Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-11-29
AN OLD CITY.


AN OLD CITY.
sights and Society In chihuahua, Mexico
Samuel Booth, in Inter Ocean
chihuahua, the capital of the state,
has from fifteen to eighteen thousand
inhabitants, and was once noted for H.
dullness, but it is now rapidly improv-
ing, and is feeling, as all Mexican
towns must feel, the stimulant of rail
road enterprise. The city is well laid
oHt, having broad, well paved streets,
which cross at right angles. Here, for
the first and probably for tho last
time while in Mexico, you will see the
American omnibus and hack, whose
drivers have little regard for anything
except the mOney they think you owe
them, whether you are rich or not.
The depot of the Mexican Central rail
road is over mile from the center OF
the town, and this necossitatosl your
riding in carriage or taking the street
car. This street car line has been COM
pleted since | came here, three months
ago, and am told IL is great COnyon-
ienco as well rs financial success.
The city is quaint and curious, as are
all Mexican towns, and dates back to
the close of tho seventeenth century.
It is said that in ll6O the AHtGcs occu-
pied the site of the town and erected
upon it their temples.
In the center of the town is the Plaza
Major, which is an open plot of ground
of about the same size as one OF the
squares Of Chicago. 1t is one OF
Chihuahua'S most attractive places, be.
ing filled with flowers and surrounded
by fine walk, lined with seats, where
both natives and foreigners gather
twice q week and listen to the excellent
music of the military band. Music is
given every Sunday and Thursday even
ngs from eight until ten O'Clock, and
they are called music nights. Sunday
evening is the principal music night OF
the week, and then the town can be
seen at its best. 1t is then very inter.
esting place, being iillrd with gayly
dressed Ia lies and gentlemen Of all
ages, nationalities and countries, who
make this the pleasure evening OF the
week. There is none Of the loud talk.
ing and laughing so common in the
United States, all being quiet and sub.
dued, and all seeming to bo enjoying
themselves. 1t is certainly 4 pretty
SIGHT to see the brilliantly dressed Ia
dies and gentlemen walking among the
flowers, keeping step to the music of
liuc orchestra. and all in the cool anC
invigorating air so common to this eli
mate.
According to the custom of the coun
try, the ladies. both young and old
promenade the plaza by walking arounc
and around, always going from right t
left, while the gentlemen walk from
left to right, thus meeting each olhc
twice in going around the plaza once
This custom dates back to "Lime i'm
memorial and is part of the etiquett,
OF the country.
There is probably no place in tho
world where etiquette is moro slrictl,
observed than in Mexico, and the fol
lowing are some Of its peculiarities.
The windows of all residences il
northern, and | might say in al
Mexico, are barred with an iron o
wooden grating, projecting few
| inches toward the sidewalks and form
ing sort of balcony. The object o
this is to separate all gentlemen no
properly introduced and youchcd fo
from meeting the lady Of the house
No gentleman is allowed to call upon
lady until after he has been reguarl,
introduced by some intimate friend o
relative of the family, who becomes re
sponsibIo for the visitors conduct. Thi
is never done until his character, per
sonal habits, and the standing of hi
family are known. If the introduction
and standing Of the party is satisfa tory
he is then permitted TO call upon tht
lady of the house, and she can re3eiv
him only in the presence OF some mem
Der of the family or trusted friend, wh'
is expected not to leave the room Will
| the caller is present. II tho caller is ;
Young man and calls upon u youn!
lady, then her mother or some lad,
member of the family is always present
and she does most of The entertaining
When the young man calls three OF
four times il is presumed that he know
what he wants, and it is there ore eX
pocted that he will at once seek tn
hand Of the lady in marriage, but if h
fails 10 declare his intentions, then tn
father or Oldest son, il living-if not
then the uncle or some other membe
of the family-invites tho gentleman t
come forward and state the object o
his visits, or discontinue them.
The young lady is never allowed t
ride or drive alone with gentleman
neither is she allowed to walk upon tn
street, visit any friend, nor to attend
public ball, except she is accompanie
by some member of tho family or
trusted lady friend. Neither gentle
man nor lady is expected to either cor
Verse or promenade the street or plaza
or to exchange any but the commone;
courtescs. After being introduced
the gentleman is always expected I
recognize the lady first, and if he fail
TO do this soon after his introduction
it is understood that he desires TO CT
her acquaintance. AT u public ball c
if at dinner in the house of Il fricnc
then both ladies and gentlemen ma
dance and converse at pleasure tC
then they are in tho presence OF mutui
friends. If the gentleman desires
form tho acquaintance of lady, or hf
not been properly introduced an
vouched for, then he can only admin
: her at n distance, send billet douX or
best talk to her through the bars OF ht
window, which is only large enough
admit the hand and arm. 1t is con
| mon sight to see young Mexicans stant
ing before the windows of the hous'
l with one hand or the window bars an
the other holding the inevitab
cigarette, laughing and chatting as
t they were the most privileged OF woer
The New Education.
= : Demorests Monthly for December.
Nnorly ayarvnna who testified befOl