Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-03
=. W nj mORhs
Publisher and proprieto
LOyE.MAKING IN CUBA.

lam in love. The object of my af-
fection is, need scarcely explain, the
fair Cachita, who lives in the heart OF
sunny Santiago. She has the blacklist
of bright eyes, a profusion Of dark,
frizzled hair, with eyebrows and lashes
to match. 1t is universally admitted
that the complexion of my inamorata
is fair for a daughter of the tropics, but
truth compels me to state that, in one
sense, Cachita is not so white as she Is
painted. During the day she piasters
her delicate skin with cascarilla, q
chalky composition of powdered egg
shell and rum. This she applies with
ont the least regard for effect, after the
manner of other Cuban ladies, who have
theory that whitewash is q protection
against the sun, and check to unbe.
coming perspiration. Toward the cool
of the evening, however, my Cachita
diyests herself OF her calcareous mask
and appears in all her native bloom.
Since my return from Don Severiano s
plantation, have been a constant Vlsl'
tor at the parental residence in town
and here in due course the tender pas
sion gradually develops itself.
For reasons presently to be explained
we occasionally meet at the window col
Cachitas boudoir, which is admirably
adapted for purposes of wooing being
wide, lofty and within easy reach from
the street. Like other Cuba windows
it is guiltless of glass, but anything like
elopement from within, or burglary from
without, is effectually provided against
by means of strong iron bars, placed
wide enough apart, however, to admit the
arm and shoulder of Pyramus on the
pavement, or the yielding face of a
Thisbe on the other side. An open en-
gagement in Cuba has many disadvan'
tages which an open-air engagement has
not. Seated in an uncongenlal arm
chair, the conventional lover may enjoy
the society of his betrothed any hour o
the day or evening, but he may not meet
her by gas-light alone, nor may he ex
hibit his passion in demonstratlVe
manner, save in the presence OF others.
Warned by these objections, Cachita and
have agreed to keep our own counsel
and court in this al-fresQo way. Besides,
it is the Cuban custom for q lady TO SIT
before her window, in the cool OF the
evening, and converse with passing
aeouaintance without infringing the
ruIss Of propriety.
Cachita' persnts are in the comedor,
taking their early supper Of thick choc'
olate and new milk rolls. Dona Belen
ia a corpulent lady witl couple OF last
century side-curls, and a round, good
na.ured face. Don Severiano is short
shriyeled old gentleman, With a, salloW
countenance, closely shaved like
priests, and collar and crayat OF the
latest fashion. These worthy people
are ct present ignorant Of their daugh,,
ter's attaehment, and we have agreed
not to enlighten them, because tnelr
opinions respecting mstEipony differ
Dona Belep is easily won if saltGF to
her daughters hand can prove his genu
inc white origin, while Don Severianc
has In extreme partiality for gentlemen
with coffee plantations, sugar estates OF
tobacco farms. >,
The Spanish language is an agreeable
medium for expressing the tender pas
sion; Crsole-Spanish is even more suited
10 such a purpose, being full of epdear
ing epithets and afectionate diminn
tiyes. | am not obliged to address my
lady.loye by her simple name OF Car
dad: / may call her Caridadcita, Ca
chita. Chuchu, Coneha, Cachona, Con
cbita' or Cachumbita, and be perfectly
grammatical, and at the same time
fond The same romantic language EN-
ables me to use such pretty eP'thets q
Mi mulatica," (my little mulatto girl
mi Chinita, (my little China-woman
Mi negrita," (my pretty negressl.
And, il these endearing epithets arr
not found sufficient to express my aztec
tionate regard, have the option OF ad
dressing my beloved in such terms as
Prends de mi almai My souls jeBeli
] Botoneito de ross Little rose-bndl
Lucero de la manana Dawn Of the day
Iuz de mi vida Light of my lifel
Diitos de cOcuyoi Little nre-hy eyes
Consnelo mlol My own joyl
| Nj uereneuitof Ny little merengue
OjitOa de Pega-pegal kyes that rIyet
Mi mOhOnal e.y toNsy onel
! Ny tOrmentot Ply pufe lgfmeptt
nj consolacionl Ny consolation
/ Viai de mi almai Child Of my soull
and a number Of expressions Gs choic
as those quoted above.
Our conversation is carried on in epi
grammatic phrases. ] need not vast
words by making the long-Tlnded N n
sSiry. SDo you love mer 1t is suii
s;ent TO AJAX simply, Ne quieres
Ard wben Cachits tells me, IN reply
tbsf her love for me may be compare
to her fonduess for her mothers Pre-
cioas bones ("Te quiero mas qae q 70
SSssitos de mi mama", and when, iol
lowing suit. / assure ny pelofes 'uss
value her az ] do the apple o. nlhs ~
/ a. como Ia nina DE- mis- olos J knol
Eell enough thai these are only ng1rte
OF speech. adopted BY lovers IN N