Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-06
A Tragedy 10 a Mexican Arsna-.-A
Beast that Paid or Some Old
Scores In a Highly Beastiy
Fashion.


San Francisco Ohronicle.l
The rural Mexicans are the most
truly democratic people | have ever
been among; there is no distinction Of
caste among them the rich and the
poor meet socially upon the same foot
ing, and share together the same sleep
ing apartment, which in the dry sea
son is the open air. / was anxious to
continue my journey on the morrow,
and told my host that | wished to I'm
ploy a guide who knew the way across
the country to a location which | des-
ignated. He informed me that one
could not be had the next day, as there
was to be a great bull fight on the
edge Of the town, and the man | would
have to employ was to fight the bull
but that the next day after I could
get him for my guide. l never find
fault with the inevitable, and decided
at once 10 remain one day longer in
town and also to witness the bovine
contest with the man. The scene of
the fight was to be in an old corral in.
closed on three sides by high and thick
adobe walls, and on the other by what
appeared to be an impenetrable fence
OF a growth Of pitahaya, a cactus Of a
luted columnar form and armed with a
bristling array Of strong, sharp thOrns.
1t formed a fence which neither mar
nor beast would endeayor 10 break
through. A strong scafolding had
been erected outside the adobe walls.
TO a level with them, and on this were
arranged the seats from which the
spectators could witness the sight free
from all danger. Ny hest procured
for me a front seat, from which | could
obtain a full view of the arena. | can
never forget the scene which was be-
fore me as | approached the seat which
| was to occupy. The Mexican women
delight in brilliant colors for their
shawls and dresses; and as the shawl is
an indispensable portion of their attire
IT is generally selected more for the
brllliancy Of its hues than for any
other quality. The seats we're all oc-
cupied, most Of them by women, and
such an aggregation Of gaudy tints /
do not think could be found elsewhere
No matter if thu dress was old and
faded, the shawl must be warm in its
colOring and
FLASHING WITH BRIGHTNESS.
The'aged crone was there, dark in
complexion, wrinkIed in visage. shriy-
eled and bent in form, and whitened
to the hue Of snow in her disheveled
locks. The maiden was there. of pure
Castllian blood, with checks OF purest
white, eyes riyaling in blackness mid
nights darkest hour, long, glossy hair
Of the tint Of the ravens wing. resting
upon rounded and full formed shout
ders, aud then falling away until they
nearly trallea upon thos0il formsfall
Of life, plump, yoluptuous and fasci.
mating. The young matr0n was there.
stilliretalnlng tracesof a beauty that
is fading, oh too soon. Maidens of
mixed blood were there, too deep il
color to be termed brunette they. too.
had eyes that spoke volumes as they
glanced from beneath their long dark
lashes nor were their forms less at
tractiye than those Of their white sis.
ters. Old men were there, seemingly
so old that it might be thought that
Death had overlooked them. Young
mel were there, dark-visaged, scowl.
ing jealousy upon each other, and with
their mantas wrapped about their
shoulders and their wide-brimmed
hats shading their brows and faces.
Some we're fully clad, while the wear.
ing apparel Of Others consisted Of
merely a trinity of items-hat. sandals
and breechcloth. Some of this latter
class OF men were splendid specimens
of muscular development, 1.-the.
active, selfpossessed and evil
IDENTIFY conscious of thor strength
and prowess. One especially
drew my attention TO him. He
was outside of the arena as [ passed
onward toward IT, | think | never
saw a moro perfect form than his il
was one that tho sculptor would do
light to have as a model, or tho painter
would rejoice to delinoate upon bis
canvas. He held in HE arms his first
born, which he foadled with a father s
warmest pride, and placed himself
whore could not fail to notice bis
infant son. J made some compliment
airy romark about his boy, at which his
eye glistened with delight, while tho
mother, who stood near, replied in a
musical voice with her thanks for the
notice of her babe Back ofthe qroup
upon the'raised seats, rose the white
walls aud dark, brown-tied roof of
the church, while far, FAR away iu the
distance of the lofty mountain tops
glistening in the sunshine closed tie
picture. After taking my seat | look.
cd down into the corral, and could not
but admire ny guide, not only for bis
powerful aud perfect build, but also
for bis good-humored expression and
calm slf~.possesSion. AS he loitercd
shout in the arena thepe was a self.
consciousness Of tho victory he would
ackiava whan hia -ofN,ononf ahouf1 IA