Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1916 — Page 2

Island of Pearls

IT WAS my good fortune to spend the first part of the year 1915 upon the little-known island of Margarita, lying off the north coast of Venezuela, in the interests of the Museum of the American New York city, which institution senT me to this region to make an archeological survey, writes Theodoor de Booy in the Bulletin of the Pan-Amer-ican Union. The various handbooks on South America give but scant information about this island, and, strange to say, ond* finds a great deal more mention made of Margarita Island in the early historians of the sixteenth century, such as Las Casas, Herrera, Oviedo et al. than one does in modern works. Without going extensively into the early history of the Island since its discovery in 1498, I ■might mention that pearl fisheries in the waters surrounding Margarita and Coche were of prime importance during the first 30 years after their existence had been discovered. The fisheries, however, were exhausted by the careless management of the early • Spanish settlers, and Margarita island became lost to public memory and remains lost to this day. Margarita was occupied by the Guaiqueri Indians at the time of its discovery. This fierce race of people was not readily subjugated by the Spanish colonists. Thanks to the warlike qualities of this race, a large percentage of pure Guaiqueri blood remains on the island today, more especially on the north coast in the villages of Juan Griego and Paraguachi. It is in these villages that the locally renowned Margarita hammocks are made from the native cotton, and these hammocks command t a ready sale on the north coast of t'he mainlland and are even exported to the British island of Trinidad. One sees the Guaiqueri women making the thread for these hammocks from the native cotton by the ancient spindlewhorl method, and cannot but admire the industry of a race that will walk from 15 to 20 miles along mountain

paths to the town of Porlamar to sell, for a mere song, a piece of work that took the entire family some three months to complete. Loaded down with a couple of completed hammocks on their heads and with another hammockor two carried on the arm in a native-made basket, these women present what is indeed an<4hteresting sight as they walk along the roads, busily fashioning new thread for future hammocks and steadily talking all the while on subjects of local interest Three Towns of Importance. There are three towns of importance on Margarita island —Porlamar, Tampatar and Asuncion. The entire island has a population of about 40,'OOO souls, and Porlamar has about b,OOO. Porlamar is the busiest and most thriving of all three towns and ■the largest It is at Porlamar that the bimonthly steamers of the Venezuela company call, although it must be stated that this service is most uncertain. A biweekly service is maintained by sloop with the town of Carupano on the mainland, and intending travelers for Margarita are advised to make Carupano their objective, and to there await the departure of some small sailing craft for Margarita island. While this method may be moire uncomfortable, it is far preferable to a long wait on an uncertain coastal steamer, and one is certain having to rimain in Carupano for ndt fever three .days at the most Pampatar is the official port of the island, and it is here that all vessels dying a foreign flag have to enter. A

monthly service of a small cattle steamer, with limited passenger accommodations, plying between La Guayra and Trinidad and taking in some of the coastal towns en route, connected Pampatar with Trinidad during my stay on Margarita,~*but, like all coastal service of the Venezuelan national steamers, this service is liable to change in its itineraries and cannot be relied upon. There is but little commerce in Pampatar, and the town is fast falling into a decline. The population of Pampatar is about 1,500 souls. Nearby can be found extensive salt deposits belonging to the government. Asuncion, the third town of importance on the island, is losing the importance which the ruins of large buildings and houses indicate that it possessed in times gone by. It has today a population of but 3,000 souls, where in former days the population must have been far larger. Has* a Salubrious Climate.

The climate of Margarita island has been renowned for centuries, and the island in times gone by and even nowadays is a favorite health resort for sufferers from all kinds of fevers. This fact is mentioned in a number of the early histories of the island. Neither the anopheles nor the stegomyia mosquito are found on Margarita, which would explain that yellow fever patients and those suffering from malarial fevers can come to the island without endangering the health of the residents. The island is especially preferred as a recuperating re* sort by the inhabitants of Ciudad Bolivar on the Orinoco river. There are, however, but poor accommodations in the Margarita towns for transients, and the uncertain steamer connections prevent the island from becoming the national sanitarium for the sick of the Venezuelan republic.

Margarita island has an area of 444 square miles, and in reality consists of two separate mountain ranges connected by a low, sandy Isthmus, about 10 miles long and from 70 to 180 yards wide. When seen from a short distance to the northward or southward it will appear as two islands. The eastern portion of the island Is 18 miles long and about 14 miles wide. The western portion, known as Macanao, which is practically uninhabited, is about 12 miles long, east and west, and 7 miles wide. The lagoon dividing the two parts of the island, known as the “Laguna Grande,” or the “Laguna Arestigna,” is some 10 miles wide and 2 miles broad. The explanation of the lack of prosperity of Margarita island lies in the fact that the rainfall on the Island is so ex*rt’mi-ly scant as to be almost negligible in some districts. Pearling the Chief Industry. The most important industry of the island is the pearl fishing. Although lately the pearling grounds have again begun to show signs of exhaustion, due to excessive fishing by destructive methods, a large number of men are still employed in this work and the Margarita pearls rank in quality with the highest grades of pearls from .the Orient. The usual method pursued to gather the pearl mollusks is with rakes that are dragged over the'ocean bottom; the shells are then opened by hand and the pearls removed. A number of diving suits are also used in these waters for the collecting of shells from the bottom of the sea, but as the owners of the boats using rakes have to pay a far smaller license fee to the government than those using the scaphander method, and as divers familiar with the use of the diving suits command high prices, owing to the risks that they take with the usually defective outfits and the ignorance of the men who work the pumps that provide the diver with air, the raking outfit is the one in general use. The pearls are generally bought by the Turkish and Syrian dealers- residing on the island and are shipped by them to Paris, the clearing house for pearls from all parts of the world. It is strange to note that a large number of the pearling boats used in these parts are rigged with lateen sails — a rig which is not seen in the other West India islands and which was probably introduced in Margarita by the’*Syrian pearl dealers.

There is a closed season for pearling from May 15 to September 1, during which time the fishing is absolutely prohibited. This is done to allow the pearl mollusks to spawn, and does a great deal toward preserving , the fisheries. Nevertheless, due to the enormous amount of fishing that has been going on in the last 20 years on grounds that have but a limited area, it Is said that the pearling grounds are becoming more and more depleted, and that in years to come the industry will once again, as it did after the early Spanish occupation, automaticallycpme to a standstill.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

FAT FOR CHILDREN

FORMS A MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR DIET. If Milk and Salad Oils Are Fed in Any Quantities It Is Well to Avoid Other Foods That Contain Much Fat. Fat is an Important part of the food of children. This is not surprising, for It is found in considerable amounts in human milk, the natural food for babies. Butter, which consists chiefly of separated milk fat, and cream, which is rich in milk fat and also In the other nourishing substances of milk, are both wholesome. Salad oils of various kinds (olive, cottonseed, peanut and others) may be given to children in small amounts. Those who are not used to table oil must often be trained to like it. This can usually be done by introducing it very gradually into the diet. A good way to serve it is on spinach and other greens or on tender salad vegetables. There is more than an ounce of fat (at least 2% level tablespoonfuls) In a quart of whole milk. If the healthy child is given a quart of milk, has butter on its bread, and meat or an egg once a day, he gets enough fat, and that which he receives is in wholesome form. It is well, therefore, not to give such fatty foods as pastry, fried meats and vegetables, and doughnuts or rich cakes, for in these the fats are not in so good a form for children; as experience has shown. If the child is constipated, the occasional use of cream or salad oil is desirable, for fat in abundance is laxative.

Bacon or salt pork, cut very thin and carefully cooked, may be given occasionally, but thick pieces with much lean are not desirable. In preparing bacon or salt pork it is very important hot to burn the fat. To avoid this they should be cooked in one of the following ways: Put the slices on a broiler or wire frame over a pan; place the pan into a hot oven and cook long enough to remove most of the fat. Or keep a pan on purpose for cooking bacon on top of a stove and let the fat which fries out of it collect in the pan, taking care that none is burned. In time so much fat will collect that bacon can be dropped into this hot fat, and will Tie less likely to burn than if placed on a hot pan.—Farmers’ Bulletin 717, “Food for Young Children.”

To Make Spice Cake.

Spice cake which keeps well may be made as follows: Cream one cupful of sugar and one cupful of butter (or one cupful of butter and lard mixed), add one cupful of strong coffee, two lightly beaten eggs, one and one-half teaspoonfuls soda dissolved in a tablespoonful boiling water; one teaspoonful each of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and one-half of a nutmeg (grated), one-fourth teaspoonful salt, one-fourth pound raisins or currants and two and one-half cupfuls of flour sifted twice. Stir well and bake three-quarters of an hour in a moderate oven.

Candied Grapefruit.

Homemade candied grapefruit rind is delicious, and here, is the method to make it: An excellent candy can be made from grapefruit rind. Cut rind into strips one inch long and half inch wide. Soak in a brine made of one cupful of salt to two cupfuls of water for 24 hours. .Then put in water and cook until tender. Drain and cook again in a sirup of two cupfuls of sugar to one cupful of w-ater for one hour. Take out the pieces and roll in granulated sugar and lay on plates to dry.

Irish Bisque.

Bring one quart of new milk to a boil, dissolving in it one pint of granulated sugar. When this mixture is cool, add a quart of whipped cream, a teaspoonful of vanilla and freeze until It is the consistency of mush. Remove the dasher, add wine glass of sherry, and a coffeecupful of macaroons ground very fine. Color to the right shade of green with vegetable coloring matter, pack and set away To harden. This is an excellent substitute for pistachio, the green ice cream offered by caterers.

Chicken Broth.

One chicken jar fowl, one carrot, one onion, one turnip, two stalks celery, one teaspoonful salt, two tablespoonfuls flour, tw.o tablespoonfuls barley, three pints water. Cut the vegetables up, lay them at the bottom of a stewpan, on them place the joints of . the fowl, and add the water and barley; simmer slowfjj£two and one-half hours, moisten the flour with a little water, . add it and the salt to the broth, stir till the flour thickens, strain and serve.

Fine Grained Cake.

One egg, one cupful sugar, one-half cupful of butter, one and one-half cupfuls flour, one and one-half teaspoonfuls baking powder, one-half cupful milk, flavor. Bake in round tins. Put together with jelly. Frost with a tablespoonful butter, one cupful of powdered sugar, little milk and flavor.

Mock Champagne.

For the blistering August days is a drink of cider prepared so that it has all the sparkle and luster of champagne and enough of the taste to deceive. Get fresh sweet cider, boil it down half and put away in sealed bottles. Served with a carbonated water it is unexcelled.

TERRIFIC COMBAT IN CADRES WOOD

French Officer Pictures Fierce Fight for Possession of Position Near Verdun. COMMANDER LOATH TO LEAVE Brings Up Rear of His Troops in Retreat, Is Cut Off by Shells, and Never Is Seen Again. Paris. —An officer who has returned from the Verdun front gave this description of the battle for the possession of the Caures wood: “The affair of the Caures wood is one of Rhe most glorious episodes of the battle of Verdun. The chasseurs, who were charged ■with defending this part of the sector, were under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Driant. “It was 7:15 in the morning of February 20 when the —Germans began preparations for their attack. The bombardment began with unusual violence and our listening posts, according to orders, fell back on the first line, where we awaited the attack. “A storm of iron began to pass over. It was, in fact, more than a storm, it was a deluge. Our shelters, even the best constructed, were demolished. “About two o’clock the effects of the bombardment were* tremendous. There did not remain a single shelter worthy of the name. The officer next in command to Lieutenant Colonel Driant was seriously wounded and many of our chasseurs were also stricken.

Fought Throughout the Night. “About five o’clock the enemy’s artillery slacked its fire and we no longer suffered so much. The reason of this was that the Germans were about to hurl themselves on Haumont. The front ranks of the enemy were dressed in capes, somewhat resembling ours, and they wore armlets similar to those on our men. This ruse was quickly seen through and they received a w-arm welcome. However, they were able to penetrate our first line trenches and establish themselves there. Counterattacks were made by us during the whole night, and after a hot grenade fighting our positions were practically maintained. “On the twenty-second the bombardment was resumed with the greatest violence. . . ~ “Toward midday we perceived large parties of the enemy who after having advanced toward the wood of Haumont turned toward the Caures wood with the intention of taking us in the rear. All our telephonic communications had been destroyed the evening before and we were no longer able to communicate with the main body of our troops except by couriers. Many volunteered for this service, but none of them ever returned. “The German ■ attack increased in violence. The enemy, with very superior forces to ours, including an entire new brigade, swept down upon usl ! “About 3:30 p. m., the situation suddenly became critical. The ring was tightening itself around us. The Germans had even brought up a big gun, which was bombarding the very heart of our position. It was then that 1 was called to the post of Lieutenant Colonel Drlant. Dies Rather Than Be Taken. . “Colonel Driant was stationed in the front line, which he had not left since the opening of the attack. He was leaning on his gun, surrounded by Commandant Renouard, Captain V incent and Captain Hamel. Energetically, but calmly, he said to me: “ Tn a few more moments it w-ill be necessary to die or to be taken prisoner.’ He waited a little while and added: *L would prefer to die.’ The tears flowed down his cheeks and we all wept The most hardened of our chasseurs present at this scene were overwhelmed by eipotlon. “Commandant Renouard assured himself that there was nothing more in the shelter which could be of any advantage to the enemy. All our archives and our plans had been burned on the twenty-first and the order to retreat was given. “Captain Renouard said: ‘At least let us try to save some of these brave fellows.* “Our retreat, began protected on the

TROOPS READY TO EMBARK ON A TRAIN

flank by a detachment of chasseurs. The heads of the column on leaving the wood were welcomed by a crossfire from the enemy’s mitrailleuses. It was of no use to attempt a reply, and the fragments of the section which were able to escape from that zone rallied at Haumont on the first line of our second position. “Colonel Driant had wished to set out among the last. He was last seen by a chasseur, who was cut off with him by the same storm of shells. After the bombardment had temporarily slackened Colonel Driant made the chasseur leave first, crying to him, ‘Good-by and good luck.’ He remained until he was certain that none of his men were left in the wood, and has never’■been seen since.”

CANDY FOR YOUNG THIEVES

Infants Ran Off With Horse and Buggy and Were Treated When Arrested. Richmond, Ind. —Mrs. E. R. Smith reported to police headquarters that her horse and buggy had been stolen from North Seventh street, where she had left the outfit when on a shopping tour. Two hours later the police received a telephone call from the town marshal at Boston, six miles south of Richmond, who Informed the police that he had a “couple of horse thieves” in custody and believed the stolen vehicle which they had in their possession might have been taken at Richmond. The police sent two armed men in an automobile to Boston to get the “thieves.” Chief Goodwin and other officers were nearly all night awaiting the return of the men and the “desperate characters.” When they arrived the “horse thieves” were found to be Jesse Smelser, age five, and Jack Smelser, age three. The tots had climbed into the buggy after unhitching the horse and, without point of destination in view, Jesse, the older, had driven straight south until Boston was reached, where the marshal stopped them. Chief Goodwin said the prisoners were too small to be even scolded, so, Instead, he bought them each a bag of candy and turned them over to their parents, who were vainly searching for them.

Graduate’s Gifts Mostly Socks.

Kenton, O. —Floyd Lyman, a member of the graduating class at Kenton, is thinking of starting a haberdashery. He received 50 pairs of socks as graduation presents. __ __

HEIR TO PORTUGAL THRONE

Duchess de Vixen, formerly Anita Stewart, heir to the throne of Portugal, is the daughter of Rhinelander Stewart of New York.

MEXICAN CAPTIVE BEGS TO BE SHOT

Led Astray by Visions of Loot to Be Had in Border Stores. BOY TELLS A PITIFUL TALE « American Cavalry Sergeant Describes Conflict Between Pity and. Duty in Which Duty Won—Raised to Hate Gringo. Marathon, Tex.—Serg. I. Sturmwald, Troop A, Fourteenth cavalry, who guarded Lieut. Col. Alvarez and Manuel Torres, Mexican prisoners In the Boquillas raid, told a story of a conflict between pity and duty in which duty won. He said: “It was my business to watch the prisoners on the long ride to Marathon from the Rio Grande. For the minute it was all the business I had and they were surely watched. Our first camp was at McKinney Springs. There we gave the Mexicans steak and onions and coffee —just what our men had. “They couldn’t seem to realize it. Alvarez refused to eat at first, but he ordered Torres to do so. The lieutenant colonel, It seemed, feared the food was poisoned and wanted to have someone else try it. Raised to Hate Gringo.

“Torres is little more than a boy. When we took the road again he told me his story. His father, he said, was a poor farmer in the Sacramento district. They had - little to eat and when, six months ago, Alvarez at the head of fifty or more bandits told him there were food and new clothes to be had in abundance in gringo stores along the border, he followed. He had been raised, he said, to hate the gringo, and rather liked the idea. “He claimed he had not been In the actual raid on the Deemers store but he admitted getting his clothes from some of the raiders who had. “He told how the band broke into pairs after an American pursuit became a certainty. He had hidden in the desert for three nights until his tongue was swollen and black and he thought he must die of thirst. It was then that he went to the water hole; though the hole was covered by Amer-* lean cavalrymen, and begged a drink. “He expected, he said, to be shot, but he wanted to drink first. Then, as he went on, he begged me to intercede for him. He showed me a bit of handkerchief, that was his mother’s. He showed me a bit of ribbon that his senorita had given him as token of love and luck. Pleads to Be Shot. “And he told me finally if I would get him a lawyer he would be grateful, and, once free, would come and work for me or do anything I asked, as long as he had breath. “I pitied him, way down deep, but I could not show my pity. I looked at the officer who had led the boy and thought evil things. I remembered how the raiding murderers had killed a tiny child, and how they had dared to come on American soil. “I told Torres to be still, that I could do nothing. Then he‘pleaded to be shot. It would be much more honorable, he said, than to be hanged, as he had heard It was the. custom In gringo land. “Again I told him so be still.

“We drove at night, mostly, to avoid the heat and all through the night Torres would ask me in his soft, pathetic Spanish for a quick end. “You can’t appreciate the effect of It all —moonlight, and their chains, and the despair*' of the boy who had been led astray. But they’re here now and turned over to the sheriff. I’m through, and I’ve lived up to the oath I took when I enlisted. But, I’m glad Tm through and that oath remains unbroken. My hope is I won’t have another detail like it.”

Kills Wolves With Handsaw.

Aitken, Minn.—With a handsaw as his only weapon, Byron Dolan, who lives on a farm two miles from Aitken, drove a wolf from its nest in a field near his home, killed three cubs and took one alive, which he will attempt to tame. - ~