Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-31
Cuba as It is Seen
By a Washington Boy
photos by STAFF photographer

Cuba, the Pearl of the Antilles has fall
ed to favorabiy impress one Washington
boy at least. This particular Washington
boy went there some time ago. filled with
stories Of the beauties of the island gather
ed mainly from guide books. He believed
all he had read. but his awakening was a
sad one One of his friends here has just
received the following epistle. The writer
does not apologize to Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow for taking liberties with 'Hia-
watha." but just turns loose and gives
his opinion of Cuba:
Il should like to go to Cuba said the noble
Hiswarhu.
ITO the Pearl of the Antilles first discovered by
There to and hear the wonders mentioned by
the rosy guide books;
See the fields all a-biossom and the agile
young banana;
See the monkeys swinging skyward through the
tops Of lofty palm trees.
Flirt with dark-cyed senoritas peering through
their barred windows
Eat the luscious aguacate and the ripe and juicy
grape fruit.
See the lovely Cuban gardens with their mass of
Bask in the romantic ozone family tinged with
See the bloody fields where Teddy broke the power
OF the Scaniards
Loaf in the alluring precincts of Havana and
Where for ages roamed and rambled the historic
Caribbeans.
enchantments:
Where Columbus Bobadiila. Ponce de Leon and
De Sofa
Lived and loved and had their troubles. fought
and bled and croaked the natives"
Listen here, said Mudjckeewis. wisest of all
You had better flag Cuba till you find out
about it.
Cuba is lovely country-for a man with the
For a man afflicted thusly has not time to mind
And he is SC, 50 busy moving that he would not know
But sane and healthy human should be care
full how he butts in
Do you know the active sand flea? Nowhere else
Does he grow 50 big and sassy; nowhere else on
Is life full OF pleasure and his hours fraught
with gladness.
They just the struggling pickets, the mere out
That awaits you upon landing, standing in a solid
body.
Walking with you up the Prado to the hotel of
| your choosing.
| In the bed cool and springy covered with mos
Ysu might think that the mosquitoes in our bud
ding northern forests
Or along the Jersey sesshore are some pumpkins,
That they cannot hold a candle to the skeets OF
There they are SO big and hairy that you think a
vulture's got you,
And they are 80 quick and supple. athletic and
That they find no trouble getting through the very
With one twist Of the proboseis they uncork q
Pennyroyal does not phase them. and with devilish
precision
They can sting the hand that slaps them" said
the fluent Mudjekeewis.
As for feas and ticks and jiggers gnats and
things Of all description.
What are they compared with spiders, virulent
and gross in body;
Centipedes and Roradoras, scorpions and ella mon,
sters? ut
There is no hotel In Cuba that has not a rat for
Who finds most exquisite pleasure scuttlins owe,
sleeping faces.
1t is this way in the cities. in the marts of trade
and commerce,
Where the health and sanitation are supposed to
be quite perfect.
When you travel in the country you will enter
arena
Where yoa buck against strange creatures that you
never knew existed.
Everywhere all things dirty; everywhere the
broiling sun pours:
Everywhere Is great discomfort heavy winds that
heat the body;
! II you're crazy over Cuba, stay away and read
the guide books,
Read the histories Of copquests and the lives OF
the DISCOVERS. t@F
Read about 1t, hear about 1t, be active as you
be
In collecting information on the Pearl of the An.
Bnt take my advice and never, never. never. never
20 there.
Spend yonr winters in Alaska, summer It OF
In the cell Of Capt. Dreyfuss; sleep at night In
cow stable, - 49,