Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-12

fountain to their otherwise inviting luxurious
ness. One can scarcely conceive how much
these Italian fantasies and adornments add to
the attractiveness and home-ike appearance Of
these houses.
AN ARMY OF BEGGARs.
Here, also, one meets with the same class Of
mendcants that are to be found In every Italian
city, which 10 another characteristic stamp Of
italian immigration. The blind, the lame and
the halt assail YOU from almost every conceiva-
BILE place, but especially a: the doors Of churches
where their doleful, whining supplications for
aims, ''por amor de Dios." are almost distract
ing. There is also o religious society which
subsists by contributions levied on the public,
and who proceed from house to house with q
sack sung over the shoulders soliciting dona-
tons also '.Ior the love Of God" These people
consider 1t a sacriligious act to allow them to
depart empty handed. But. perhaps, the most
curious individual Of this mendicant fraternity
to an American Is
THE ''BEGGAR on HORSEBACK"
There is quite number Of this class on the out
skirts Of the city. They solicit any kind Of con-
tributions, but prefer .rials' with which to buy
the native drink ''canna." One little fellow
mounted on an Anticipated steed, particularly
attracted attention. His manner was very diff
ferent from that of his humble brothers in dis
tress. He sccosted you with the utmost assur-
ance. and with goOd-humored grin; joked
about the topics of the day, about his horse
wnich ne sad was getting too old to walk, and
nnaliy wished that you might live q thousand
years.
There is comparatively little else that is strange
TO American eyes here, the influx of foreigners
oelng large and embracing nearly every nation
atty, nging with them the latest improve
ments and inventions OF their respective conn
tres. Even the fve-cent weighing machine has
invaded MontevdeO, altered and adjusted to
weigh when rial is placed in the slot instead
Of nickel.
The streets are generally named after some
important historical event. or after some prom
inent person connected with the country, as
Gale 20 de Mayo. Gale IL d. Augusta, &C..
"hieh, II not euphOniOus. at least possesses the
advantage OF fixing the historical dates of i'm
portant events upon the Juvenile mind One
street Is called Washington" in honor of our
country.
A M0NTEvIDE0 DANCE HOUSE.
few days after our arrival a friend and nv
self made visit to one of these celebrated halls
We found it almost impossible to trace our way.
owing to the neglect of our Spanish education
and corresponding deficiency in a knowledge
OF the English tongue on the part of the citizens
ana consequently had considerable difficulty in
discovering the location of this palace of Terp-
sichore. After many blind wanderings and fruit
less inquiries we entered a convenient drup
store, and in our politest manner INQUIRED of
the smiling proprietor If he could speak French
He admitted that he could .'Then where Is
thi~ IN ernal dance house?" was the relieved in
curry that fell from our lips. "Tenez senor"
we tenezed' accordingly, while with solemnly
upufted dnger he came from behind the prescrip-
ton case and proceeded to overhaul all of his
stock OF patent medicines; boxes. bottles and
packages were all examined, while we looked
on In breathless expectation. This search prov
ing Ruthless he walked quickly back to the
nrpSprinfinn nacn nd ofxn
came smilingly and triumphantly forth hold
ing a cigarette toward us with the bland
Inquiry. "Cigarros?" With dropping heads we
shook negative reply. and again a doubling
look stole over the handsome countenance of
the druggist, only to be replaced by a bright
smile. as Selling pencil and paper he ejacu-
lated. "Eerire." We wrote the question in
French, and after moments study. the whole
physiognomy of this good-looking Spanard as
sumed an expression of disgust impossible to
describe.
From good prospective customers we had
dwindled to commonplace inqurers after
dance house OF somewhat dubious reputation
SEEING US by the arm he hoarsely said in mixed
spanish and French. Three blocks down and
one TO the right" No further trouble was ex-
perlenced. and soon we found the dance house.
at the door OF which we were promptly
SEARCHED FOR CONCEALED WEAPONS
by policeman on duty, which proceeding some
ever it is the custom, and probably a judicious
one. No entrance tee is charged. We found
ourselves In a large room shaped like a letter
l.. On the longer side was the bar. and numer-
Gus chairs and tables, which were occupied by
persons drinking, smoking and singing, while
the bar itself was full Of people.
Inc shorter end OF the room was devoted to
the oall- Tnis apartment was divided near the
center by wooden railing, while at the right.
arranged In tiers. was a small gallery for spec
tators. On the opposite side, seated on a single
board ranged along the wall were the women
VINO wished to dance. A small table stood near
these presided over by the cashier. while the
orchestra filled the end of the room
The women We're promiscuous grouping of
nationality and color, black. yellow and
white. No formalities were INDUCED In or ex-
changed You selected your partner by simply
helping her to an upright position and proceed
ing TO dance. The dances are all round dances,
and are difficult for a novice accustomed to
waltzes and polkas.
They consist of a slow, solemn step. accompa-
MED at intervals by little wriggle from the
hips downward, the upper part of the body be-
ing held rigid. At the conclusion of the dance
you go to the cashiers table and pay four or six
cents, as the case may be, according to the
length and style of the dance. proportion of
this fee is credited to your partner who receives
1t at the close Of the ball. 1t was surprising to
see the
'AhioOS NATIOSALlTIES AND COSTUMES
present on this occasion, and one might readily
fancy himself at ''bal masque" where each
different character was dressed and acted to
perfection Old men, young men. merchants.
sailors, clerks, women seemingly reputable and
those OF the lowest order all mingle promiscu-
ously. AS the hour grows later the noise and
confusion wakes greater; songs are shouted in
every conceivable tongue in one end of the
room, while the orchestra clashed away In the
q a ri irp So
the main apartment we found a game of keno in
full blast. Some thirty men were seated at a
long table with their cards before them. entirely
engrossed with their game and needless OF the
noise in the other room. At q late hour, or
rather an early one, we left, and such an imme-
date sense Of relief was experienced when we
came out into the quiet and deserted street as
to be delightful. JON.
A WONDERFUL SPRING.