The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-10-19

mountains on all sides, AdJuntas, aside
from being delightfully."- healthful is
picturesque. The town is exceedingly
pretty with its little square plaza in
the center, filed with the most beauti-
full roses of all kinds, palms and all sorts
Of towering bushes. In the center OF
the plaza is lamp post with lamp
that is seldom lighted. Near ono en-
trance is little store, built like an
American garden house, and in this can
be bought all kinds of liquors, coffee,
bread and fruits. AT intervals around
The plaza are placed seats; and among
the flowers are the remains of two foun-
fains. All the best stores-two-the
casino or saloon, shoe shop, hotels,
tailor shops, alcaldia and as many
houses as can be crowded in, face the
plaza. All the stores sell liquor at re-
1rarkably cheap prices. For instance,
IA fine grade of cheap sherry can be had
for 60 cents, American money. Linens
and laces are especially cheap; but the
stores carry very few dry goods, as the
people depend chiefly on the venders
of small goods, who go through the
streets with baskets on their heads,
from whom you can buy anything from
baby's rubber ring to very pretty
dress.
All the saloons, or casinos, as they are
called, have gambling rooms that are
constantly crowded, for, like France,
this is great gambling country. Every
afternoon cock fight is held to Which
AL go, both young and old; even the
children OF seven or eight betting. A
priest here CANDLES, and is said to wiz
more than anyone else at monte. On
nearly every corner are little stands
with oranges, bananas and peanuts for
sale at ridiculously low prices. Two
centavos or cent is the price OF three
oranges, and the little bananas, as they
are, called, sell six for a ceat.
The hotel from the outside looks like
shanty, and as far as building goes
II is one. Entering, you find yourself
In large square room; in the center is
a table with pot of flowers. and facing
the table, row on each side, are rock
ing chairs; against the wall are
straight-backed chairs. The only 9th
er furnishings are large mirror and
two other tables, one bare, the other
with plants. This room opens into the
ffining-room, where long table COW
cred with brown oilcloth and the chairs
are the only articles of furniture.. The
bedrooms are small, with two single
beds In each, devoid of springs or mat
tresses; simply with sheets and one
blanket drawn over the canvas; butea
canopy or mosquito bar, made of mus
lin and tied hack with ribbons, is sup
piled. The only other articles are a
single chair and an old-fashioned wash
stand and dresser combined, on which
Is an agate ware wash basin filed With
wafer, in which both oceupants are sup
posed 10 wash. The only redeeming fea-
ture Is that everything is clean.
'ss The people are dark in color; even
the Porto Ricans OF the better class look
as though they had a tinge Of negro
blood and little Indian. The latter is
seen in the very lowest classes, in the
high cheek bone, sunken eyes and very
straight, black hair. The Spaniards
seem purer b.ooded, more Intelligent
In fact, superior in every respect to the
Porto Rican. These people are not only
lazy, but ignorant and dirty; they never
battle and always appear to have on
the same clothes. Asa general rule both
men and women go without shoes or
stockings, and the children often wear
no clothes. Their chief food is plan
tains, species of banana, which they
boil; oranges, bread and bananas. Meat
s is SO expensive that many Of them have
never tasted ii, and they show it, for
they are undersizcd and anaemicloolx-
ing. Their ignorance is sometimes sur
prising. One day I heard the town
physician ask man his name.
II don't know" was the reply.
sWell, what is your mothers nameY
At that the mans face frightened
and he said: "Just wait until go UP
the street. see man fhet krows her
name, but II don't. = That is one; In
stance, and many more Of . similar ma
kure could be cited.
During the coifee picking season the
beous 81 laborers work, receiving 50
6enfavos. or about 80 cents, . day At
ihe end Of the season. instead Of looking
@|lor othcr work. they gamble and enjoy
11ls until i1leir money d eope; then
<key begin to steal Daily we are told
o< people dying froua <anger. n this
1It{lo lc<ru fhero 'ar4 zometiuea ten
1aneI1I. : ~. l1|Is 8 the way they