The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-02-06
FROM GRAVE TO GAY.
HOW THE WOMEN or MEXICO MIX
RELIGION AND PLEASURE.
4 Strange Medley Of Recreation and de-
Votiou--- Fascinating Glimpses of an
Adobe Rail Room-Oid and Young I'm
JOY Themselves Together.

. y H'NfA W fe'f'Nb'h ~
voticu--- Fascinating Glimpses Of an
Adobe Rail Room-oid and Young FIN
JOY Themselves Together.
Tho last strains OF a dying hymn. ohanted
ln a sort a icrky monotone, had scarcely
ccasi vibrating among tho pondcrous, rough
hown web covered beams OF the little adobe
church az Grants. y NJ. writes a correspond
emf. when tho congregation. principally
women. truo % a habitual failing. began an
animated conversation Whether their com
mcnis related 20 any particularly impressive
point OF the past service or wero devoted %
coming over Interesting bits Of domestic
affairs, is not known. but Il surprises the
stranger while waiting "a few moments at tho
entrance OF tho church watching tho people,
% receive pressing Invitation 70 attend q
"halio" or Mexican dance
bale is of course a most harmless rec
reation, bat 70 ily 10 tho opposite extreme.
with the lights OF the church yet burning
and The priests still shroudod Ia sacramcntal
robes, impressed one as being just a triae sac
rueg.ous
VERY SIMPLE BALLROOM
Women 50 lately sitting with uncovered
beads in silent devotion nov trippcd lightly
through the gloomy streets. moving in and
out between the darktncd structures, chat
ting Qnd laughing each with the other, appar
entity in the very transports Of rncrriment
all seemed incongruous
Reaching % Tong, low rooted building.
whcro "a small. diugv window emitted a flick
ering uncertain light, and shril strains Of
music hoatcd ont into the night through an
open door. the casual visitor allowed himself
to bc hustled rather uncerenoniously into the
very midst Of n Mexican dance.
Tho dancing apartment consisted Of one
long, narrow tall. along either side Of which,
for the accommodation of ladies. several
rough wooden benches were strung out. each
sot closely against the wall Upon these sat
women Of all ages. in all Imaginable toilets,
With hands crossed dcmurey In front Of
them. but Intent upon watching the move
ments Of those upon the door
A number OF tallow candles stuck into wide.
wooden crosses and suspended at various
places from the ceiling impaired a dim and
almost religious light, that cast weird, pecu
liar glow upon the dusky occupants Of the
room. Upon the wall. which had received
fresh udornmont Of whtewash for the coca
sion. arranged Ia am odd. fantastic fashion,
were groups of vari hucd muslus and calcOos
.,....i. ,,,. .,,,i, ,,,u,.ic,to.5 looms hovs and
circles. and neatly pinned together by means
of green cedar bougha Those simple green
leaves and bright colorod musiins combined
in making noticoably pleasing effect, and
.-reatlv relieved tbo dpu dead white of the
walls
Toae.ist tbo pass.oe Of sound two soulful
musician. woro accorded scat hich above
Tina rr,vd on "A mammoth dry goods box.
81 hero they p.aveJ on IA violin and guitar
However tho dancers wero favored with ad.
d,t.onal sounds. very hollow. however. that
issued from the depfhs of the resonant dry
good. b,y and oeca.ionod bv four well soulcd
boofs keonin, ,.Da continual tattoo
I'm fno AVON, of .g.h ENJOYABLE occasions the
,f.,i.,,, ,...,,i. I,f New Nevicol observe very
litti, III, ~. ..,l distinction conservative ail
cla.sa- az ,..,,le ira ali phases of lie n.inels
together in tho ball room. The haughtiest
don sirp.ssinr himself Ina n sweeping suit of
broalcilth. goes around in may whirl hand
tn honJ ci,h "a mocca,ined peon and calico
enve.opod lass
Women OF AN accs and eirlsuot yet in their
teen, eagerly await request TO boo lad out
rnrn fho 0oor Vet uron tho face of those
NEGLECTED. and who wait unaskcd for hours
MON the hard wooden benches. have never .
noticed an expression that would denote
.envv
The Oh crono of sd accepts an invitation Us
rromrflv MS tho blushinr vonnr dausel OF lG +
SIN. n,rI'.Ds does NOT fsel the Same thrill Of
,leoslrs as her Younger sister. but she GER
tain.v bri-htons up on Glance nights aud
goes through the regulation moves TO the best .
of her ability which. considering Der adj
vanccd years. is very considerable. The prin-
cpal charm If any there be ia 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 or or prompting.
TIRE nEFREsHMENr ROOM
Such simplicity. however, does not prevail .
throughout the entire performance as olIs'
very undesirable ana hi-hiy con 81 uo.S ieat
urc strike one as being extremely vulgar u
not wholly baroaroua. For instance mae .
gallant during Intervals between sets "iiu''l
himself If no one else, 10y stalking up ana
down the floor leerug bis body % ana iro
with an dir of bravado. and bv pounding bis
f..f ,ir.ron.lv uDon the boards maIen harsh.
,...,r.l.,+ ,,-is. with tho clqsbirr Of two
80 ,,,...,. ,.,. ,,.l.r. i,,,.ti.l
l'''
d e'."'i "ooD
All'lHrl l'uln Nlaiii 'ti" "Ii" NNN' 's''i'tt'f
hefce LOOKING, swung lNel'9 s"aH5 t"'