Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-12-24
LIFE IN PORTO RICO.
Former Randolph Boy Writes Inter-
estInely OF Uncle Sans Colony.

estlneIy OF Uncle Sans Colony.
Henry Lewis OF this place, who is as
sisting in the work Of Americanizing the
Porto Ricans by teaching them English,
gives in his letters from Patillas to his
home people glimpses OF the life and GUS
toms OF the island that appeal to the hui
morous perceptions of the Anglo-Saxon
race. He says
"Everyone is getting ready for Christ
mas and the feast times which they have.
Christmas Eve is the same as our Thanks
giving day for family gatherings, and in
each house they have feast if they have
money; II not, they go without but still
they get together. ! expect that there will
be something good to see in the church,
although on account OF the roughness and
rows OF former years the bishop has or
dered that there be no midnight celebra-
tions.
ssToday the excitement of the village is
large American horse and loud are the
EXPLANATIONS of surprise and wonder. The
people here have an idea that the horses
in the states are almost elephants. This
beast is large one, / should say, even for
one of our horses, but perhaps my eyes, too,
have gotten used to steeds that you can
jump over.
'.They have a way here of never telling
you the price of anything until afterwards
and then trying 10 soak you. A friend OF
mine was unable to make his landlord tell
him the price of board at first; the willy
Porto Rican couldn't fix sum till after
his boerder had voluntarily paid him sl3,
when be brought in a bill for 81 more,
asking 80 for accommodations worth at
the most SIS. They are fond of dancing,
but it is very different from the dancing at
home. They like to whirl in one spot as
fast as they can go, and have music for
two-step fast enough to make one run.
They have curious ideas Of laundry. My
white duck trousers came back to me with
creases on the sides and when ! ordered
them creased in the middle they returned
with a crease on each side and one in front.
"Last Sunday / attended church, and on
entering found the seats to be simply two
benches the length Of the church, one on
each side and occupied by women and
children in all kinds OF dresses OF all col
ors. pink, blue, red, yellow and black,
ironcd so stiff that il was an art to kneel
with grace, thing which all attempted
and few accomplished. On their heads
were handkerehiefs and shawls, from the
cheap Decent colored handkerchief to the
fine lace mantilla. There were few men,
and those few came in from the plaza
where they had been buying and selling
| few minutes before. Many were negroes
from the country, down for the weekly
trsding, with trousers stiff with starch.
saw several as they knelt on the stones
take out large bandanna handkerchief
and spread it on the floor under their
knees. OF course, they were all barefoot
and without coats. Altogether II was a
strange sight to foreigner.
s'The man, at whose house ] live. Senior
/ Davila, has been laid up with a broken leg,
caused by the kick Of horse. Yesterday
I he was able TO walk to church. and as a
demonstration OF thanksgiving, the whole
family, senoritas and all, accompanied him
| barefoot.
"Friday, November 10, was a fiesta in
honor of the discovery of America 40
years ago. The morning was devoted to
/ teaching the children some short pieces
and few songs. and be afternoon to the
exercises. In the morning / had the
honor of raising the stars and stripes over
the schoolhouse amid hurrahs and viyias.
1t was quite inspiring and have seen how
/ the Latin races like to cheer-they beat
college foot ball teams, ! believe, Thanks
giving day down here comes the first OF
the New Year, and ! expect there will be
great doinPs.
1T seems strange to read of snow squalls
at home, when everything is green here,
/ and the DAYS are hot as need be although
the nights are cool and pleasant. The
country is very pretty. The cane, which
/ will be ready to cut in month or two, il
all tasseled out. The tassels are shaped
! like a pine tree, very soft and light, and
almost pearl gray in color. They rise from
/ five to seven feet above the cane, having
as one looks over them from above, the
appearance of a large army of gray-clad
soldiers covering the whole country for d
mile or two"