaa" r'How far, goot
 'Boy, al Aguacate." (''To the Aguacat' district.')
 "Venga tomar cafe. listed va muy le jos" C'You go too far! Remain with m for coffee and rest.'O
 Again, being out of matches and desiring a light for our cigars, drawing up before case de vivienda, Don Manuel would sheut
 "La paz de Dios sea en esta easa!" "Th peace of God upon your house!'0
 " venga con voz!" CfCome you witl that bessingi'0 is answered back.
 "Hagame el favor de darme candela (sFavor me with lightly
 "Desmontesen y tomen fafe y feugo. (fDismount and receive both coffee an' fire.'O
 And there is no escape Coffee as well a light must be taken, else the guest is com mitting grave offense. Then you depart and there is no exception to this, you are fol lowed back to the road with blessings innu merable; the final, "Felix viagel-felix vi age! Dios le compane!" is shouted after u by the whole family; and eager muchacho run after us to show the safer way. Along in the afternoon we suddenly hear great rustling. galloping and hallooin some distance in advance. Our wise ponie 1 instantly grew restive and showed alarm We halted for moment; the yeomen lis l tsned and directly one cried out excitedly "Ah, biene un toro brayol" ("Hel
 comes wild bull'D The words were nc ont of his mouth before his feet struck th l ground. Whipping out his machete he Ct | with incredible speed way through tn | hedge. It was rot a moment too soor l Thundering around q sharp corner in tt 1 road came 8 wild bull, his pursuing ride | yelling, "Tengan cuidado con el toro | (''Look out for the bull!'0 The brute catcl ing sight of our group charged madly upo
 us, and it would have surprised your anise 1 seed fox hunters to have seen the vaultin
 through and over that hedge as the gleamin
 horns whisked by our ponies twinklin l heels; while true under all circumstances l the universal principle of Cuban pelitenes
 the vanishing vaquero turned in his saddl removed his hat, and with the bow of 8 coul
 tier sang out after our flying squad:
 tfPerdynemen, amigos; pero he tenido
 diablo con este torol" C'Your pardon, m friends; but am having devil of tin | with this bullt0
 And with such Winsome incidents and el
 livening happenings we drew near Don Maj
 uel's heme with the night; for as the tropi
 stars stars began to pulse and glow we sa
 it's twinkling lights, behind million lesse fre-fy sparkings, set in the ample ehad ows beneath 1aureIs, coco trees and majesti | royal pal1ns. EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN. 1 DONE.
 "A man can't help what is done behind h
 back" as the tramp said when he was kicke i out of doors