The Dickinson press., 1905-06-03
CUSTOMS IN CUBA.
A. Sesa BY Z. [. Beard psriss NE Stay Ii
the lslAad RspsNl1c,

At the market from six to seven in the
morning can be seen caravans of horses
and mules heavily laden with produce
from the country. A pack saddle IL
used with sacks or baskets made OF
palm leaves on either side, each large
enough to hold three or four bushels.
Often fruit and vegetables will be on
M side and pig; Q poultry on the
coal-the fuel of Cuba; others are laden
peddled from door to door at five cents
per bottle-each bottle holding nearly a
quart. Another horse bears bundles of
grass and fodder tied up and piled over
on 10th sides until nothing can be seen
of the horse but his legs,
Another common sight is the large |
two-wheeled cart made Of wood and
iron, the wheels from FIVE to seven feet
high, drawn by from one to four yoke
of oxen hitched by the horns as in olden
time. Some of these carts are loaded
with vegetables and others with mahog-
any and cedar logs, and it is a wonder
| how they manage to load and move,
some of the carts carrying from two to
three tons.
| During the day a be seen many
water sellers with carts drawn by goat
teams and loaded with cans OF water;
during the evening these goat teams
are loaded with delicious ice cream and
other sweets. They also carry sausage
OF a choice brand, made very rich and
seasoned with garlic and spices, OF
which the Cuban is very fond: Cubans
enjoy their wine, and rum mixed with
water. and you will see groups OF men
in the grocery stores drinking. all Jolly
but none drunk.
In the routine of Cuban life there is
no such thing as hurry. The old adage
"Never put Of until o what can
be done today" is reversed in this land
Of sunshine where nothing is ever done
that can possibly be put off. 1t takes a
week to accomplish what would be done
in a day in the north. The Cuban takes
time to roll a cigarette, talks and thinks
it over while drinking his cup Of black
coffee. The hot ~sun-which in time
makes even Americans lazy-no doub,
has much to do with Cuban character
but he has inherited an extremely easy
going disposition and nature in the
tropics has made provision for mans
sustenance with but little effort. Man,
in every city never seem to do anything
and it is a guess how they live even in
Cuba. Many women Of the poorest
classes would never think of STOPPING sc
low as to cook a meal, sweep a room %
do any kind of Homework; yet however
dark they may be, they always find time
to their faces with powder: Al
take time to enjoy themselves and wht
can blame them for not acquiring thu
cursed American hustle?
To one who appreciates children
Cuban little ones are a joy: The child
rem of the poorer classes 60 naked unit
they are four or five years of age. 1t il
no uncommon sight to see a larg'
family. the parents one light and ont
dark, and the children OF all the vary
ing shades of color. In the better clas'
families Cubans are delightful company
polite and obliging and as quick t
resent a slight as to appreciate an atten
/, ton.
! Fruit forms the principal article 0
diet. All kinds OF tropical fruits can b.
I had in the market and are very cheap
8 oranges one cent each and several varie
ties of bananas 25c per hundred; othe
things in proportion. Vegetables O
. markets. One is very apt to be weanc'
from a meat diet as it is cooked almos
8 as soon as it is dressed.
= Cane, tobacco and stock raising ar
e the principal industries. Stock of al
}; kinds does we'll and brings a good price
Quarantine regulations require holdin
y cattle six months before slaughter an,
the law prohibits the killing of cows TO
beef.
Land in large tracts, at from s. to 81
per acre, is being picked up rapidly an
stocked or farmed and the island viii
in the near future, be a very ric
country.