New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
THEY HAVE NO USE FOR MONEY.
A SETTLEMENT ON THE IsTHMUs OF PANAMA
WHICH Is NOT WORRIED OVER
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS $

I'VE had to remain In Panama Bay three days be-
fore the steamer sailed" said a traveller who had
recently returned from trip the Isthmus. as
he lighted fresh cigar, land friend and decided
to spend the time exploring the bay. We hired two
West-India darkes. who had a longboat. with a
sail which could be utilized when the wind was fair.
to row us around. Well. Of course We sailed up the
canal far there any water and saw the
progress which had been made or rather the lack OF
progress: but that is another story.
I'VE shot one alligator and shot at dozen more.
They lying along the banks Of the canal sun
ming themselves and looked exactly like logs 10 the
inexperienced eye. from distance. Upon nearer
approach the log would suddenly become animated
and would slide off the bank into the water. with
splash.
But what started to tell about peculiar
settlement OF natives distance UP the northern
shore OF the bay. 1t seemed peculiar to me, but
such things may be common down in that country.
/ told they At any rate. II was a settle
rnent OF people who had kept themselves so far re-
moved from the modern world that they had no de-
sire for money.
ITO tell the truth they have little or no use for
money. but yet have never before seen people who
honestly cared little for the OF all evil as
these half f-naked natives OF the Ishmus did 1t was
a small settlement OF perhaps two dozen houses.
dwelling consisted OF small poles stuck up endways.
an inch apart. to allow the air TO circulate
freely with a thatched roof Each habtation con-
sisted room. open the of all the neigh
bors through the spaces between the poles
In this lived father. mother. children pigs, dogs
chickens and any other animals in the possession OF
the family. The children up 10 the age OF twelve
or fourteen did not clothing whatever,
and the adults none to amount TO anything Ba-
nanas. cocoanuts and other tropical fruits grew on
every hand and there were plenty OF hsn IN the
bay which easily caught
THE members Of the whole community seemed to
spend their time much the alligatorS did, lying
about sleeping and summing themselves When tney
wanted any fruit II was TO be had Tor the PICKING,
a long sail in our small boat. from the snip lying
at anchor in the bay but had started early, the
wind was far and arrived az the settlement
about noon. The natives paid little attention 10 US
as We passed. Others partly opened their eyes and
stlessy looked up upon our approach out Wnen
ge had passed they seep again without 50
much turning their heads to see where we were
going. FL.
"Our guides told US to pick as much OF the fruit
as we ~ she'd We expressed a fear that the owners
would object. but assured that they would not
So picked a basketful in one familys oack-
a backyard But felt somewhat guilty never
ihe.ess in walking away with big basket OF de-
lcious fruit without much as Offering 70 pay any
thing for IT, We so expressed ourselves 20 our
guides they tod US 10 offer the people something
whatever We pleased. 1870.
Il took several small silver pieces from my pocket
and Offered them 10 the who seemed 70 pe the
head Of the family He was lying with half-closed
eyes near the entrance of his home. He opened his
eyes a N;tle wider when approached, looking at the
coins in my outstretchei hand shook his head ana
mumhled something which could not understand;
| looked inqulringy al the guide VINO had followed
ne He says he has no for IT,, the guide in
terpreted and went way and II was star
light when we again reached the ship