Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-25

1
| peaceful, but that of the baby was strangely
distorted, as if terrified by its brief look
on life Fresh flowers were scattered upon
the scarlet blanket that partially covered
| the still figures lighted candles stood at
the head and feet, and near by sat
the sisters and parents of the dead
woman, silent and sad. Inquiring why
! the husband and father was not among
the mourners, was carelessly
! informed, as though it were nothing to
cause remark, that Ia probracrta (the poor,
dear girl) had never been wedded-and as
for the father-quien sabe?
A great crowd occupied the house Of
mourning, laughing and jesting as though
the occasion were one of rejoicing rather
than sorrow. Many were playing cards.
outside, under pomegranate tree, refresh
| ments were spread, and music, and uproar
resounded in startling incongruty with
the dread mystery of death.
The ceremony of E2 Velorio is always
observed when there is 9 death in the iam-
lily, and is intended to keep up the spirits
Of the relatives and prevent their thoughts
from dwelling on the sad side of the occa-
] sion. We are told that considerable diff
ference is made between the velorio Of
grown person and thai of a child, because
the latter, being comparatively without
sin, is sure to 90 straight to eternal hap
piness, and therefore It's demise is properly
a subject Of rejoicing With adults it is
not so certain where the soul may have
been sent to do penance for the deeds OF
the body, and SO at their uej0rio there is
less merriment and more card playing the
object being merely to amuse the mourn
ers-since the dead are Indifferent alike TO
smiles or tears.
With these simple-minded folk death is
looked upon without fear or terror, as one
Of the common accidents of life. With
laugh upon his lips, the Indian lies down
to die, remarIing cheerfully, goy Il de,ean-
sar, " am going to rest"
Their sppe:stirio1s are smsularly .nate-
rialistio. They believe that the sinful
soul reaches hell (msjctlan) after .
long and painful journey. A deep,
dark river interyenes, and to cross
1t the aid of a yellow dog is necessary,
with string tied around his neck, which
is held by the corpse. Any dog but yell
low one would not do at ALL 4 black one
would soy, ~ have been staiued;" a white
one, 81 have been washed" and neither
could 6nd the only fordable place in the
river. Therefore, yellow dogs are reared
for that especial purpose, which may ac-
count for the host Of ours in and around
Santo Toribiro
In crossing this Styx the poor corpse
leads him, naked, between two lofty noun
tains that are constantly clashing together;
then over another, which is covered with
! stones sharp as needles; then over eight
hills, upon which sieet cats his flesh
like knives, and on through eight deserts,
whore the sands are hot az burning
Goals, After all this, he is led through a
path where poisoned arrows are contin-
ually flying and-worst Of all, fierce tigers
come and eat out his heart, and he falls
into foaming lagoon, flied with lizards.
How he gets oat of it is not explained
but at length he appears before the King
of Mictlan, when his journey is ended and
his identity lost forever. No wonder that
people are inclined to be good in a land
where such beliefs prevail
Another superstition is that Of the
Heavenly Milk Tree, 70. dead infants,
which grows in q mansion, called Chikua-
cuahco. From its twigs milk is constantly
ooging and it is believed that babies thus
nourished will return TO earth after thou
sands Of years, TO populate this world anew
when the present race has passed away.
When local marriages occur in this re-
gion, the parents Of the couple make all
the arrangements between themselves.
The tender passion takes early root in the
tropics, and it is not uncommon to see a
bride aad groom, both under IA years.
When the boy wants to get married, he tells
his mother all about it. She talks with
the father, and If both are willing to accept
the girl as their daughter they repair to
the house of her parents, taking with them
ehiqlGhutte of fowls, fruit, bread, ears Of
dried corn, and strings Of peppers. They
organize g sort OF procession, composed Of
| their relatives and friends, headed by a
band Of music, thus publically proclaiming
their intention.
| 1t is good form for. the girls mother TO
politely refuse the first request until she
has had time to consult the maiden as to
her wishes in the matter, and to find ont
! what her own friends may think of it.
She sends the procession home, comp
| pletely In The dark as to the result of
! their mission. If the answer be irrevoca-
! BY 1l1fayoyahlo, she simply sends back 10
! the parents Of the wcusd-be lover, their
basket with contents untouched. If, on
the contrary. she is inclined to entertain
their proposal, in course of Il week or two
she sends TO them another ohjqtihnits filled
with similar offerings.
| FANNIE T.. WARD