St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-09-29
LIFE IN konovaAs.

LIFE IN hosovaAs.
ne Social Customs os Very Hospatsbla
and 0ood-Nstured People.
The most notable characteristics Of
the H0nduranians: is 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 ia
recognize the necessity Of North
American push and enterprise being
infused into the country's affairs II the
country would sdvance. Without
these 1t would certainly remain what
It 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 reve-
ries apd daybreak serenades.
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-the Central
American side-saddle being constructed
the opposite Of those used in the United
States. The right feot Is placed in
the stirrup and tiny but effective sill
ver spur is worn on the heel. Tho
right hand holds the bride and the
left usually carries Ann umbrella. A
whip is seldom needed with the spur.
although . few ladits 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 q skirt of brightcolored calico.
with q light cashmere or faded silk
shawl wound pe-fashion about
head and shoulders, thu women make
their way up and down the steep and
winding mountain road at an incredi.
Bile speed. If. as is often the case.
they carry burden, the shawl Is let
down. a cloth doubled and placed up
ON the head in a peculiar way, form
ing a sort Of nest in which is set the
bottom of the basket, or the ''Olla,"
whichever it may be. The ''olla"
is the earthen water jar. It
weighs three or four pounds empty
and probably holds eight or ten quarts.
1t is never carried otherwise than on
the head. The raising Md pofsmg OF
the full ''olla" is accomplished slowly,
and with obvious pride should
any stranger stand looking on. But
once it is rightly set, the woman bear
ing it walks away as lightly, easily
and unconcernedly as a New York lady
trips down Broadway in pleasant
weather.
The Honduranian wedding is an
avcnt OF much ceremony. especially
among the richer people. 1t begins at
eight in the 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 pOme.
yranate 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
,eases, or else the band 60 into the
patio and play very softly. The bridal
party emerge from private rooms.
The mayor appears. Tho civil
ceremony is 'begun and care
ully gone through with. This done
he cure takes his place and performs
| small part OF the religious service.
After this the cure goes away. Sup
Der is partaken of. and the ball begins.
AL night long the music, the feasting.
he champagne and the dancing con-
inue. At four in the morning the
bell is heard. Instantly the
nerriment ceases. The bride and
room set out, heading q considerable
of friends and relatives.
The priest meets them at the main
Of the cathedral. There is q
,rief pause. The bride extends her
land. and the groom places in it :hir.
cen coins, repeating the customary
,hrase-equivalent to with my world.
Y goods l thee endow." The bride re-
ponds meetly. Then the company.
ed by the cure, pass slowly toward
he main altar. and all kneel while |
mass is celebrated. This concludes the |
Bride and groom. instead Of depart
ng on q wedding tour. 60 at once to |
heir new home. where a remarkably |
Inc wedding breakfast is Immediately |
Of BY the relatives and most |
friends. Rochester, ia \
Tome Journal.
Pennies in the South.
Pennies, 90 long despised In the
'outh and West, are now demanded by
hose sections SO eagerly that the