The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23
Sizes 8 to 10 Years

policemen and soldiers look for al the
world like those articles fabricated OF
painted tin and brass. which are at this
season delighting the hearts OF American
children. The Cuban policeman. and sol
der as well. present a heater appea rance
than do the soldiers and policemen IN
America The Havana. policeman wears
a uniform made OF blue cotton kersey,
on his head a jaunty cap. and mace
and pistol IN his black leather belt He
invariably presents a cleanly and alto
gether neat appearance, in fact as he
stands on the street corners. curling his
mOustache-I have not seen a policeman
without a moustache since came to
Havana-he looks every inch the dandy.
But II ! really wanted help in time OF
trouble should prefer the less comely
but more substantial American cop.
Guards Neat in Appearance.
The soldiers-the rural guards they are
called-are invariably neat in appeara nee.
They wear khaki, and il Is noticeable
that they are far more particular about
having their shoes polished and about
the freshness OF their collars and cuffs
than are our soldiers l do not think
this care bestowed upon personal appear
ance indicates discipline. but IS simply
the manifestation OF the Cuban tendency
towards dandyism. one sees this every
where. II is a common sight to see a
young Cuban ont for a horseback ride
caracoling through the streets with the
animals name and tale braided with
ribbons Of every imaginable color And
the horse IL always cutting up shines"
for the Cuban likes that kind. / have
not been able 10 see in Havana or else
whore IN Cuba that / have been a horse
that was gated 10 a good walk or q
decent trOt The sinRle-foot or fox-trot
are the universal Raits. Even the milk
man. who comes on horseback I'm Ha-
rrar rsrf r k.-a
on the back OF his little horse. caracoles
from door to door as though he Were
simply trying 20 show OFF, his steed
The mule Is a most popular riding animal
in Cuba. lie inva riably has the running
walk habit Cuban horses are small \
great many horses are imported from
Kentucky. The mules come chiefly from
Missouri oxen are popular beasts OF
burden. I saw n team OF them being
used instead OF a switch engine on the
railroad yards At Batabano the other
day. Hay burners the Americans call
them. Cuban oxen can pull little more
than half the load pulled by American
oxen, owing to the peculiar and cruel
method employed by the Cuban TO at
tach the yoke. Instead of the bows be-
ing bent around the oxen's neck ana
fastened to the yoke AT the top. the
yoke is laid on top OF the heads OF the
team and bound 10 their horns with
in making Cuban employees adopt the
American yoke
A ''Three-Story" City.
There are many things in this Old city
OF Havana a description OF which arm
sure would inte-sst readers Of The
Times Dispatch. bur I may have some
thing more TO say ut another time con-
corning some 81 the pecuiinrit.cs. If
may not say novelties" which have in-
terestcd me. 81 IS a three story" city.
Many Of tnr Buildings arc of two stories.
7 believe there are none 81 over three
stories. There are no frame buudings.
All construction SIS OF stone or brick. and
walls are much thicker thsn are TIE
walls of buildirss iu American cities.
Tho windows. OF residences os wen as
business E0uSes are invariably pro-
v.Ced with heavy iron bars and in tire
tempcstlous past OF Havana. where riots
and revolutions have been Of such fire.
qucnt occurrence. bars have proven Of
great service. To is a common sight 70
SEQ galiants standing on the pavement
talking through tho bars to dark-eycd
sonortas. for no young man IS allowed
TO be alone with q Spanish or Cuban girl