The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-07-25
SHOPS IN CUBAN CITIES.
ONE DELIGHT FOR WOMEN ABSENT
FROM THE ISLAND.


Walt on Sou-Grocery stores Lacking
Attempt OF au American Oncer Ia
Buy 100 Shirts-A sword Mt "a bargain
To be caught shopping in the mid
die of the day in Cuba is to expose
ones self to be considered either a
lunatic or n stranger synon-
ymcus TO the cynical Cuban. During
the later hours of the afternoon or in
the evening are the allotted times, and
1t is then women stroll forth TO scan
the counters aud criticise the latest
styles In lace mantillas. There are no
large department stores as In Amer
lea, no bewilderIng vistas of articles
dear to feminine hearts, no miles of
aisles, no multitude of floors, no
swlft-mOving elevators; in fact, there
are only three shops in the whole of
Cuba containing more than one room
devoted to the sale of goods.
recent arrival in Havana, the wife
of II Major Of volunteers, sailed ont
on her second day to look for the
shopping district She called n car
riage, but was unable to explain her
needs to the native driver, and, after
driving bootlessly through the streets
Tor several hours, returned to the
hotel.
There is n nota shop in the place, -
she declared, half in tears. 1T is
dreadful"
There must be stores OF some
kind, replied her husband. "Peo-
pie surely buy things"
But | looked everywhere. | saw lots
ofhouses md they had thu cir doors open.
but they must he like those little
cheap places we have at home, where
they sell calico for five cents IL yard,
and knitting yarn aud aud thread.
Where are the large stores?'
The Major concealed n smile.
1--WE will go forth and explore, nv
dear he replied. Seems TO me I
saw large shop down near the Pra-
do.
He led her to n corner building.
which had doors and iron barred win
dows and an awning over the side
walk. They passed in aud discovered
n long room containing n counter run
ming parallel to the wall and several
dingy cases. Heaped about were cot
tons and silks and wearing apparel of
various kinds. Back of the counter
were seated half dozen young clerks.
each with cigarette III some stage of
combustion in his mouth There were
no placard3 extolling the merits OF
the goods, no glistening metals or
glass. Near one of the doors-there
were several-was pile of shoes rest
ing haphazard upon an empty, I'M
draped wooden packing case. In
bearing an assortment of gaudy
shawls. The windows were narrow
and barred with iron. There was alb
solutely no pretence of decoration or
window dressing. 1t was simply II
room with shelves, Il counter and sew
eral cases
The clerks glanced up listlessIy aud
presently one approached, still puff
ing at his cigarette. At the same
time little bald man with carefully
waxed mustache left mr. inclosed wicker
cage In one corner and came forward
rubbing his hands.
"The Cuban merchant, suppose. -
suggested the Major.
There was an effort at conversation
the volunteers wife discovered a
quantity of really fine linen at marvel
lousy cheap prices, and finally a pur
chase was made.
Il suppose they have a-er-de
livery system" she remarked doubt
fully. ''Or do they carry their own
bundles?"
The question was answered by the
action of q Cuban woman near Inv.
who had bought number of articles
These were wrapped up by one of tn,
clerks and given to barefooteC
negro girl who had entered with the
customer. The custom Of the coun
try stood revealed
Each purchaser brings his owl
delivery wagon, remarked the Major
as he thrust the package of liner
under his arm. 'Not bad ide,
where vehicles are dear and servant.
plentiful.
In Santiago de Cuba, city Of som,
$4,000 inhabitants, there arc not thre,
shops worthy of the name. Tn,
largest store is located ON Call,
Enramadis, back OF the palace, an,
the entire contents could he displaye,
IN the parlor of an ordinary dwelling
house. All manner Of goods are oI
sale, however, and it is possible {,
purchase anything found in the gen
eral country store OF tho Unite,
States, but not in any quantity.
a Captain IF the Fifth Immunes.
young Southener with the reputation
of looking after his company's in
terests regardless Of personal cost
applied Mt the largest store in Snnti
ogO fer light linen shirts.
We have them, senior, replied tia,
clerk.
''Nany?"
ooh, yes plenty"
Well. let me soc, unused TN,
military philonthropist, doing IittI,
figuring. Send ont ~ tho Fiftl
Volunteer camp tn Captain BlnnI
about one hundred shirts. nssorte,
sizes, aud have Them there by "
senior, seuor' hastily iuterrupte,
thc clerk, aghast. eve have not tha
many, we have not ono dozen. ON,
hundred shirts There arc not twenty
five IN the province Of Santiago. ON,
hunlredr' Tho shirts were ordcre.
from New York.
Tho entire absence Of what we cal
green grocery storos early become.
apparent to- tho visitor. There arc
small shops i'm which can be bought
teas and sugar and articles of tina