Year: 1871

| 1t was little unpleasant, too, to go to bed
with large bloodhound lying on the floor
but VIC were assured that it was much
safer to sleep with bloodhound, than
without one, so we quietly acquiesced in
the custom Of the country. The master
had his own particular favorite among the
dogs, huge black and white animal who
rejoiced in the name of Buena Moza (good
girl) She never left his side for a mo-
ment At meal times she stood at his
elbow, sharing all the dainty morsels, and
at night slept on a mat by his bed.


The plantation pets were subjects Of
much care and enjoyment to the master.
There was turtle pen with pond of
water in the centre, where he went every
morning with basket of bread and meat
to feed the creatures, which came scram-
bling up the bank at the sound of his voice,
tumbling each other over and over in their
hurried efforts for the first bite


Take care Of your fingers, he said, as
we leaned over the fence to reach bit of
meat TO a struggling reptile. " They have
sharp teeth. those fellows, and they like
to use them" After the turtles, the rab-
OAbn dnd llC BlEGOuS IGCClNCu Gtildl ;
and then the old man came to take his
seat at the corner of the piazza, where he
could look all ways and see that nothing
went amiss, while the pets running loose
about the yard came to him for their morn
ing meal, the chickens, the white guinea
hens, of which there were several hundred,
and the geese, all flying in answer to the
familiar call. A favorite among the pets
was tiny blue pig, which the old man
would take on his knee, and fondle with
great tenderness.


After the dumb pets were attended to
all the little negroes were sent for. Up
they came from their quarters, about thir-
ty Of them, with the old black aunty,
who has charge of them through the day
while their mothers are in the field, walk
ing behind with a long switch to keep
them in order. An odd little crew they
were, Of all ages from ten years old down
ward, with little woolly heads, big rolling
eyes, and chubby black bodies, scarcely
concealed by the short cotton gown hang
ing loose from the shoulders. Gathering
round their master they all gave thamorn-
ing salutation by kissing his hand and
dropping a quaint little courtesy. At
sign from him some of the oldest among
them set up a wild, monotonous melody, to
which sang vivas and blessings for all the
members Of the family, calling each one
by name, from the old man Of ninety five
years, uncle Of the owner, down to the
dark-eyed, curly-haired grand-child,
graceful witch Of eight summers All
the younger portion of this strange little
party joined in as best they could and the
whole band kept time by clapping their
hands, and twisting their little bodies in
wild negro dance. Although it was an
everyday occurrence, the master watched
it with delight, and cheered on the little
creatures with motions Of his hands When
the singing was finished each little pair Of
black paws was stretched out for the re-
ward,a piece Of white bread and 4 banana,
which the old gentleman took from a large
basket at his side and then the woolly-
headed crew we're driven back TO their
quarters, or taken TO play among the
neaPs of cruzhad sugar-oana. which is
thrown out from the grinding machine, ana
left TO dry in the sun. This Is used as fuel
to keep the engine fires, and is q. gro-s
convenience IN country where wood Is so
scarce. 1t Is necessary that it should be
dried, and the little negroes make excel
lent hands to turn the masses of damp,
heavy stalks open TO the sun, beginning
even in their childish play to assume
portion OF the labor Of the estate


The remembrance OF those long evenings
on the piazza Of the old Cuban plantation
will always remain with Us as a picture
full Of beauty and poetry, the light from
the lanterns swinging overhead bringing
out in clear relief the figures Of the com
pany assembled there the old men with
lcng white hair, sitting in heavy leathern
chairs, enjoying an evening smoke; the
quiet matron and mother resting placidly
after her daily cares the young people,
with bright, hopeful faces, cracking merry
Jokes among themselves, or singing some
simple Spanish song full Of plaintIve sweet
ness and the graceful little grandchild in
white muslin and long black curls, leaning
fondly on her granGf theirs chair,or bound
ing into the yard after the big cocullo, or
Cuban fire fly, to fasten in the folds of her
dress, or hang among her curls as nat
urnl and gaudy jewel.


And across the yard, only a short
distance removed from this sweet picture of
tropical grace aud comfort, was the other
side Of plantation life-the great mill with
it, flaming light only serving to reveal the
dark, weary faces Of the band of perpetual
toilcrs, working. day and night, with no
present and no future.-MRs HELEN S.
CoyANT. in Harper's Magazine tor Aug'lst.