The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-09-30

What they lack in size they make up
in steadiness and strength. They are
driven at a rapid rate over the Shiny
streets, n it is wonderful how seldom
they loose their footing. They never
seem to tire. They are apparently just
as fresh in the evening after q long
journey through the hot sun as they
were in the morning when they started
out. The drivers, like the animals, are
understood, and they, too, have wonder
full powers Of endurance.
QUEER CARRIAGES.
While the victorias are like the small
ones to be found in the large cities of
the United States, the %volantes are, as
has been said, peculiar to Cuba, and
they are wonderfully and fearfully con-
structed. They are used for service
mostly outside of the city. There are no
comparisons to be found in all the in
ventions on earth in the line of wheeled
conveyance that would do justice to
this queer carriage. In appearance it is
dangerous, yet one inside and seated
fear gives way and comfort reigns.
" ~ AN q IN
top Of a buggy. 1t is placed we'll in
front of a pair of large, strong wheels
secured on a heavy xle. The back of
the body is fastened to the axle by two
large springs, while in front it is at
tached to the shafts by means Of straps.
From the top of the body is suspended
an apron to keep out the sun. The
! shafts ox@ oI@,,k r1xk., Eo1k 1a-. No.
horses are generally used to draw the
carriage-one between the shafts, the
other outside and fastened to the wagon
by ropes The "thill horse" as the out
side animal is called, carries a heavy
saddle, in which the "caballera" sits
ergy. The body of the volante rolls
from side to side as the odd looking
vehicle goes dashing through the
street or over the country roads,
neither of which are we'll paved. This,
however, does not bother the driver.
He knows the strength Of his carriage,
and he seems bent on losing no time in
getting from one place to another. The
rate at which a procession of ~volantes
can "cover ground" is something as
amusing as it is surprising.
HOTELS MODELS OF NEATNESS.
The hotels of Havana are as good as
any in the West Indias. They are sup
piled with everything needful for the
comfort of the guests. The one pc
culiarity about them is the windows,
but this does not refer to the hotels
alone. They are near the ceiling and
are small and screened with heavy bars
of iron. No one knows why this is
done except it be to keep the guests
from dropping their trunks to the
ground and taking Trench leave" II
the city were as clean as the hotels,
it would indeed be a model place of
residence, but unfortunately little
thought seems to be given to the
streets, which are filthy, except a few
Of the more important ones.
A short distance from the hotels is
the cathedral, where the bones of Col
umbus found their resting place after
being moved from place to place a
number Of times. This was built in
1856. A large tablet on one side of it.
shows where the remains Of the great
d~iscoverer lie.
At the end Of two Of the most i'm
portant streets is situated the winter
palace of the governor general. It is
opposite the Plaza de Armas and fac
ing the temple which was erected to
the memory Of Columbus. This is the
finest section of the city and is the
home Of the weather classes. The
Casino Espanol, or Spanish club, is
here and is well worth a visit. Tourists
are always welcomed, and it is the de-
light of the attendants to show them
through the building and have them in
spect the fine paintings and s%tatuary.
1t is n of the most imposing edifces
in that section and for richness in
furnishings will compare favorably
with many Of the clubs in the United
States.
FINEST STREET IN CUEA.
Ell Prado is the finest street in Cuba.
1t is very wide and well paved. In the
center drive and at the junction with
other streets are to be found beautiful
statuary. Along the walks and drive
ways are the finest palms and tropical
plants on the island. The street is two
miles long and Is far superior to many
to be found in the larger cities of the
north. It is to Havana what Fifth ave-
is to New York.
The Plaza de Toros, where the IA
nous bull fights take place, is almost in
i H. 4@~k1- ~ 49, >~-- "a $500.