Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-02-21
A GLIMPSE AT HAVANA.
There Arc Many Objects Of Interest
In Cubn's CnnitaI


While the ears and the eyes oc The
tourist in Havana are filed with the
din from day TO day and far into the
night OF the ior notes OF the city's
strenuous life, the strident gonSs on
thousands OF carriages, the equally
noisy gongs of the trolley cars. the
masses Of color and the strange scenes
all about him. the minor notes or the
teeming life begin after II few days TO
make themselves heard, AMI these have
an equal attraction and charm. The
street vendors Of Havana and their
often melodious cries and occa sionally
the reverse. as, for instance, the rasp-
ing cry OF the peanut vender when IL
concert is OH at Central park or the
Malccon, are as interesting TO the aver
age globe trottcr, TO whom Havana is
but brief stopping place on his
rounds. ms 10 the more serious observ-
err. TO whom everything in new land
appeals as worthy of attention.
The street sellers have their hours
and their ways, and each appears at
his appointed time. A seller OF sweets
al dawn and seller OF mangoes after
sunset are alike inconccivable The
seller of balloons sounds small metal
pitch pipe. such as musicians use.
while the scissors grinder trundles his
wheel and gives out a small plaintive
air from a set of reeds. Freuuently
the performer embeIlishes the scale
with fugitive grace notes. according
10 his talents and taste. and the plain
scale becomes quite musical compo-
sition.
These two do not intrude upon one
another's methods. The balloon seller
and other balloon sellers will use
pitch pipe. while the scissors grinder
will use the reeds, and SO with the 9TH
ers. The sellers of fruits, of shoes, of
bread, of flowers. Of notions and count
less other small needs Of the people
have their individual mannerisms and
cries. and very quaint they are too
The tourist will naturally seiNch ont
specimens for himself, and as there Is
no dearth Of good material lie will
make discoveries at any hour of the
day in frequented as well as most un-
freQuented streets.
Some OF the more prosperous OF this
street tribe own carts, hauled by dimin-
utive donkeys or own ponies, on which
they pack their wares. You will even
come across even more diminutive out
dts. i'll which goat is the motive pow
or, and verv often the goat will be
caparlsoned with bells and plumes,
IN imitation OF the American horses at
tached to the merchandise drays, which
ure ornamented with great colored
plumes and bells and brass studded
harness. For the tourists needs and
desires the great stores on Obispo.
O'Reilly, San Rafael and other thor
oughfares in Havana will be found
sufficient for all demands. Obispo is
an ideal street = asphalt roadway,
wide concrete sidewalk, overhead avn
ings that stretch from housetop 10
housetop. which make delicious shade
and GOODNESS in the heat of the day,
and stores where the finest of French
and Spanish and American products
are on exhibition; fans, jewelry, bric-a-
brac, silks, laces, are here in the great
est abundance of the richest and most
ornate workmanship and at moderate
prices. The visitor will not soon weary
Of these most attractive thoroughfares.
Cuba Review.