Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-12-15

gion is closely guarded by the Spanards.
1t is a breeding place for the revolutions,
and the little Instructions that constantly
spring up in the majority of the cases orig
mate here-a desolate enough place too
Mangrove swamps encompass the bay and
are infested with herons. The tide falling
discloses the black mud and oysters cling
ing to the roots of the trees Aligators are
found in the depths, and during the rainy
season mosquitoes swarm by millions Eight
miles inland is a range of mountains very
thickly wooded.
AT the entrance to the bay, browning a
hill, are the remains of q fort which is
rarely occupied. But at the lower end of
the bay, squatting as it may be, ON the
edge of the swamp in the midst of buzzing
mosquitoes and squawking herons, is a
dock and shed where military can always
be seen. Five miles inland are some bar
racks where the officers live. A more dis
agreeable place to be sent 30 is hard to
imagine. The poor, ignorant people who
IKE out an existence in the region seem
incapable of mischief. No one would think
that this is the most dangerous locality
in all Cuba. In the mountains, whose out
line can be plainly seen, is many a rebel,
who is perfectly secure from the author-
ties. There is a world of romance locked
up in these woody heights
Cubans look to the United States for aid
They trust that some time they will be in
position to offer themselves and the is
land to our nation. But the day is as vet
far off.
Aside from the political character that
attends the Cuban majority in Key West
there is a mercantile phase to the question
Everybody knows about the excellence of
Key West cigars. Now this tobacco is sent
over from Cuba. The only reason that the
Key West cigar has claims to superiority
over New York productions is that better
tobacco is obtained cheaper by the Key
West manufacturers. This of course APP
plies in general way, and Cubans assent
to the truth of it,
inferred from "A chance remark made to
me by an American resident OF Key West
that Cubans must have facilities for OBJ
tanning the tobacco in Key West that are
not available farther north. Despite the
watchfulness Of the United States officials
there is an enormous amount of the weed
smuggled into Key West. This is done in
various ways, by tricks well known to the
customs officers | was instructed by
stranger whom | met at Key West to 90
into a coffee house to buy my cigarettes,
and to be sure To ask for some without
stamps" He told me that | could obtain
them at 50 cents real, while the usual
price was 81 30 | did as he suggested. !
entered a dirty little shauty, asked for Gig
Rrettes without stamps" But uufortu-
hately three companions greedily followed
me in, and the proprietor. IA villainous look
ing scamp, assured me he had none of the
articles such "a ! wanted.
A comrade of mine, however, later went
to a coffee house, and following the in
structions that | had received, soon pos
sessed "A real of cigarettes ON which there
was no government stamp. They were
manufactured in Havana (the number and
street have escaped my memory and were
smuggled into America. Strangers, and
natives, too, are frequently approached on
the street by a negro or Cuban, who has
his pockets stuffed full of cigars. He offers
them to you at two for nckle. | assure
you if you buy them you will never regret
Is. They are equal to the best you can OBJ
tain at reputable establishments
ED. l.. SABIN.