The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-08-09


! zhS sseial Customa Of very lIospltaAas
and 0ood-Nstursd People.
!. The most notable characteristics Of
the Honduranians 10 unfailing good
nature, particularly as displayed TO-
ward foreigners. The strangers who
flock hither in mining. or agricultural,
or stock-growing interests are always
we'll received. The natives seem TO
recognize the necessity Of North
American push and enterprise being
infused into the country's affairs II the
country would advance. Without
these II would certainly remain what
1t has been for centuries, q land Of
pleasant dreams, Of sweet, quaint
guitar-thrumming, Of dancers moving
all night long in the gay danza or
moro lively polka, Of afternoon reye-
ries and daybreak serenades. -. 4
In Honduras every lady has her own
saddle mule She rides with grace and
ease acquired by constant practice
from early childhood. She sits on the
right side Of the mule-tho Central
American side-saddle being constructed
the opposite Of those used In the United
States. The right foot is placed in
the stirrup and o tiny but effective sill
lver spur Is worn on the heel. The
right hand holds the bride and tho
left usually carries sun umbrella A
whip Is seldom needed with the spur.
although fow ladies who have been
in New York have adopted the whip
and discarded the umbrella. A wide-
brimmed hat Is indispensable, and the
riding habit is Of gray linen or some
small-check fancy In cotton,
The poor, who have no mules, walk.
A days journey on foot Of twenty
miles Is not thought remarkable.
Clad coolly In a clean camisa, with
modestly low neck and short sleeves,
and skirt of bright-colored calico.
with light cashmere or faded silk
shawl wound serape-fashion about
head and shoulders, the women make
their way up and down the steep and
winding mountain road ut an incredi.
bio speed. II, as Is often the case,
they carry burden, the shawl Is let
down. a cloth doubled and placed up
on the head In peculiar way, form
ing sort OF nest in which Is set the
bottom OF the basket. or the ''olla,"
whichever 1t may be. The "olla"
10 tho earthe4 water jar. Il
weighs three or four pounds empty
and probably holds eight or ten quarts.
1t is never carried otherwise than on
the head. Tho raising and poisipg Of
the full "olla" Is accomplished slowly.
carefully and with obvious pride should
any stranger stand looking on. But
once 1t Is rightly set, the woman bear.
ing " walks away as lightly, easily
and unconoernedly as New York lady
trips down Broadway in pleasant
weather.
The Honduranian wedding h an
avent Of much ceremony. especially
among the richer people II begins at
eight in tho evening at the brides
home. All the relatives and friends Of
both families are present. The patio,
with Japanese lanterns hung here and
there among the orange and pomc-
granate trees--and the moon shedding
! her soft light over all-is thronged as
we'll as the house. The gay music
which has been performed by the
musicians FOR perhaps an hour now
ceases, or else the band 90 into the
patio and play very softly. The bridal
party emerge from private rooms,
The mayor appears. The OWL
ceremony Ia begun and care
fully gone through with. This done
the cure takes his place and performs
q small part Of the religious service.
After this the cure goes away. Sup
per is partaken Of, and the ball begins.
All night long the music, the feasting.
tho champagne and the dancing CON,
tinue. At four In the morning the
cathedral bell is heard. Instantly the
merriment ceases. The bride and
groom set out, heading considerable
procession Of friends and relatives,
The priest meets them at the main
entrance Of tho cathedral. There IL q
brief pause. The bride extends her
hand, and the groom places In 1t thir-
teen coins. repeating the customary
phrase-equivalent to with my world.
ly goods / thee endow." Tho bride re-
spends meetly. Then the company,
led by the cure, pass slowly toward
the main altar, and all kneel while
mass is celebrated. This concludes the
ceremony.
Bride and groom, instead Of depart
ing on wedding tour. go at once To
their new homo, where remarkably
fine wedding breakfast is Immediately
partaken Of by the relatives and most
immediate friends. Paul Rochester, in
Homo Journal.
~S----
Pennies In the South.