The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-24
Their Boundless Hospitality and
Quaint Customs as Observed on
a Journey Into the Interior

line connects this town with the ca pi-
lal. Port au Prince. 1t Is controlled
by the Government, but can be freely
used by the people.
The population Of tbs town is about
1000. mostly farmers. A good sized
church and school are here. and a
schoolhouse Is partly completed, work
ON 1t having been stopped owing to
the Governments lack of money. Here
We are made welcome by the priests
and after a fine bath and a bauntiful
repast We spend the time In conversa-
ton with them. They were anxious
TO hear the latest news from the States
and we TO he enlightened about Havti
and It's people. The majority of priests
In llayti are French. coming from
Brittany. and by their home training
are particularly fitted for life in an
agrlcultural country. They are good
farmers and dairymen. as well as being
good scholars and teachers.
A short distance from the town we
got our first view OF one OF the high
plateaus (prairles) OF this strangely
diversified land. Great level plains
stretch ten TO twenty-five miles around
covered with grass reaching up to a
saddle girth and dotted with herds of
fine beef cattle and goats. The habita-
tons are neatly fenced around with
cactus hedges and ]rrounde by
many fine shade trees. Comfortable
homes they are, occupied by Indus
trious farmers, who ask only that the
country be made tranquil and that
they have rest from continual political
disturbance. 1t is strange that the
only kind Of disturbance IN Hayti Il
caused by politics. Grimes OF private
violence are practically unknown,
though no doubt in time OF revolution
private feIds are satisfied ia the name
Of pubic policy.
We part with reluctance from our
hospltable friends aud continue our
trip across the plateau through a beau
tiful rolling country 10 Thomasico and
from there TO Fcrca Ia Source. While
tordlng the river, which almost com.
pietely engirdlss the small plateau
upon which this village is built, the
scenery so impresseS me that I wonder
II there Is a pretti.r location for a
NliIage IN any country. Surrounded by
hllIs the plateau about which the river
no"s Is as level as a parade ground.
Following the bend of the river the
cottages are built. the village beini,
composed OF a circle OF houses. and
the village green has the ap~pearance
OF an smphitheatre. A fine place for a
set OF Olympic games.
The church Is OF course the nos,
prominent building and the priests
nouse' close BY the most ]pretentious
o"ellihs' Here we are invited TO maxi,
ourselves at home. which we proceed
TO do. Being already known to III.
priest l insist on providing the lardeI
IN exchange for the accommodation of
lodging. This arrangement finally
consented to by the priest, | give n.
sacristan 81 and tell him to Law in a
STOCK or provisions and 10 call on m.
ior more money when needed. The
next day. seeing a whole sheen
skinned and cleaned. hanging I'm the
Kitchen. | conclude that most OF my
money mas been spent for this item
unt'l informed that the sheep cost 81.
Our table was bountifullv supplied
win mutton. goat. chicken, eggs.
bread vegetables and fruit during our
stay or i've days for 81. We had yar-
u teas served made from the leaf Of
the orange tree 1.-THE d~'orange). from
the peppermint leaf CHE de bon,.
The native brown sugar ,rapadeou,
nearly as pa'atable as our own maple
sugar. Fresh milk every day and oc-
~as!ohaIIy cream cheese. Rice and
Deans. with mushrooms, cooked as
'hey can only he cooked In lIayti.