Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-08

terra Is phenomenon and where two
years is rs much as most men can endure.
Stahbing and shooting ARRAYS are very
common and rarely receive more attention
than half dozen lines in the local papers,
in which sympathy is expressed for the
relatives Of the deceased.
"Thc proportion of men that one secs in
the streets of Caracas who arc minus an
arm or leg is greater by far than it WIS
in tho United states at the close of the
civil war. Comparatively few of tho Grip
pies here were manned in battle during
tho revolutions, most of them having been
hurt in private brG:wls.
Police regulations in Caracas are not
strict, bat l VIA very much amused the
Other night b. seeing u policeman calmly
watching a gambling game. Several resi-
dents of the cItr, 10 whom I mentioned
the Incident, did not seem TO think il par
ticularly strange. \ gentleman who lives
here thought l would be interested in see
ing n native bale, or public hall. He took
me TO place in Il side street in the center
of the city. Strains of music foated from
the open windows, making ii very easy to
find, rs all the noighboriny houses were
dark and as still as tho grave. We passed
through Il little harruom into n larger
apartment. used for gambling. Around a
central table was "a dense crowd, mainly
composed OF negroes, many Of whom were
shud with alrargatoS, tie sandal almost
universally worn by the poorer classes and
always without stockings. Piles Of silver
on the table represented the bets. A no.
liccman. in uniform, rifle in hand. stood
On the back steps, smoking cigarette and
watching tho Same over the heads of the
players.
~ sign On the wall notified gentlemen
wearing alpurg,tcs that they must not
venture on the ballroom floor. The baile
itself proved very low and very uniEterost-
ing. and. except in costumes and complex
ions, differed very little from affairs of the
came kind in New York.
There is great deal Of drinking in
Caracas. and the liquor is exceptionally
bad. The average corner saloon in New
York IS a palace compared to TIE places
here, and the quality of drinks sold in
them will not stand comparison. Brandy
is the fayoritc ;ipplc. and only the cheap
est grade Is sold Rum is inexpensive and
in high favor. Whisky is luxury not
commonly found.
Dogs form the main crop OF the coun-
try. Dogs crow in all sizes and shapes,
excepting these laid down by authorities
IS dcu0tinc special breeds Many of the
animals one secs in the streets are NANCY
| and covered with sores, and a wholesome
! slaughter would he public benefit.
Il fancy that tho supply of dogs has al
| ways been large in Caracas, rs the cathe-
/ dFal hero has IN odd functionary, called n
/ pororo, or dog boy. The present occupant
Is an urchin with black face, Very bright
/ eyes and a beautiful set OF teeth. In the
street he looks like any other little fellow
( VINO docs not keep his face particularly
c!cau, but in the cathedral he is quite i'm
posing IN his long gown Of dark purplish
blue anu his biz white collar He carries
IN MS hands stout whip, with n long,
knutted Lash, ana he walks about with all
/ the pride Of "a recruit in the army carrying
I a gun for the first time He Is quite ex-
/ pert, and loud yelps occasionally prove
that his whip hurts