The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-11-18
A QUEER ISLAND.


Curacao is one of the queerest little
islands OF the Caribbean Sea. 1t lies sixty
miles north of Venezuela, Ia about sixty
and it has population of more than
fifty thousand.
There is no means of procuring fresh
water on the island except by saving rain
water in reservoirs. A number of wells
have been bored under the supervision Of
the Dutch government. to which 1t be-
longs, but each ended in failure.
A curious statement regarding these
borings is made 10y the inhabitants Of the
island. They say that in each and every
case, after certain depth was reached,
the tools dropped out of sight, indicating
that there is no solid foundation to the
island. The borings were made in low
places and through hills, aud in about
thirty different places, each with the
same ultimate result A few wells
have been dug to lesser depth and
brackisb. unpleasant tasting water is
obtained from them, tit only for manu-
featuring purposes.
The approach of the rainy season is
always an interesting time there. The
water in the reservoir is low at this time,
and the natives eagerly await the op.
portunity to gather fresh supply.
Clothing is never washed there in fresh
water, but at all hours in the day the beach
is alive with women beating the clothes
with clubs on the rocks.
The houses are all built in the Dutch
style, and are mostly of stone, with tile
roofs. The streets are very narrow, in
some places so narrow that il is possible
TO shake hands with the occupant of
room across the street simply by leaning
out of the window.
There is n scarcity of Young women in
tho island, but an overplenty OF old aud
wrinkled danes. IL is said the young
women leave home as soon as they are
OF manageable age and seek husbands
in Caracas, Venezuela, or some other
South American city. Yet there are
some of the prettiest girls there traveller
ever laid eyes upon. They are the daugh-
ters OF Dutch fathers and French mothers,
and the mingling of the two boods has
ing quite numerous there.
Three. quarters of the people there Is
of African descent, or mixed African,
Spanish, Dutch and Indian. A fow In
dams said to he descendants of the
Caribs, are still to be found on the island,
living In huts OF straw
Their sole business in these days seems
to be the pcddling of lottery tickets.
Everybody invests In the lottery there,
and as there are drawings each day the
peddling of tickets forms quite paying
business.
Some Of the Africans there are mag
nifcently formed, especially those en-
ployed along the lagoon in loading and
unloading steamers and ships. They arc
at home in the water and will dive under
a steamer for "real" or ten cont piece
OF late years they are forced to wear
suits while sporting in the lagoon near
the settlements, but rs the lagoon cx-
tends in the centre OF tho island s,veral
miles each way, they may be seen every
evening making their way in punts to q
point beyond observation where they can
enjoy themselves untrammelled by cloth
Ing.
The Maca pruen, or monkey plum, IL
the favoritc fruit, and the parrot is the
favorite bird. For 81 young parrot
that can talk in Spanish may be pur-
chased, and n mockiDg bird Gun be had
for fifty cents.
None of the liquor which obtains it's
name from the island Is made there now.
The Dutch have taken hold of the man
ufacture OF the liquor and transferred
the business TO Holland. II New York
Herald.