The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-31
SANTA re MEx;CANS.
| Tho Architecture and Interior Arrange
ment OF their Humble Homes.

Tho Architecture and Interior arrange.
ment OF their Humble Homes.
Santa Fe is composed almost entirely
of adobe houses. They are built like
the houses of Spain. one story in height.
and with q hollow court in the center
called placita. and on which all the
rooms open. They are washed on the
outside with white earth from the
mountains called terra alba, and from
the ground up about three feet with a
shining yellow earth called terra maria.
so the general appearance isvery singu-
lar. For heating rooms and cooking
there are cute little mud fire places. gen.
orally built in the corner Of the room.
also covered with the white or yellow
earth, and they arc really quite pretty
and ornamental. The wood is burned
standing on end. as the fireplace is not
of such a shape rs to permit Of laying
it down. The walls of tne rooms are
whitencd als2. and if there is any CELL
ing except the vagas Qarge logs it is
of white muslin sewed in strips and
tackled to hold it in position. There is
hardly blade of grass. tree or a
flower in the whole town, except in the
plaza and on the roofs, which last are
made of earth. three or four feet thick.
and in the rainy season are covered
with sage brush and wild flowers, of
which the prairie sunflower is the most
luxurious. Boys fly their kites from
the roofs. while dogs, goats. chickens.
and children sport over them with the
greatest freedom. There are absolutely
no mosquitoes nor rats, but occasionally
a tarantula, large fierce kind of ant.
and a pc sonoIs Lizard of which the
Mexicans stand in great terror. are met
with. The domestic arrangements Of
the poorer classes of Mexicans is of the
simplest. They have no furniture ex-
cept low narrow bed against the wall,
which serves for bed at night and seats
in the day. Their meals consist OF
s.c.lilli con carne'' (mutton and red
peppers boiled). tortillas Ga cake made
of corn-me ground between two stones
by hand). and coffee. They eat sitting
on the floor. around one large dish,
from which each helps himself. using
his tOrtillas rs a spoon. The height of
happiness for Mexican is to sit in the
sun and smoke cigarettes. These peo-
pie excel in politeness. and when see
poor. decrepit old man. whose rags
hardly cover his wasted body. bare his
white locks with a courteous bow and a
'.buenas dias. sonora" | am sure some
of the pure old Castilian blood must
course in those withered veins. and l
long to hear some of the legends of his
ancestors. They are full of traditions
and supcrstitiOns. some of which arc
very beautiful and full of pathos.
Among these one of bracele: valued
at many thousand dollars to be seen.
but not bought, in one of the stores of
the city. Many years ago the scion of Il
noble Spanish house fell in love with a
beautiful girl in the City of Mexico.
Friends objected to the marriage. and.
to move his love. insisted that the young
lover should spend two years abroad.
The young girl accompanied him
to Vera Cruz. and with sad adieus
watched the departing vessel till it was
waited from her sight. Days and
months passed only too slowly, until the
time of Punishment was accomplished,
Francisco's only solace being the watch
ing the creation of the ornaments which
were to adOrn his lovely bride. Chief
among these was the bracelet, wide as
a lady's hand. priceless with gems. and
marvellous in its delicate construction.
Twice he made great changes in its ar
rangement as he recalled some of tine
fances of his dear girl far over the sea,
and long before its completion Madrid
rang with its praise and its story. Al
last it was finished, and Francisco. with
his treasure and heart burst ng with
happy anticipations. sa'led away to
meet the dear one who alone should be
permitted to wear this miracle of beauty.
But, tragic end to all his hopes. death
had claimed her, and. mcrcifull 7
bereft If reason. Francisco wanderS
aimlessly the streets OF old Santa Fc I
bowed and broken old man, to whom
the end must come very soon as q bless
ing.-SGnta Fc IN. NJ Cor. Chicago