Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-15
FROM GRAVE TO GAY.
HOW THE WOMEN OF MEXICO MCx RELIGION AND PLEASURE,

A Strange Medley of Recreation and D. votion--Fascinatins Glimpses of an Adobe Ball Room-Old and Young En- joy Themselves Together.
 ] The last strains of dying hymn, chanted In a sort of jerky monotone, had scarcely ceased vibrating among the ponderous rough hewn, web covered beams of the little adobe church at Grants, N NJ, writes correspond ent, when the congregation, principally | women, true to a habitual failing began an animated conversation Whether their com ments related to any particularly impressive point of the past service, or were devoted to coming over interesting bits of domestic aeairs, is not known, but it surprises tho stranger, while waiting few moments at the entrance of the church watching the people, to receive pressing invitation to attend . "baile" or Mexican dance
 A baile is, of course, a most harmless rec reatton, but to fly to the opposite extreme, with the lights of the church yet burning and the priests still shrouded in sacramenta1 robes impressed one as being just trifle sac | riegious.
 A VERY sIMpLE BALLROOM. Women so lately sitting with uncovered heads in silent devotion now tripped lightly | through the gloomy streets, moving in and out between the darkened structures, chat | ting and laughing each with the other, appar | ently in the very transports of merriment, | all seemed incongruous
 Reaching a long, low roofed building, | where small, dingy window emitted flick | sring, uncertain light, and shrill strains of music ioated out into the night through an | open door, the casual visitor allowed himself | to be hustled rather unceremoniously into the very midst of Mexican dance.
 1 long, narrow hall, along either side of which, for the accommodation of ladies, several rough wooden benches were strung out, each set closely against the wall. Upon these sat women of all ages, in all imaginable toilets, 1 with hands crossed demurely in front of them, but intent upon watching the move ments of those upon the floor
 A number of tallow candles stuck into wide wooden crosses and suspended at various places from the ceiling imparted dim and almost religious light, that cast weird, pecu- liar glow upon the duslSy occupants of the 1 room. Upon the wall which had received a l fresh adornment of whitewash for the occa- l sion, arranged in an odd, fantastic fashion, l were groups of vari-hued muslins and calicoes made up with complicated loops, bows and circles and neatly pinned together by means of green cedar boughs. Those simple green leaves and bright colored muslins combined in making q noticeably pleasing effect, and greatly relieved the dull, dead white of the l walls.
 To assist the passage of sound two soulful musicians were accorded seat high above the crowd on a mammoth dry goods box, | where they played on a violin and guitar I However the dancers were favored with ad- l ditional sounds, very hollow, however, that | issued from the depths of the resonant dry goods box, and occasionsd by four we'll souled ! boots keeping up continual tattoo.
 In the event of such enjoyable occasions the | Mexican people (of New Me1ico) observe very little or no social distinction, consequently all classes of people in all phases of life mingle | together in the ball room. The haughtiest don, surpassing himself in a sweeping suit of broadcloth, goes around in a may whirl hand | in hand with a moccasined peon and calico l enveloped lass.
 Women of all ages and girls not yet ill their teens eagerly await request to be led out upon the floor, yet upon the face of those neglected, and who wait unasked for hours upon the hard wooden benches, have never noticed an expression that would denote envy
 The old crone of 50 accepts an invitation as promptly as the blushing young damsel of 16 She perhaps does not feel the same thrill of pleasure as her younger sister, but she Ger | tainly brightens up on "dance nights" and goes through the regulation moves to the best of her ability, which, considering her ad- vanced years, Is very considerable. The prin- cipal charm, If any there be in Mexican dances, Is their simplicity. Each dancer, from reason of being taught from early child hood, has all the required steps down to . science, which obviates the necessity of any ''calling of" or prompting"
 l THE RErRESHMENT ROOM
 Such simplicity, however, does not prevail throughout the entire performance, as other very undesirable and highly congruous feat ures strike one as being extremely vulgar, if not wholly barbarous. For instance, e male gallant during intervals between sets amused himself, if no one else, by stalking up and down the floor, leering his body to and fro with an air ot bravado, and by pounding hiz feet vigorously upon the boards made a harsh, discordant noise with the clashing of two monster spurs, one of which he wore buckled to either boot.
 Another young man, tall and exceptionally fierce looking, swung pretty young girl through the delights of @ waltz, while tho polished end of a huge six shooter at each turn gleamed bright and formidable from beneath his coat.
 At the completion of each set, the gentle man conducts the lady to an adjoining room, where refreshments are served. The refresh l f0enC stand, over Wn1cn an e1oerly WoInan M white apron presided, Is worthy of note. The upper surface of the stand, upon which the delicacies were served, measured about four feet square. Directly in the center stood dozen or more large black bottles, some full, others partially filled with liquor Around the bottles arranged in a circle were a num- Der of saucers-
 The men for the most part took liquor, but the women regaled themselves each time with the contents of single saucer, and the price for the combination of liquors, fruit and con- factions amounted to the modest sum of 25 cents. As the hours waned the more careful parents took their children home. Others left in small numbers; the candles one by one futtered out gradually, darkening the room, and finally the revelers were followed into the darkness by the two very much fatigued musicians.-New York Star.
 Natural Gas.
 In view of the ever expanding enterprise of American towns and American manufac- l faYrec and ecYooia1lv iy, of A,,,or{,>ap