The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-04
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Special Correspondence OF lntellgenccr.
HAVANA, Cuba, Jan. eS.-To one OF
the north, accustomed to the wide. WE'LL
Kept thoroushfarcs, large apartment
stores and luxurious millinery and
modiste parlors OF our eastern cities, or
even the Very excellent and comprehen-
s!ve stores OF Wheeling. shopping ex-
petition down 0bispo o. O'Rs!lly streets.
the principal business streets OF Hava-
re, would be a continuous surprise, and
I'LL one with establishment, IL not with
CONSERVATION. These streets ore in the
old part of the city. are closely lined
with small shops OF either side, and are
from twenty TO twenty-five feet wide,
no. much wider in appearance than the
alley In Wheeling which runs from the
Carroll Club to Main street, The side
walks are of stone. and about two feet
in width, indeed, on Obispo street, the
dry goods and notion street. the side
walk in many places is not over one
foot In width. Just wide enough for one
person 10 walk along with care. and Il
the walk should be little wet or slip
perry. the care must be extreme and un-
rcm!itng.
The sidewalk has a very considerable
elevation from the street proper, and To
step off, on meeting another pedestrian.
requires some effort. I have often found
entertainment in picturing 10 my minds
eye. what the result would be. II the two
,rCuI ~ r.anl T,f1ff. In,
my schoolgirl days, or the innammable
members OF Kentucky feud OF the
present day, should, by chance. happen
10 be going In contrary ways upon the
Ob!spo street sidewalk, and am obliged
10 confess that nothing seems TO fit the
case except a vision Of the Kilkenny
cats.
These shops have but little. II any,
apparent wall in the front, are Very
shallow, and open 10 the street. The
goods are advertised By banners In
great numbers. strung across the street
from one building 10 another. one has
the feeling OF walking through contin-
u1us bazaar. rs TO those who visited the
Worlds Fair ut Chicago, and strolled
down the Streets of Cairo" no further
description is needed. save that We
neither have the camel, nor the IN
speakable Turk.
Neither of these streets is very long.
beginning at the Grand Plaza, and end
Ing with the harbour. a distance OF
about twelve blocks The only repre-
sentative We have upon these. the prin.
Ciple business streets OF Havana. Is 4
shop, corresponding in size 10 the Elm
Cove postoaice and containing goods
that no dcniZen OF that village would be
cauqht wearing. even In his sleep. 1t IS
called "The American store Shades OF
4. r. Stewart, Visions OF ArnCuld and
Constable. OF Lord and Taylor. OF Field
and Letter, and OF Waramaker. arise
and protest!
Many OF these shops are owned and
conducted, still, by SpaRsards and il Is
the complaint o: the complaining Gu
ban. that, though the officers and the
rank and file OF the army. and marT OF
tho planters have returned 20 "O!d Ma
drid," all OF the shop-keepcrs remain.
The measurements and the weights
here all differ from those in the north.
and the unwary maiden who HES her.
self to Obispo street and purchases the
usual sixteen yards for summer gown.
Will. perhaps, be able 10 construct the
plain foundation, but viii find herself
minus the frills. Linens and ducks sell
for very reasonable prices and are the
goods par excellence for this climate. I
should advise any lady who thinks OF
coming to Havana, TO provide herself
with one tailor suit OF very light weight
cloth and ducks and linens and shirt
yaists. ad !nllnltum. to wear during the
day.
In the shops here. as In everything
else, you see how dis!ncllned Is the
SDnnIgh Don to expose his treasure 90
The prGfaHe gaze OF the public. But few
Of his wares are open to the eye. II Is
only upon solicitation that one discovers
hrocldcs OF g)rgcous weaves. laccs OF
gossancr texture. ard diamonds of size
and brlll!arcy TO dazzle Tiffany.
THO methois OF doing business. too.
rcsrn odd to the buyG" from the north.
"garnn!a Days" are undiscovered In
Havana. A mrrchant almpiy announces
through the columns OF the newspaper
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