The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-02-24
LETTER FROM HAVANA.
SIGHTSEEING IN THE CITY.
HAVANA, Feo. | 1890.

HAVANA, Feo. 1900.
Editor Democrat Star.
The morning Of the 2Sth Of Deccm-
ber dawned bright and clear. The
last vcstige Of the welcome norther.
which unfurlcd our sails at Middle
Fleet and waited us safely into Hav-
ana harbor in four days after we had
departed. and when we stepped on deck
warm breath from the south kissed
our checks, still pale from the effects
of sea sickness, and filled ones mind
with bright anticipation of ii long
days exploration into the past glories
of Havana But alas, when we de-
scendcd into the bright little salon
Of the Powell for breakfast. we found
our jolly Captain Pindcr almost pros
tratcd bv his arch enemy, neuralgia.
Bravely he offered to escort us, but we
would not hear Of 1t, and not daring
to venture out into the rabblc OF
strange tongues that came to US on the
breeze from ashore, we remained on
the vessel until after lunch, when the
Captain insisted on taking US over the
city. A yolante was secured, lin Yam
kec land the zone horse Shayh) in
which we four found ample room, cX-
cepting as to height. The Cuban WI.
men, land when | say Cuban, / refer
also to the Spanish senoras and seno-
ritas and all the amalgamated female
race) use only lace scarfS for head COW
cring. carrying parasols to protect
them from the suns rays. These vol
antes were built 10 recognition of their
style. and not for the American hat
and feather, and before we could set.
tie ourselves for comfortable sight
seeing, we were compelled to bare our
heads. The children were highly en-
tcrtaincd by the water carts which
we're two wheeled, and drawn by little
unkempt d0nkeys, with sleigh bells
suspended about their nccks, who
trOtted about meek and l0wly, EN-.
blcms of patience and martyrdom.
The big wall of disgust which the
children sent up at sight OF half a
dozen perfectly nude children making
mud pies in the street threw our Cap
tain into conyulsions OF laughter.
"You'll get used to that, children; it
is the style in Cuba"
The condition aud style Of Havana
has been so thoroughly written up,
it seems presumptious in me to re.
peat that the broadcast streets are
only from twenty to twenty-five feet
wide and we we're in constant dread
Of having a wheel jcrked off In pass
ing other vehicles. Right here,
think It apropos to give great credit
To the scientific drivers OF these vol
antes. They tear along at a most
reckless pace and turn a corner appa-
rently an one wheel, so rapidly 40
they drive. Notwithstanding the
limited space aud the rapid move
ment, an accident Is unknown. one
Of the most needed reforms IN Hav-
ana lloe In the power Of the Humane
Society. 1t is enough TO curdle ones
blood to see tue patient oxen. Instead
81 being yoked together they are pull
ed along by a rope It'd -toa ring In
each Of their noses, while man seat
ed on the cart behind, prods their
flesh with pointed. spear until the
blood flows. The horses are miserably
poor In flesh, yet they are unmerclful.
| " whipped and forced TO travel be-
yond their strength. =
or the extreme illthoi tAe houses
the people and the strcets, statemS
could no g overdfawn.