The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-08-28

oSAoAs " 0li3 Joo :,
difference between such farce and
a genuine life-and-death contest"
While the ladies withdrew to
prepare for the street, I discussed
with Don Eusebio the latest acts OF
the Cortes. My host, like all Span
iards, took a lively interest in poll
tics. He defended the course the
government contemplated to ward
the Internationals with great
warmth, and declared that the prin-
ciples advocated by the deputy
Salmeron were the vilest nonsense
that had fallen from tbe lips of any
Spaniard since they had gotten rid
| of Queen Isabella.
He was in the midst of his har-
angue when the door at which the
ladies had retired re-opened. The
picture that presented itself sur
prised as much as it pleased me.
Of Donna Manuela's appearance l
will say nothing, as she, being well
nigh forty, like nearly all the wo-
men of Southern Europe Of her age,
had lost whatever she may have
possessed in her youth of the pic
turesque. But Inez and Estefania
looked. as though they had been
touched by a magic wand, that had
lent them a hundred additional
charms. Their heads and shoulders
were enveloped in black silk, lace
trimmed mantillas, over which were
thrown open wells of the same color:
In their delicate hands they held
the inevitable fan-the dangerous
weapon of every genuine Spanish
belle, without which she feels as
widowed and orphaned as a cadet
without his sword. And with what
bewitching grace they WELD it!
Every word, every movement re-
ceived an additional meaning from
the skillful use they make of the
uentaNe. Inez, the elder and gen.
tier, was not so throughly mistress
| of this language of signs as he'
sister; and yet, had Estefania beer
absent, I should have thought hel
gestures were as pregnant with sig
nifcance, and as graceful, as il
would be possible to make them.
In Spain the mantilla is still 9
distinguishing characteristic of the
national dress. In Rome one seek;
in vain after the remains Of former
modes peculiar to the Peninsula
The toilets of the ladies who, every
afternoon, visit the heights of Monte
Pincio, differ but very slightly from
the costume of the elegant ladies
of Paris. In Spain, on the con
trary, all the women, from seam
stress to princess, wear the mantilla
Bonnets and hats, in spite of the
endeavors of the tradesmen, arc
rarely seen. ALI efforts to make
them fashionable have, thus far
failed.
We took a coach and drove
across the Puerta del Sol, the prin
cipal square of the Spanish capital
to the arena before the Alcala Gate
Right and left surged an indescrib
able mass of amusement seekers
A bright, dark-blue sky lent to the
variegated, noisy scene character
peculiarly Southern. On bright
days the atmosphere about Madrit
is remarkably clear and transparent
The form and color Of objects may
be distinguished at great distances
Don Eusebio led the way through
the eager crowd to one of the more
eligible boxes. Estcfania and hel
father took the front and less com
Portable seats-she to be the better
seen, he from courtesy-while Don
ma Manuela, Inez and I formed tho
reserve.
The eorrida began. The screer
opened, and discovered the frs
victim. The bull, apparently {
good-natured fellow, looked abou
with all air of surprise, shaking his
head as though he did not under
stand what was demanded of him
The spectators set up deafenins
cry, but the animal treated it will
silent tlistain.
'He's cowardly wight !" sale
Estefania, throwing back her vel
and glancing at me.
"Poor fellow! he is not pleased
with the prospect" replied. "N(
wonder. I should not like to be il
his place %
Estefania laughed.
"You will see," said she, "tha
he will not keep his temper long
And, indeed, the chulos now be
gan a series of offensive demonstra
tions we'll calculated to excite th'
indignation of any animal not Who'll
lily lost to all sense Of self-respect
The scene reminded me of a lot O
school boys intent Oh teasing thei
master. When they had finall,,
succeeded in getting the poor ami
NAL furious, one of the picaxlore
: sprang forward and gave him {
thrust in the shoulder, which Este
|; fania assured me, clapping. he
hands, was a masterpiece of grace
This was more than his bullshi,
would tamely submit to. He as
sumed the offensive, and in trio,
he buried his horns to the roots il
the sorry steed of his antaponist