Norwich bulletin., 1913-10-11

The thought often occurred to me when wandering in the West Indies how much the Social Corner members would enjoy seeing this quaint and in- teresting corner of the globe
 With this thought uppernost in mind I am going to invite you to accompany me Con paper) to a Cubar- sugar mill and with your permission will weave little fiction into my travel talk.
 It was during the Zafra, or harvest season. which extends from December to May. that a small army of tourists might have been seen in the central station of the Havana Central rail- road. They were talking all at once and seemed in Joyous holiday mood. Two elderly ladies with sweet faces were frequently addressed as Grand ma" and Great Grandma"
 Among the crowd was a man with a strong, forceful face. clad in immac- tourists as Sisters" and 'tAunts" and was heard to call a charming young lady Little Buttercup." It was no small wonder, then, that a youngster edged up to him and inquired in awe struck tones if he were "the Captain of the Pinafore
 The question elicited such a peal of laughter from the tourists that the lad fled in dismay, before the Editor (for such was his profession) could assure him that the matrimonial sea was the only sea of which he was the cap- tain.
 The special electric express train for the Providencia Sugar Mill was called. and the tourists left the sta ton, followed by a reporter who was resolved to find out who these strange Americans were who addressed tall dignified man as "Old Sol.'' an up-to- date woman as Antique" a well bred looking woman as "Butt-Iny a young lady who was perspiring from the heat a Frozen" a decided blonde as 'B1ack Beauty" and a genial young man In a white linen Norfolk suit as "Papa's Boy"
 One of the tourists whom they called "AIways-In' dropped her umbrella at this moment and broke the Dresden china handle. A young man sprang to pick it up, and as he handed 1t to her he smilingly remarked, Tt seems you are not always in CAlWays-In ) but sometimes out..''
 Not necessarily @. E. D." she re- piled gaily, some of Hetty Marie's s china cement will make my umbrella handle as good as new"
 This conversation only seemed to In crease the reporters curiosity. This beats all my former experiences" he murmured The next minute he was startled by a sweet girlish voice call ing.
 
 Sympathy" 2"
 As no one volunteered any inforn1a- tion, the reporter murmured, l will meet these remarkable people on their own ground" Stepping up to the car window where the young girl was, he raised his hat and said:
 Pardon me, but you will find Sym pathy in the "F'ireAy" score, page s.
 The head was quickly withdrawn and peal of gfrlish laughter foated out through the window. At about the same time a bright, Cheery woman stepped out of the crowd, saying:
 Here I am "Girie" I stopped to speak to Stranger at the Gate" who had a big bow of yellow ribbon pinned on her shirtwaist" and do you know Sympathy could not under stand why she was greeted with shouts of laughter when she entered the car
 The train started and Havana was soon left in the distance. The seen cry from the car window was novel and interesting. Thousands of royal palms were seen, some of which marked the approach to country homes of rich planters. Dinnly concealed midst rich tropical foliage, could be seen little clusters of WhiteWaShed huts and roofs matched with palm leaves.
 One of the tourists seemed greatly interested in the native flora of the country and the wild luXuriant forests. He was addressed as Joseph Doe" by one of the party, who had evidently visited Cuba before She told him there were 3,350 native plants, besides those introduced into the country, and over thirty species of palm trees.
 Soon they came to what is consid- cred the most fertile valley on the island. It is almost entirely under su- gar cultivation. The sugar cane grows from six to twenty feet high.
 One of the tourists who seemed 10 be a great favorite with everyone in the car and whom they called "Aunty No. l." said: She would like to know how sugar cane was propagated. Can you tell me, "Budge' ?"
 Yes" replied Budge, T have read from cuttings
 The tourists saw the Cubans cut ting down the cane with machettes,