Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-12
FEAST OF SAN JOSE.
IT'S ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
NEW MtXIC0.
The Story OF Adams Fall and Loss
of Eden Strikingly Given in
Crude Drama.

A correspondent of an Eastern publica-
ton gives an interesting description of the
celebration of The Feast of San Jose.
by Mexicans and Indians, near Albu-
querque, n. NJ. which annually takes place
III that Territory, The account is as follows:
One afternoon in January, at Mexican
village about ore mile north of the old
town of Albuquerque, n NJ, occurred the
feast of San Jose. The feast should
properly have been celebrated in the month
of March; but, owing to the fact that at
that season large majority OF the male
portion OF the native population will be
engaged in the arduous task of repairing
the 6cequidS, and putting them in shape to
irfigate their spring crops, it was deter
mined that it would be to the advantage of
all concerned to engage in this popular
feast before the necessity of toiling thus
should demand their time and attention.
Going north on the cid Bernalillo road,
at the point above specified, a narrow road
turns directly west. The first house on the
right of this road contains characteristic
Mexican grocery and saloon-prpcipally
saloon. In front of this building was
gathered d great crowd of men, some of
whom had already begun to 1mbibe quite
freely. Arranged along the adobe wall,
near the saloon, were three devices for
gambling. They resembled somewhat
large wash-tubs, with the bottom of each
incining to an opening i'll the center
They were painted in gay colors and were
being patroni2ed literally by Mexicans and
Indians. A little farther west, and still on
the right-hand side of the road Was an
adobe church into which the priest entered
for what reason | could not say, unless
perhaps, he surmised that out of so vast a
crowd he might be able to secure a congre-
CATION. Opposite the church were some
loH adobe dwelling houses.
Although the road was in frightful
condition, being one vast mud-hole from
beginning to end, the crowd-consisting of
Mexicans, men, women and children, In
dams with their families, together with a
few curiosity-seeling Americans, who had
rentured through all this mud and slush
for the purpose of witnessing the interest
ing spectacle to be presented-continued
to surge west and around to the rear of said
dwelling-houses Every style and descrip-
ton of vehicles known TO the human race
seemed to be represented. People rode on
horseback, in old-fashioned ambulances.
in OK carts, in lumber wagons drawn by
mules, etc.
In the rear of one dwelling house, and
up against the wall thereof, was erected a
rudge stage, made oflogs and covered with
earth. In front of it were cedar trees, with
bows of red tape i'll the branches; and at
| the back of the stage, partitioned OFF with
canvas, was a dressing-room, where the
| actors arrayed themselves for the perform
anee, and the musicians were seated The
entertainment was what the MeXicans call
g Una Comedia, comedy, and represent
e our first parents in the Garden of Eden,
their temptation and fall.
Soon after our appearance musicians be-
gan to discourse sweet t?) music upon the
| accordion, mouth-horns, ETC.: and by the
time the curtain was ready TO rise a vast
| assembly had congregaied in the open
space in front of the stage. There must
have been fully 800 vehicles crowded to-
gether, and at least 1000 persons. of all
ages, sizes. colors and conditions-from the
screaming infant up TO the gray-haired
grandams. | noticed one aged woman,
with u baby in her arms, who, while the
orchestra was in full blast, between the
acts, was dancing around rs nimbly as Il
young damsel of IS. Beside those on the
ground, a large number were enjoyiGg the
scene from the adjoining hOuse-top.
The characters represented were God,
Adam and Eve the Devil Appetite, Sin
the Angel, and Mercy
While Eve gazed longingly at one of the
| trees, Appetite urged her to take the apple,
taste it, smell it and feel of it, while the
Devil assured her that it would be all right
for her to do so. She took, ate, handed it
to Adam. and Immediately Sin entered
upon the stage.
Perhaps description OF Eve would not
be amiss here. She was attired in white
and wore small white apron Upon her
head was a wreath of artificial flowers
composed principally of small sunilowers
but with an abundant sprinkling of make
believe blossoms of every other Imaginable
hue. She also had on her head a long
white veil, while her hair was decorated
with various colored ribbons. She recited
her parts of the programme i'll Mexican,
course, and in high monotonous voice.
The Devils head was made of buffalo skin,
with mouth wide open, and huge, hideous
teeth projecting therefrom. The rest of his
body was also covered with buffalo skin
He had the usual appendages-borns and
a tail-and an uglier devil it would be diff
cult to imagine. Sin wore black cap over
his head, reaching down to his nose over
his mouth was spread an immense OK tail
Appetite had his face painted with red and
white stripes.
After Sin had entered the garden, God
arose behind the curtain. He was dressed
in white, and wore a crown of red and
white. In his hand he carried wand. re-
sembling a BARRIERS pole on small scale.
He called Adam Adam about dozen
times, in loud, stentorian voice; but
Adam failed to appear. Then God came
forward into the garden, and, finding Adam
and Eve, handed Adam hoe, and drove
them both out.
An Angel, boy about 70 years old, then
appeared upon the stage. He was arrayed
in pink dress, with pink, fringed wings
pinned on his back. ! do not see how any
one could want to be an angel, and with
the angels stand if he imagined them
looking anything like this boy. His dress
came about to bis knees protruding below
it were white drawers; and his own panta-
looms were stuck in his big top boots. He
appeared to be attempting to reconcile God
and man. for shortly after he made his
speech, which was done with many and
violent gestures, God, Adam and Eve, the
Angel and Devil, together with Mercy, en-
tered and held council. Mercy interceded
with God for Man, and snatched the head
from the Devil. and everything seemed to
be all right again
This was the end of the comedy, and the
people commenced to dispense to their
homes. having apparently enjoyed most
heartily The performance. great many
remained to the horse races. etc. but we
concluded to go home. As we passed the
saloon we came upon a drunken fight.
This was probably the order of proceedings
for the rest of the evening and night, and |
have serious doubts whether the priest sue
ceedet in getting congregation together
and, even II he did. whether they were in
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