Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-06
ACAPULCO.
''HOmbres" and "SenOritas''-Night
Scenes in the Plaza-Unpleasant Bed
COmDanfOns
Correspondence Chicago Tribua

OyfesfJCfhcdchACc LTfOuMc.
The Plaza itself presented an animated
appearance. 1t was evidently ''marke
day." and the ground was covered witt
heaps of fruit and other articles-banana,
] and chickens predOminating. WOmer
were seated here and there among the
/ ''marketables," and carried on a liyeIy
! chattering with the throng Of people who
| wended their way amidst the labyrinth OF
/ tropical produce. In one corner of the
| Plaza was wrinkled old hag who
! presided over large jar con-
tanning some sort of thick, dirty-lOok.
| ing soup, close to which was a mound
of tOrtillas,' or pancakes. Around her
were number of men, squatted on their
launches, busily engaged in breakfasting.
For small sum the customer obtained
one of the cakes, which he was privileged
to dip in the soup, and using il as a spoon
or dipper, convey as s.much of the delect-
able compound to his mouth as he could
lift out, at the same time biting off piece
of the cake. This operation was repeated.
mOuthful ut time, until the cake was
eaten up. The woman was doing a thriv-
ing trade, being surrounded by crowds of
men, some feasting >, and others wait
ing their turn.
The average 'HOmbre"O of Acapulco seems
TO have very little TO do. With his broad
sOmbrerO, and his universal costume OF
WuiJt pdltlS anu DlOuSt. lie lOdIS ABOUT
the streets, ever on the alert to pick up a
''mediO'' or a ''reaf' with the least pOssi-
BILE labor. Over his left shoulder he car
ries his blanket, folded so that the ends
hang down, and which serves to conceal
the "machete" swinging beneath it.,
which is ever ready for instant USE
For weeks at a time he lives like prince
on sum of money which would
not suffice to purchase a single dinner
passionately fond of gambling, and is al
ways prepared to dance, sing, or do ANY,
thing except work. He will fight. too
when occasion requires it, always pro
vided that the odds are in his favor. He
is extremely deXterOus in the use of a
''machete" or long knife, is rather timor-
Gus Of firearms, and is dreadfulv afraid
of an American or English fist His
complexion is dark, varying from "a light
mulattO to the genuine hue of Ethiopia,
but most commonly of brOwnish-yellow
color, with an expression of treachery
and cunning.
The senOrita is the persOnitication of
grace and vivacity. She is attired in a
lOOse-itting gown of dark material, reach
ing to the ground, slightly gathered ut the
waist, and so wide and low at the top as
more generally to reveal than to conceal
those charms which American women
seldom display excepting when in full
evening dress. She wears over her head
dark shawl, which in. walking she holds
together in front of her with one hand
and which enYelOps her completely,
save only portion of her face, giving
her the aspect of nun; but, when she
is animated in conversation, or does any,
thing requiring the use of both hands, the
shawl poorly serves its purpose
as covering. Her feet are un-
usually bare. She is as straight
as an arrow, and as agile as a fawn. Her
form is symmetrical, and, despite her
complexion much lighter in hue than the
other sex, hOweyer), she is handsome.
She is an arrant cOquet, loves dancing
and frivOlity, is very devout in her atten-
tiOns to the church, Is a good performer
on the harp, and possesses quite a sweet
voice for singing and natural talent for
music.
When bedtime arrived | sought my
room, which opened directly on the street,
and, not accustomed to retire to rest in
full view of the public, did not take a
lamp. Just before ''turning in however,
wishing to take a look at my couch, |
struck a match, and in the flickering light
! saw suspicious looking object on the
bed. Pulling on my clothes again, / pro-
cured a light, and, 10, to my horror, the
object proved to be an immense cent?
pede in full vigOr of poisonous life. With
the aid of many ''Caraiosv' and ''Caram-
bas!" of a Mexican servant of the house,
dispatched the venOmOus reptile, and
then, after a careful scouting of the
bedding, i reluctantly composed my
self to dreams of all sorts of hideOus
creatures. My bed was hung with
mOsquitO-netting which completely en-
velOped it; and. when / awoke in the
morning, L counted more than IA dozen
lively scorpions clinging to the outside of
the light canopy. Several siver-hued and
decidedly pretty Lizards lay upon the
walls, their glittering eyes sparkling like
diamonds as they longingly watched the
swarms of flies buzzing around. Some
what ashamed to call for assistance, and
not caring to emerge from under the net
ting while lot of scorpions seemed to be
holding eir@harp-pOinted and venOmOus
tails curled up in readiness to strike me,
I lay for long while3 Illuminating
upon the prospect Of being stung to death
some day if | remained in the country. At
last the servant entered to summon me TO
breakfast. Standing on a chair he un-
hooked the canopy from its fastenings
overhead, and gathering it in his arms,
scorpions and all, shook it out the door
Thus passed nv first night in AcaDulcO