by Manolo Mario
Two porters had a hand truck with the family’s belongings back where the storage car loaded. Galo walked up to them and gave them each a tip. “Will you standby while I look for local help to take the luggage?”
The porters agreed, but asked that he hurry since the train would be departing in a few minutes. Galo turned to find a clearing in the station and he looked around. To his right, he noticed two young black men actively discussing some story. They were each gesturing back and forth. Galo walked up to them. “Muchachos, would you be so kind as to indicate to me who I can hire to get my family’s belongings to our place in town?”
They ended their discussion and the bigger one took the lead. “Why we could do the job, Señor.”
Galo hesitated and gave them a look over. He took out a cigarette and offered them a smoke, which they gladly accepted. “What are your names?”
The bigger one spoke first blowing smoke out, “My name is Joaquin Cruz, but I am called Quino.”
“And I am Proscopio, but I go by Mulo.” The other man snapped.
“I am Galo Bartolo. What work do you men do?”
Quino was as dark as midnight with a wide nose framed by two bulging yellow eyes. He stood tall and wide at the shoulders and remained so through his mid-section. The hands on the man were massive and calloused. “I do whatever I can to make sure I can eat. Around here it’s something to do with cows or horses. Today, there is nothing to do.”
Mulo28 agreed with a nod and a half grunt before speaking. “The same thing for me.” Lighter than Quino with softer facial features, he stood taller and carried even more muscle. Galo understood his most appropriate nickname from the picture of the man. They were strong and could certainly handle the luggage and a lot more. Galo took another long drag and looked off to the early afternoon sun.
“If you men do a good job, I will pay you well; and perhaps there are other jobs I may need you for.”
Both men smiled broadly and assured Galo that whatever he needed they would be of service. Galo pointed and walked them back to the porters who were edgy, as the train whistle blew for the last call. Quino and Mulo took the hand truck from the porter and went to procure a horse-drawn cart.
Rona, Frank, still holding the baby, and the girls were standing by the buggy when Galo walked up. He told them what he did with the luggage and explained that they needed to wait a bit longer before heading out. The train blew a long whistle and began moving out of the station to continue its voyage to Santiago in the east. It took a few minutes longer than desired, but Quino and Mulo appeared from around the corner of the station with a horse pulling the cart contain all of the family’s belongings. Galo looked up and waved them over.
“Great, you made it. My brother will lead the way. I’d like for you to follow the cart.” Quino nodded that he would.
“Brother, is this the ride you have for me?”
Galo pointed to a couple of horses tied nearby. Quino jumped off the cart and helped Rona into the buggy along with the girls. Frank handed over Galito and ambled towards the horses, waving Galo to follow with him.
“This is the finest mount I found and it’s my welcome gift to you.”
The quarter horse stood fifteen hands and shone black with a white strip down the front of its face. At first Galo thought his brother played a joke on him; after all, how could he climb onto the beast. Then he noticed the animal’s muscular definition, making him quite a specimen. Galo walked to its head and ran his hands down the horse’s nose, slowly underneath on the neck, and finally stroked the mane. Quino, watched from the cart. “That’s a fine horse!”
Galo looked back and smiled at Frank. “What do you call him?”
“He’s yours. Call him what you’d like. I made sure he was broken and docile so he wouldn’t throw your ass!” Frank chuckled.
Feeling the smile behind him, Galo didn’t want to have his brother enjoy his quandary of how he would mount. So he turned, “Won’t you give me a leg up?”
Galo lifted his leg onto Frank’s hand and vaulted onto the horse. The animal moved a little, but the saddle felt tight. Frank walked to the front and tossed the reins to him. Galo tipped his hat in thanks and smiled broadly at his family who were watching from the buggy. Frank circled and mounted his smaller and plain brown horse.
With his hat back on and despite the smaller horse, Frank towered over his brother. He made some clicking noise and the horse obeyed. Galo looked back to see the hired driver maneuver the buggy. Quino and Mulo trailed with the loaded cart. The caravan moved slowly forward. Frank tipped his hat to one of the railroad officials who waved back, as they left the station grounds.
Lifting his arm high in the air, Frank signaled for everyone to stop in order to let the trolley that ran along Van Horne pass by. The trolley would make the turn on Republica. He also waved at the conductor of the crowded trolley and received a tip of the hat in return. Galo brought his horse up alongside Frank’s and looked at the trolley and the electric wiring overhead. He thought to himself, ‘I guess this isn’t as much of the country as I had thought.’
The station was a handsome building denoting the railroad company name chiseled into the façade. The open windows and doors let the breezes flow as well as the movement of passengers. The trolley stop, directly at the curb of the station, offered a great service to the people of the city. The building across the street featured a series of businesses and shops including a cafe called Ofelia.
After edging his horse and waving everyone on, Frank turned to Galo and quietly inquired. “Your telegram had me worried. There seemed to be some trouble? I thought you were doing well with the slaughterhouse in La Habana.”
Galo lit up another cigarette, offered Frank one, and took a drag. He whispered as best he could. “There was some trouble, but there isn’t any more. Elio and I spoke and we agreed it was time to explore ideas … my ideas. I think we can make good money here. If we can work it right, we can make more money than we ever thought existed.”
Frank perked up and sat a little straighter before continuing. “I know that you are smart Galo, but what could possibly make more money than we have ever though of?”
“What other business would there be where we have any understanding?”
“Are you talking about a slaughterhouse here in Camagüey? Well, there already is a slaughterhouse and I don’t think there is enough of a market for two.” Frank’s wrinkled forehead confirmed to Galo that he had doubts.
“Actually, Frank, I am thinking of live cattle.”
“Cattle? Did you steal money or something? We don’t own land for cattle. You need land to raise cattle. By the time you get some land, it may not be suitable. This is very difficult. You just can’t start a cattle business.” Frank swung his arm from one side to another to express his opinion.
“You are right. It is difficult, but not impossible. I’ll deal with one thing at a time, Frank. Like I said, if we could work this right. For now, let’s get settled in. Oh, you’ll be able to get someone to get us some food? I’m sure the girls are going to complain soon.”
* * *
28 Spanish for ‘mule’
Chapter 36
Off Van Horne, the caravan turned right on Avellaneda and worked its way south to the eventual apartment at La Libertad29 in La Caridad30. Since they were following a great portion of the trolley rails, they could have traveled on it, but horses were still the preferred mode for the better sort of people in this city. Both Frank and Galo looked the part leading the buggy and carts. At the turn, they saw the first sight of a tinajon31 with a young boy lapping water onto his face and drinking it down. Several people on horseback and in buggies moved as well. Traveling down the street was not easy. The streets were narrow and never straight. The cobblestones gave a rhythm to the buggy and cart alongside the others that passed by. It seemed like a maze where every time three streets met, a plaza sprang up. There were churches and more churches. The abundance would eventually prompt Galo to observe, ‘The
re must be many sinners in this town for so many churches to be standing!’
This city originally was founded on the north coast as Santa Maria de Puerto Principe. After several incursions from English pirates, French corsairs, and Dutch raiders, the Spaniards moved the city inland in 1528. It became the capital. It took one incursion inland from one of these pirates for the Spaniards to rebuild the city into a series of narrow streets with random non-alignments. They figured any future raider would be trapped within the city without a clear path of exit. Anyone working his way through the city would immediately acknowledge that the Spaniards’ goal had succeeded.
Along the ride, Galo noticed the courtesy and civility of the people in greeting each other and bidding their good days. Tipping the hat was common and at one point, he broke out laughing as Frank kept removing and replacing his hat at the rhythm of his horse’s gait. On one occasion it seemed Frank held his hat off a little longer at the sight of a fairly attractive lady. Galo looked back to confirm that Rona in the trailing buggy noticed it. ‘She’ll surely remember that and Frank won’t hear the end of it.’ There was energy to the city and it was growing.
One also could not but admire the fine horses being ridden. There was a sense of pride to have a beautiful mount and to know how to ride the animal. The horses were well kept and brushed. Of course, along with the horses came the collateral manure and the scent it produced. It quickly became clear why most men needed boots and there was job security for the scoopers.
Most of the horses were long descendants of the ones Columbus, Velazquez, and other conquistadors brought to Cuba nearly four hundred years before, each with its unique use, whether work or play. These breeds began to widen with the American army in 1898 and continued as cattlemen gained wealth and imported well-bred horses. In all cases, the horses had to adapt to the heat, humidity, insects, and long days of work.
Somewhere around the next turn Frank signaled to stop, as a rider coming the opposite way lifted a handless left arm in greeting. He barked out at the rider. “Mocho32, how’s it going? I haven’t seen you for some time. Where have you been hiding?”
Mocho’s pointed with his stub arm to the bulging saddlebags behind him. “I am doing well, Frank. Came into town to get some goods for the wife.”
“Mocho, I want you to meet my brother Galo. He has come into town from La Habana and is planning to live here.”
He pulled the reins on his horse to move over to Galo’s horse. Effortlessly, he quickly wrapped his reins around the stub and leaned over to offer his right hand to Galo. Galo took his hand and shook it. He offered pleasantries in respect to his wife and family in the buggy.
“I don’t know why you would want to leave a fine city like La Habana to come to this land of guajiros. If someone is not a snob in this town be careful because they cannot be trusted.”
From the buggy, Cari stood to look closely at the stranger and his wave of a handless arm. “Mama, why does that man not have a hand?”
As expected, Rona slapped at Cari’s pointing hand and shushed her. The innocent question was asked loud enough for everyone to hear. Frank did not hesitate to answer.
“Kids, all you need to know is that you should never steal anything!”
The girls all gasped and looked at one another with an alarmed look. All the men broke out in laughter. Mocho moved a little closer to the buggy. “Listen to your uncle and never steal anything!” He looked beyond the buggy at Quino and Mulo on the cart. “You especially have to watch out for those two black horse thieves driving your cart. Make sure you check their pockets before they go away, too!”
Quino and Mulo laughed and Quino didn’t hold back. “Mocho, you forgot about the women!”
Mocho walked his horse back to the cart and in a voice that the two could hear said, “I didn’t forget. It’s because I am aware you like men! But the little kids shouldn’t hear that.” They all broke out in laughter and shook hands. Mocho turned back toward Galo.
“You seem to have a nice family and your brother is one of the few good guys left, so you need to be careful.” Frank laughed out loud and said they had to get going; to which Mocho agreed, tipped his hat, and went off on his way.
Through the maze of streets, there were minor turns in several directions confusing any newcomer. The street opened onto a square with a statue honoring Ignacio Agramonte, a local patriot who fought and died bravely against Spain. There were royal palms and sabal palms, a rose garden, and several bushes with flowering amapolas33. The plaza bustled with activity. There were vendors. There were children playing. There were readers. Beyond the park stood the cathedral, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria,34 and all could hear its bells tolling three in the afternoon.
The sights captured the girls’ attention and they begged for the buggy to stop so they could get out and join the kids, or so Rona thought. She yelled ahead to Frank and Galo then asked the driver to stop. As they stopped and the door to the buggy swung open, the girls ran straight to the candy vendor for a pirulí35. Frank and Galo doubled back a bit and waited for the girls to get their treat. They spent a whole four cents.
After reloading the buggy, Cari worked on sharing her candy with her little brother. The group continued down Independencia. They eventually came to a crossroads where three streets came together, made a left turn, and a right to cross a bridge over the river that meandered through the city. The river was no more than a still stream this time of year, but the embankment showed steep and green. During the rainy season, the water ran differently. There were acres of verdant areas towards their left.
Across the bridge, they approached another crossroad with a traffic officer directing. They waited along with the other riders and buggies as the crossing traffic along the main highway passed in both directions. The wait was a little longer as the trolley took its turn to move ahead. At the officer’s signal, they continued onto the Avenue de la Libertad.
Immediately to their right, Frank pointed to the house of the Ignacio Agramonte family. Directly across from it, the post office looked busy. Next to that stood the bakery, and they saw a man exit the store with a large box in his arms. They came to the next cross street and found a clothing store on their right, La Sultana, followed by a bodega. Back to their left, the tannery emitted a scent of treated fresh leather that was quickly overpowered by the adjacent coffee roaster.
“Galo, at this next corner is where you will find hands to hire if you need them. It’s the association of peons.” A group of men dressed in mostly denim and various sizes of straw hats were coming and going. They continued down the avenue until reaching a low-rise building with arcs reaching over the sidewalk creating a portico.
Frank and Galo dismounted and Frank pointed to the doorway and the steps leading to the apartment. Galo signaled for Rona to get out of the buggy with the girls and the boy and wait in the portico covering this portion of the sidewalk. Frank led the way upstairs and used the key to open the door. The apartment was airy and opened to a large living room. The living room was furnished with a sofa and a couple of chairs and a small table. A painting of The Sacred Heart adorned the main wall. A fern hung from a corner. The layout was simple and common. To the right, a hallway led to three rooms and a bathroom with a flushing toilet at the end. To the left was a dining area, the kitchen, and a storage room. Toward the immediate left of the entrance and off the living room was an opening with a sliding wrought iron gate that led to a covered balcony. The balcony sat above the portico.
Galo stepped out onto the balcony and called down for Rona, who seemed to be lost as to where she heard the calling. Quino from his cart signaled her to step out and look up, which she did.
“It will do. Go ahead and come on up!”
“We will in a minute,” she hollered back.
“Quino, Mulo, bring the luggage upstairs!”
Galo stepped back inside and looked over the place once more. “Thank you, Frank. This apartment will do for our needs right now. It will get small f
airly quickly, no doubt, but, I think Rona and the girls will find plenty to do. I saw a lot of kids at the plaza and I think I noticed another park not too far.”
“Yes, Galo. They will like it here. The Catholic school is right down the street. You’ll find all kinds of people here, but it may be a little difficult to be part of the social clubs. Those people tend to be … special. They like their names to resonate with meaning. I don’t think Rona will give one damn about it.”
“Don’t worry, she won’t, but more importantly, I don’t give a shit.”
Quino and Mulo came through the door carrying a large trunk and Galo pointed for them to go through the right side to the last room. He turned back to Frank and shrugged wondering why Rona had not come upstairs. He looked back out through the balcony and heard female laughter above the clanging bell of the trolley passing. He turned and took the stairs back down after Quino and Mulo.
On the sidewalk, there appeared to be a women’s club meeting. Rona talked to a group of young ladies in their early twenties. Another two girls of eighteen and sixteen were holding Galito and toying with him to get him to laugh. Still another two girls of thirteen and twelve were talking about school with Iris and Mandy. The youngest girl, a tiny and pretty creature who introduced herself as Nadia, chatted animatedly with Cari noting they were the same age. They compared dresses and found out about where each other was from. Cari towered over the little one.
Galo stepped out the door onto this crowd of women talking to each other. He stood there in amazement as to the interaction. Frank followed out the door and walked over to Rona with hat in hand. He offered his good day to Catalina, the eldest of the girls, who soon understood Frank to be Rona’s brother-in-law and that they were moving in. She explained to Rona that the other girls were her younger sisters and that unfortunately they were orphaned a few years back. She was particularly saddened for the youngest one who would never know her parents, but said they would do their best for her. Galo joined to hear the conversation, but soon he found himself politely moving them off to a side so that Quino and Mulo could get the belongings into the apartment. The conversations and introductions continued for a time and eventually Rona and the girls walked up the stairs to their new home.