Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-09-07
An Extraordinary Scene.

witnessed this same night most singular GUS
tom among the native South Americans, which
made deep impression upon me. On returning
home rather late, after accompanying some cap
tains of my acquaintance to the landing where
their boat was waiting for them, passed low
rooted house, in whose well-llghted room music
and dancing were going on. tried to geta look
through the curtained window but did not succeed
and was just passing on when the door opened.
and two men came out. A third one was just go.
ing to shut the door again when ne saw me, and
addressing me asked me in the most friendly way
to come in and be welcome. Always ready to see
what I could wherever got chance, followed
his kind invitation, and found myself the next
minute in perfect flood of light, but in very
small room. crowded with people. Taking in the
whole at the first glance, the room seemed rather
poorly furnished, with white-washed walls, only
here and there ornamented with small and colour
ed pictures of saints and martyrs Timetables and
chairs were made of pine wood-the laIler WIN
cane, bottoms and one corner of the r9onl' ana
great part of the whole space, in fact,w was taheh
up by large bed covered with flowered curtains
instead of musquito net but the curtains thrown
back at present to offer room for those guests VINO
would not dance themselves. Aqua ardiente and
womn, the dancers excepted smoked their cigarl-
los. But the most remarkable thing In the room
seemed to me large kind of scatfold, which oc-
cupied the other corner opposite the bed, and con-
sisting of light frame work, ornamented all over
with artificial flowers, little pictures of saints land
quantity of small, lighted wax candles. On the
top of it, most extraordinary well-made wax tlg-
ure of little child was seated on low wooden
chair. dressed in snow white lady frock-the
eyes were closed-the pale cheeks tinged by a-soft
rosy hue, and the whole figure perfectly strewn
with flowers. 1t might have been about seven
feet high, and the figure was so deceptive, that
when drew near at first, thought it a real
child, while young woman below it, pale, and
with tears in her eyes might very well have been
the mother. But that was most certainly mis-
take; for at this moment one of the men stepped
up to her invited her to the dance, ,and few min
utes afterward she was one of the merriest In the
crowd. But it must really be child-no sculp
tor could have formed that little face so exquisite
ly; and now one light went out close to the little
head, and the cheek lost its rosy hue. My neigh
bors at last remarked the attention with which |
looked upon the figure or child whichever it was;
and the nearest one now informed me, as far as ]
could understand him. that the little thing up
there was the child of the woman with the pale
face who was dancing then so merrily the whole
festiviy taking place, in fact, only on account OF
that little angel. shook my head doubtfully ,and
my neighbor,to convince me, took my arm and led
me to the frame, where had to step upon the
chair and nearest table, and touch the cheek and
hand of the child. 1t was corpse; and the moth
er. seeing had doubted it, but was now convinc-
ed, came up to me, and smilingly told me that 1t
had been her child, and was now little angel in
heaven. The guitars and cacaes commenced
wildly again, and she had to return to the dance
left the house as in dream, but afterwards
heard the explanation of this ceremony. If a lit
tie child believe up to four years of age, dies in
Chill. it is thought to go straight to heaven and
become little angel; the mother being prouder OF
that-before the eyes of the world, at least-than
if she had reared her child to happy man or wo-
manhood. The little corpse is exhibited then, as
| had seen it and they often continue dancing and
singing around it till it displays signs of putretac
ton. But the mother, whatever the feelings o.
her heart may be, must laugh and sing and dance
she dare not give way to any selfish wishes for
not the happiness of her child secured! Poo
mother !-GerstGcker Vapdge round the Vortd
~. MoCou,N-Tbis rallant fellow lost his