National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-15

brilllance emitted by tallow dip, held Dy
tin stick, which served as holder and reflector,
while rude chandeliers were suspended from !
the ceilings, containing more burning dips. |
aud dips do run to the imminent peril OF |
broadcloth clothes, a. we found out to our |
cost. At one end OF the hall were seated /
three followers OF Euterpe, In ono OF whom |
doomed up the figure OF our friend tho g,nd;
us TO his side and introduced US to the hostess
and some blushlng damsels, whercupon We
requested tho pleasure Of their hands Tor the
next dance. We made known our wishes BY
signs and gestures that were readily compre-
hended, and graceful compliance was ac-
acquainted with tho figures, but under the
able tuition Of our partners were soon able 10
thread our way, pro D,odd, through the long
row Of couples. We were at loss for words
to express the admiration we felt for the
charming ladies who graced the room, but let
our eyes speak through their lashcs, straight
from our hearts, the language more potent
than warmest words.
Very few Of the people Of that city indulge
In other than the native dances, amongst
which the "Coonah" Is tho favorite. The
dancer: form . long line Of couples facing
stand at the head, and tho next couple face
the first, but each gentleman has lady vis
a els; so on down the line. The music
strikes up, and the gentlemen balance TO
each others partners, cross over and balance
TO their own partners, then back again and
their partners, with whom they waltz around,
Two or three times the space at command,
and bring up In the place next down the line
from the starting point, or keep on repeating
until oil regain tho places occupied re-
spcctively when the same commenced, and
then that dance Is finished. IL often hap
pens that
VOICES ACCOMPANY TIN INSTRUMENTS,
and the songs are generally In praise Of some
Of the people present-the hostess or the
| guests. We came In for our share, and were
| quite elated, unwittlDgly, at the happy coun-
| tenances that were beaming upon us In
honor of the culogles that were being so Law
ishly bestowed on Us. At any rate, whether
we deserved the praise or not, one thing Is
dancing parties we have attended In other
parts OF the world, following the much-to-be-
admired custom Of this place, after each
dance we were served with refreshments &C.
cordlng to the taste Of the parties. noticed
that the ladies were very sparing In the use
| Of the wines and stronger liquors, but were
partial to the dulces or sweetmeats. The cos
| tune Of the ladies was very simple, being
| composed Of numerous endguds or petticoats,
| Gas we were informed an overskirt Of some
1ner fabric, and bodice Of white linon, fitted
nets, but Instead, the reboid, which Is q
scarf about four yards long and one yard
| wide, In quality 10 suit the purses Of the
owners. Some Of these re6ords arc made Of
silk, skillfully woven BY hand, and are OBJ.
tanned ct high price from the cities OF old
Mexico.
The fair sex wear these rebozas after many
fashions, but Invariably with surprising
grace which adds charm to their move
I ments while tripping the light fantastic toe.
I Like most Of the races descended from the
Spaniards, these people rejoice In the posses
sion Of sparkling black eyes
Then complete the capture begun so well;
Now teemlng over with softest smiles,
o. nsshlng At their rivals wiles,
Till man, bewildered, watts his sighs,
And renders up himself prize.
With tears drawn out at PHYS will
AZ nasfor,unes tale I've seen them NIL.
with truth and charity beamlng over,
How can their owners lack lover
We staid long enough at the viale to be-
| come du fat In the manner of dancing, but
about o. IN. we were becoming specifically
Inclined; what with the eIercisc, the libations
and the fumes Of the tobacco Pervading the
room, Che ladies all smoked cigarritos,) so
bidding adisu to our kind hostess and fair en-
tertainers we sought our hotel In Difference
to the customs Of the country, which did not
permit gentlemen to escort o lady to her
home, unless she be his mother, sister or
wife, we had to deprive ourselves Of that
I
and our dreams were haunted by visions OF
the pretty senoritas who had SO contributed
| to our pleasures.
We had no sooner gained our hotel than
confusion COMPOUNDED seemed to have broken
loose. Report after report Of discharged
pistols were heard. and then came the
CRY OF "MR. lis SHOT"
Upon inquiry we learned that some one had
been caught at taking unwarrantable llber-
l al .xxttk fha narda h.r nm hta
had taken the liberty Of sending soul before
its Maker without even moments warning
The gaming was broken up for the night
aud the gamesters gathered 10 knots to dis
cuss the merits and dement's Of the case A
horse was heard to gallop through the streets,
and upon his back few the murderer from
the ayenging hands Of the friends Of his VIC
tim, to ride only few miles and be out Of
the Jurisdiction Of the authorities, to wander
with only his conscience to upbraid him.
The excitement was intense, but as lockers
on and having nothing In common with such
characters we soon sought our beds and
courted slumber. Morning came apace and
with 1t the boy with our coffee, after which
we INDUCED In some fruit and took O walk
about town until breakfast was ready. After
doing justice to that meal we seated ourselves
in front Of the Fonda to see the sights, when,
10, and behold, our friend, the guia, again
passed before us, accompanied by fiddler,
leading q procession. We followed in Its
, wake and found that the corpse Of the child
we had seen the night previous was being
carried to It's last resting place, elevated on q
stretcher perched on the shoulders Of four
mcp. It had OH the same dress and was
covered over with flowers, aud was followed
by large number Of people. The musicians
played lively tunes; the people prayed their
ayes, until finally the pantheon or grave
yard, always situated near o church, was
reached aud the body was placed Ia the
grave, covered over with serape or blanket,
and after the burial service tho earth was
placed over IL and the people returned "a
their homes ready for tho next excitement
We went back to the Fonda and prepared Il
continue our journey. CRUsoE.