The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-24

for one who loves the beauties OF nature.
It is lonely at times, but there Is always
the voice of birds during the day, and the
distant murmer of the sea. about twelve
miles away, singing her requiem or JOY
or sorrow, whatever the listeners fuoou
may be.
This settlement is stretched out along the
river, every house having its garden IN
front of flowers, palm, lemon and orange
trees; behind lay the ''fincas de cafe.
forests of rubber, climbing vanilla vines.
cocoa (chocolate) trees, graceful cocoa
nut palms and the broad leaf banana. The
houses usually consist of two rooms-one
To-? eating and cooking, the other for liV-
ing and sleeping. Some of these ''casas"
are built of reeds, with matched roofs:
others are built of brick, plastered inside
and out, whitewashed and with green
blinds, to shut out the heat by day and
bugs by night.
OF course, there is no glass in the win-
dows, and, since our arrival, we have had
cause to regret this fact; for even in
this sunny land we are visited by an occa-
sional Norther, which usually IS accom-
panied by cold rain, and for several hours
the chilly atmosphere is penetrating. Even
we, who are accustomed to the cold rains
around Boston. find our wraps very COM
Portable al these times. Many OF the
people have never seen a railroad ana
know nothing of our advanced living.
Content TO plod on. without ambition, IN
the footsteps OF their fathers, they appeal
to one in their simple sincerity and scrup-
ulous honesty, and among themselves ems
joy life to its fullest extent, the dull mon
otony of their lives being relieved by
their Sunday .sbailes'' This dancing on
Sunday is rather shocking TO our American
ideas, but they argue that the day was
made 10 rest, and recreation means rest
10 them.
SERVANT PROBLEM
Our original intention was to remain here
only two months. but the place has prov
en- SO fascinating that our departure has
been delayed till May. Naturally. some
trials have beset us, for one cannot expect
any earthly paradise to be without Its
flaws. One of the first annoyances was
not being able to secure servant Inc
Indians here will not so into service.
as they all have their little strip of ground
which produces sufficient, together with
their earnings from coffee picking, Tor
their simple needs. Preparing meals mere
REQUIRES some skill, as the Mexican bra
sero'' for burning charcoal is not used.
there being none of the latter fuel. SO
Mood fires are built of logs. and cooking
done upon them. Our first attempt was
ridiculous failure. The utensils would in
sist upon tipping over and spillins their
contents into the fire Then, when once
more propped up on the logs. a p3H OF
smoke would come, blowing smoke ana
ashes into the eyes Cnot to speak OF the
food giving a flavor to the dinner not
altogether desira BILE After few such
disasters we went to Vera Cruz for stove
thereby creating much amusement for the
natives. OF course. they had seen stoves
before, but the mica with which ours Wss
adorned was an innovation. and they
could not comprehend why it did not melt
Naturally. one of the first things we de-
sired was Boston-baked beans, and one
,f the neighhors dropped in while we were
preparing these. She opened her eyes rath-
er wide when the mustard vas put ~
but Hhen the nolasses was added. that
VAS one straw too much. and she Went
home convinced beyond q doubt that We
had spoiled our dinner. Another one of
our possessions-a Reming tom typewriter
is q monstrous curiosity, the wonders
o! its mechanism elictinS supreme amaze
ment, and they look upon its possessor as
n prodigy OF wisdom. lnarveling that he
should have mastered its intricacies.
Among the curious pictures that we have
Glanced upon in our many -JauntS: one
was that of family seeking pastures new.
Tat,y. had all of their earthly possessions
"a few pots and pans. together with a de-
i5cted looking roosterl tied to a super
animated horse Accompanying the man
anu. woman. who We're trusging cheerfully
along. were FIVE lean dogs and a cadav-
erous ..billy-goat . None of the family
appeared to be overfed, but contentenent
was depicted upon the scountenance OF
both man and Woman-that sublime con-
tentment that only visits those Who know
not the sordid world nor care naught for
its ailuring glories. Should we envy or
pitv them, we who live striving TO
secure the srnattainable and fitting pleas
,,res OF civilizaiized society? "luien sabe?''