The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-17
MEXICAN CHIVALRY.

A Jarocho Dancing Party-How the Bell
of tho Occasion Danced, and how ho
Admirers Hung Challenges to Morta
Combat upon hor Shoulders-The Due
with which the Dance Ended.
A correspondent of the New Yorl
Eveni1g Post writes from Vera Cruz
Mexico, as follows: 1t was two o'clocl
in the afternoon-so said the shadows o
the palm trees-when three or four must
clans began tuning up their jazacanas ant
bandolins near the estrade. The tropica
sun was shining down in all its dazzling
brilliancy upon the hower-wreathet
booth, the wattled huts, the gayly ca
parisoned horses, the velvet attired mer
and barc-armed women-upon all tht
glaring contrasts of squalid poverty an(
bedizened bravery. In our own cole
cline Terpsichore awaits the coming o
night, with its accessories of waxer
floors, brilliant gaslight and sensuous per
fumes but in the Mexican lowlands
the Jarocho dances in the broad glare o.
day. with passionate excitement as in
tense as the beams of the fiery luminarJ
above him.
At the first rude notes of the guitars
the men deserted the drinking stalls
while from every hut in the village troops
of young girls came tripping toward the
sylvan ballroom. The floor was filled
with the female dancers, who, in the first
stages of the fandango, alone figure upon
it; the men being by singular custom
mere spectators Of the women's perform
ance. The musicians, seated upon the
ground close to the estrade, strummed
energetically upon their instruments
occasionally supplementing the music
with their voices in kind of rude i'm
provisation, pointed with coarse illusions
which elsewhere would have emptied the
floor in moment, but here only served
to increase the excitement. The dancing
went on in an energetic way, much aug
mented by the shouts and plaudits oi
the spectators; each of whom had some
especial favorite to encourage. Many OF
the dances executed were strictly national
in character, while others were Spanish
the yulero, 7a11ol1 and zaIpGteadr be-
ing plainly recognizable. And one could
not help admiring the dexterous manner
in which these beautiful and supple wo-
men carried tumbler of water upon
their heads. without spilling u drop,
while dancing with the greatestivigor, or
the facility with which they unfastened
the siiken knots upon their satin shoes in
the difficult bonaba, without using their
hands. There were, too, quadrilles and
contradances of various kinds, with an
occasional pas sea-; by some expert dancer.
My Mephistophelian old friend of the
morning ride gave in dance known as
la garcia an imitation of the writings
and contortions of a malefactor dying by
the garrote-the Mexican method of
capital punishment. The dance was dis
gusting in its details and execution, yet
was greeted with loud vivas by the
Jarochos, for whom a public execution
possesses irresistible attractions.
The musicians, who had changed their
time with every dance, or at the popular
call, now struck up the lively preteneza.
By this time the estrade was filled with
dancers, and the excitement among the
spectators, increased by frequent pota-
tions at the drinking booths. waxed
more and more intense: seeming to cen
ter about the figure of young girl who
had but lately appeared on the scene.
She was a magnificent creature, this
daughter of the South, of graceful mien
and dazzling beauty.
AS the dance went on the crowd about
the estrade resolved itself into two fac
tions, each led by a richly-dressed Jaro-
cho, both of whom were evidently aspir-
ants for the hand of the bewitching
Circe. It was apparent at o glance that
the adherents of both parties were ami
mated not so much by admiration for
their leader as by the hope that some
contest might grow out of the jealous
rivaly waged between them. To this
end their words all tended. Jesus has
no chance" shouted one. "Jose is her
man." returned another. The musicians,
urged on by the spirit of evil, or ami
mated by the hope Of quarrel arising
between the opposing factions, strummed
their guitars with redoubled vigor, and
filled the air with an Internal discord.
The women dancing upon the estrade
chartered among themselves. evidently
jealous of the attention paid to Circe,
who, proud and FACILITATING, clearly felt
the power which made her the beauty
queen of the fiesta. The rival lovers,
from their places on opposite sides OF
the estrade, scowled ominous ly,, and
spoke slightingly of each others bravery
and courage. Their 6dherents caught up
the refrain until taunts and jeers were
freely banded between them. 1t was
apparent that the storm was about to
burst, when suddenly the music stopped,
and there came a cry of Chan,naarG y
n,achete! (Sash and swo-d.) At the
sound the men exchanged looks of evil
dent satisfaction, while the women left
the estrade and took up positions among
the spectators. All left but Circe. That
superb, self-contained figure stood upon
the hard stamped floor like living
Venus of flushed bronze; her complexion
heightened by the dance, her black eyes
cleaning like coal. Her tiny feet still
kept in motion though the dance had
ceased, seeming to await impatiently the
beginning of the new measure. 1t soon
came.
AS the musicians struck the first low
wailing notes of the measure q shout OF
universal applause greeted the fair
dancer. The curtain was rolling up on
q new scene; comedywas about to give
place to trag gedy, and pit, boxes and gal
lery welcomed the change. Slowly the
bandolins sounded the measures Of the
dance, and with tranquil, almost hesi:
tating steps, the young girl interpreted
the rhythm and time with her tiny feet
Gradually the chords quickened and be-
came livelier. and the slow moving
Circe merged into a radiant Terpsichore
Her eyes, hitherto bent tinidly upon the
floor, were now proudly raised and
swept the crowd with half coquettish
half inquiring glances. They seemed tc
say, Are there none brave enough te
risk being my partner?"
A young fellow thus interpreting the
questioning look, and, perhaps, eager tc
show his courage, quickly advanced te
the estrade, and, uncovering, presented
his gay sombrero with its garniture o.
silver and lace for the acceptance of the
bewitching dancer. Receiving it with 8
smile, without pausipg for an instant in
the eyolutions in which she was engaged
she placed it coquettishly upon her head
at such n slant as to show advanta
gcously the magnificent pile of purple
black hair beneath it. A prolonged
viva greeted this act so gracefully done
while the pleased gallant, who had thu:
been conceded the floor, placed himsel
opposite to her and joined in the dance
Bearing much general resemblance tt
the quadrille, the dance was more sug
gestivc, portraying the different phases
of love, courtship and coquetry, in s
manner too clear to be mistaken. Itcon
tinued for Il time. when, at the cry o
Chanan,ara" by the spectators, tn
yo,,np pallant. boWing gracefully to tn,