The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-03-19
COurrtimg i'm spain.

Should you have occasion after nightfall, to
traverse the dimly lighted streets. you will
not 60 far without brushing past figure muf-
fled in an ample cloak, and with the solnbrere
slouched over the eyes, leaning against the
iron bars. Asyou pass, your ears inform you
that il is conversns in low voice with some
one within, whom the darkness shrouds from
observation. In all probability you will take
no further note of the whispering pair; but il
you be more cautious than wise, and bestow on
them more than passing look, another be-
cloacked figure will probably step out from
some corner and politely request you to refrain
from interfering with other peoples business.
IF this hint be not sufficient, he will prepare
to enforce it by other means, and, by display
ing his navajo, threaten to appeal to arms
He is engaged in one of the sacred duties of
Spanish Friendship. To guard from danger
or discoyery-or as it is termed, "guarder los
espaldas," ''to guard the back" of a friend
who may be playing the lover--is an Office to
be undertaken only by a tried comrade, whose
devotion and courage may De proof against the
rude trials to which such q position subjects
him. If the fair one be noted for her attrac-
tions, then there are rivals to be encountered,
whose jealous passions, If aroused by witness
ing another thus engaged, nothing would so
soon appease as thrust of knife, given as
may be supposed, without much regard to the
rules Of fair play. Under these circumstances,
the second is summoned to stand, like the
knight Of old. ready to do battle against all
corners, should they approach with hostile in
tentions. Ineed not add that these nocturnal
meetings are frequent occasion to brawls.
and that lives are sometimes lost, and usually
dangerous wounds are given and received when
the knife is brought into play.
This custom, though more prevalent among
the lower classes, is not entirely banished
from the upper ranks Of society. In truth, the
mystery and romance attending it have too
many charms for Spanish lovers of every de-
gree, ever to permit it to become the exclusive
usage Of any one rank in fe. II is far more
congenial to his temperament to throw a vel,
Of secresy over his attachment, which, NOT un-
frequently from the first, wears certain air
of romance. On the Alameda he encounters
soA'S ~"sn yeu ocooty, "HoSc SidDCc UTeS all
the susceptible nature of his southern bosom.
To follow her footsteps when the gay throng
disperses--,o finger in the narrow street where
her home is-and by one Of those mute bu. ex-
pressiye signs known in southern climes, to
testify his passion to her as she sits at the bal
cony that commands a full view of the moving
world in the street--or TO convey message by
some Mercury familiar with such errands--are
the usual steps that precede an interview
This, however, let it not be imagined, lis to be
sought amidst the shady alleys Of the Alameda
No; the far ones of Spain are too jealousy
guarded by mammas and duennas, to know
much Of solitude, far less to enjoy them with
acompanion. But when gates are barred, and
the household wrapped in sleep. it is then tn al
the Spanish maiden rises to keep her trust with
her lover.-Murray's Cities aud Wilds of IN
dUtp<tds u