Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-30

hopeless of anything better In this world,
nobody knows how many miles those bare
feet have trotted. Most Of the llamas are
laden with snow-ice from the upper Andes,
which is in great demand at the saloons
and restaurants. The< ice is tied up In
blankets, and although there is nothing
between the chilly bundle and the back of
the animal but folded sheepskin, we
notice that they seem more uncomfortable
without the accustomed burden than with
it. Indians abound this morning, if posi-
BILE, in greater number and variety of cos
tune than usual; and every one is driving
a heavily laden mule or llama; or carries
a load on his or her back. There goes one
staggering under load of planks; another
has four sacks on his back: another trots
off with big trunk that weighs him
nearly to the ground; and there is a
woman in total eclipse, so to speak, moth
ing but her bare feet and ankles being
visible beneath the bundle of alfalfa
heapei upon her head.
In strong contrast to the patient and
Woodworking Indians, who are imposed
upon by everybody and in every way, are
the Cholos, or half-breeds-a class nearly
as numerous, but very different in manner
and appearance, being noisy, saucy and in
dependent by no means desirable class
of citizens. OF course there are notable
exceptions; but. as rule, they lie, cheat,
steal like magples, and can never be de-
pended upon to carry cut bargain. Some
of the women are very handsome while
young, in a coarse way, but most OF them
are thoroughly bad. They are generally
short in stature, inclined to stoutness, with
bold, black eyes, perfect teeth and heavy
hair. All are excessively fond of bright
colors, and possess the secret Of dyeing
them. Their dress is peculiar. Here
comes one who is fair sample, out for a
paseo, or promenade. She wears such a
number of skirts as to give them bell
shaped outline, as though worn over a
hoop. The outer one is canton flannel,
made woolly side out. gorgeous yellow of
indescribable tint, between salmon and
orange. Below it the white lace of the
next skirt hangs down about an eighth of
a yard. All the skirts are made short
enough to show an inch or two of bare
brown leg (she wears no hose above the
tops of her white kid boots. She always
wears two shawls-never by any chance,
whatever the weather, appearing in one
only. The lower one, delicate rose pink,
is put on somehow so that the point comes
directly in front, like an apron, extending
nearly to the hem of her skirt; while the
outer shawl, royal purple with green
flowers in the border, has the point be-
hind, and is fastened together at the bosom
with cluster of silver pins, hitched to-
gether by chain. Her coarse black hair
hangs down her back in two braids, tied
together at the ends with two white
strings. Her enormously long earrings,
reaching almost to the shoulders, are set
with imitation pearls; and on her head is
iauntily perched white straw hat of the
s'sailor" shape, much too small, with a
blue ribbon tied around it.
Just behind her saunters another woman
Of the same class, but probably twenty
years older. Her hat is precisely the same
in shape and size as that OF her predeces-
sor; her earrings are hoops of filigree sill
yer, as large as the rim of trade dollar !;
her outer skirt is rose color, with some
wide hand embroidery in sprawling pat
tern hanging down below it. Her shawls
are respectively magenta and green, and
her extremely high-heeled boots are satin,
once white, but now much the worse for
wear and tear. Cholo dresses for balls and
fiesta occasions are very gay and often
costly The Zamacueca is their favorite
dance, and one can seldom pass a Chicha
shop without hearing the stunning of
guitars or mandolins within, and the
clatter OF heels in time to the "hi-diddle-
diddle" music of that national measure.
When Cholo girl marries her god
mother, who is usually lady of the upper
class for whom her mother or herself has
been a servant, pays for the first days
feasting and first nights ball. The groom's
father then feels called upon to furnish
entertainment for the next twenty -four
hours, followed by the brides father for
the third day and night, after which the
two mothers-in-law chip in together and
keep it up as long as their means will al
low, thus making sure of food and fun for
at least week.
Hark Strange music is heard at a
distance, the most weird and gruesome
that can be imagined, coming nearer and
nearer. We recognize it as that which
accompanies the Holy Host procession on
It's way to administer the last sacrament
to some dying person. Presently the
tinkling of bell is heard, and everyone
drops on his knees, wherever he may be
or what doing. In the streets, the shops,
the horse-cars, the balconies, everybody
is kneeling-the red-trousered soldiers in
front of the Executive mansion, ladies on
their way to church, school children, men
of business, the sauciest Cholo and most
ignorant Indian, all with reverent mien
and uncovered heads. Around the corner
comes wonderful pageant, enveloped in
clouds of incense, headed by a boy ringing
bell, and followed by military band
with brass instruments. In the center,
under splendid canopy of cloth and gold,
walks the Bisnop, attended by black
gowned priests, acolytes in scarlet and
lace, white-robed monks of San MERGED
and gray-cowled Franciscan friars. These
professions are matters of every day in all
South American cities, but for us they
possess singular fascination, and we are
willing to kneel with the multitude,
earnestly hoping that the mysterious
sacrament may carry consolation to some
poor soul in its last extremity, or at least
to those who have loved its earthly tene-
ment. FANNIE B. WARD.
DE SKEErER.
De skeeter am de slickest bird
Dat eber hab seen