Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-07
of the Yorkville Enquirer.

Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer
EMPIRE, Isthmus Of Panama, Canal
Zone, December Is.
ITO the Isthmian life are lights and
shadows."-Dr Garfield.
Undoubtedly 1t Is on the lsthmus OF
Panama that one, whether prying into
the secrecies Of the reclusive jungles
or viewing the valleys Of greenest green
from some equally green hilltop, is con-
vinced that here, as it's written, day
unto day uttereth speech and night
unto night showeth knowledge" Here,
where the flowers blossom and fade In
beauty away untouched by the blight
of frost: where folks never wear furs
and where so many have lived and died
without having seen snow, or crossed
a frozen stream; where so often and at
all times OF the year the shouts and
songs of picknickers are heard, but new
er, through all the years, the jingle Of
sleigh bells-one may spend part OF
his life pleasantly and profitably If he
but watch as he walks and works.
Such as know not the tropics are
taught many things they could not
learn elsewhere; and sight-seers are
never sight seekers, for there are al
ways things which, for the mere be-
holding, satisfy the hungry eyes OF
man.
There are on the Isthmus, things
and persons pathetic; things and per-
sons amusing; things and persons
beautiful: things and persons delight
full, as well as things and persons dis
agreeable, and even disgusting. One
would probably not be contradicted
should he make the assertion that folks
come, an interesting throng, from
Gresnlands icy mountains to 1ndias
coral strand" and one can see here
turbaned Turks and Hindoos as well as
those who have spent a great part OF
their lives in lands where it freezes
and blows over the drifting SHOWS"
OF these some have been lured here by
exaggerated stories Of the delights OF
this country and Of the money that may
be earned. Some have just happened
along-cast up as wreckage and drift
wood from the seas Of life-and some,
bold with the impulse of adventure
have merely stopped for look and a
lesson and then passed on to otner
lands nSeen and unknown to them,
while 9th RS who are here have scarce
y he
circle their humble homes. Here, in
the shadow Of these great hills, they, as
babes, have listened to the cradle song;
and here as men and women, they,
without desire to be other than they
are or to have other than they have,
shall pass away.
The Weather.
What sorts O. wether have we here?
Wal, we reckon that we git our share
O. all that comes an goes,
'Cept wintry blasts an whirlin' SHOWS.
Truly the days here are days of sun
shine and shadow; and one is very
soon convinced that the weather here
when it is good is very, very good but
when it is bad it is horrid. Often it Is
delightful and just as often 1t is dis
agreeable. One hour one may be walk
ing along with little puffs of dust
squirting out from beneath his feet as
he walks, and the next hour he may
retrace his steps and find mud OF the
gluey sort clinging to his shoes ana
pulling heavily at each foot-step. NO
matter how cloudless the skies may be
when a man leaves home he will, If he
is a wise fellow, carry his umbrella
along, for once IL is the smile of SUM-
shine and again the frown Of clouds.
it is said that though a man have the
gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge and carry
not an umbrella that he should be look
ed upon as thoughtless or foolish
fellow.
There are rainings without and
dampness within; and often shoes be-
come covered with a greenish mould in
a single night. A man may pay a
boot-black five cents to have the mud
removed from his shoes as he goes 10
bed at night and even though his shoes
NAV shine in a way to suit the most
fastidious dude as he puts them ASIDE
he will find on the morning that the
shoes need a further brushing before
he puts them on again. 1t is the same
with books and with other articles OF
clothing. Though clothes be of the
finest wool or books Of the most beau
tiful binding they will, unless put out
I'm the sun at least three times week.
become gruesome wrecks of beauty and
usefulness. Because Of the rain, the
dampness; because of the dampness'
the mould; because OF the mould, veX-
alton and the trouble of brushing.
The hottest part of the day are the
hours from eleven o'clock till two. The
noon time, save when the winds blow,
is often sultry; and not only man, but
even the beasts of the field and the
fowls Of the air seem to feel the effects.
Then il is that the huge, ugly lizards,
OF which there are not few, lie pant
ing in the shade as the vultures circle
high above earth where, feeling the
strength Of the rushing winds, the heat
of the sun is not felt. 1t is in the calm
Of the noon time, when the shades and
shadows are so enticing, that Panama
may be said to be the land "languorous
with tropical inertia" But often, now
ever, the cool winds make the noon
ings enjoyable.
The fogs here are not only disagree
able. but even furious in their dense
ness and foulness. Fog prevalent al
break of day and, in rObbing the morn
ing Of sunshine and morning star. also
makes the early morning hours rather
uncomfortable, and at times, oppres-
~sive. The afternoons are the most
beautiful and the most enjoyable part
of the day, for the sun, shining over
the green hills. made dim in the dis
tance by mists of smoke, gives to eartf
a touch Of the Indian summer days ir