Vasco, Our Little Panama Cousin

he two latter there is little to be said. Like many of the boys of Panama, he had no occupation-not even going to school-and no part

Colombian government there had been no public schools. There had been a few private schools un

year after the Panama Republic declared its independence, there were more than three thous

ugh it does not follow that it was

d the little baby brother Carlos. The parents loved their children as fathers a

was evidence of Jamaica negro blood in their features. Perhaps this accounted for Vasco's aversion to hard labour, tho

of food, and for clothing all he required was a pair of trousers and a shirt, both made of c

own age. Often he went to the water-front and watched the loading and unloading of vessels. He specially li

ans "abounding in fish." Years ago many whales were caught off t

ET IN

e occasion Vasco had gone on a short fishing trip in one of the larger boats with the father of a

ed a stout rope. No sooner was the baited hook cast overboard than the shark made a rush for it and swallowed it whole. When he found he was caug

him on board the boat, but not without a fierce struggle. So

the vendors of vegetables, fruits, and provisions occupied the narr

-some on foot, some in carriages, some mounted on donkeys, and occasionally a military officer on horseback. When one of the latter came

ys, were always an object of interest to Vasco. He felt that it would be a

Spain. Naturally the place is an object of much reverence to the natives. Near by is the Bishop's Palace, an imposing structure where much important Panama history has been made. At the present

k with him his sister Inez, and sometimes his mother, with little Carlos, would accompany them. This was always a jo