Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08

pink powder in her hair and cover her with
| perfumery.
| Sometimes the women combine to over
power some unfortunate man. whom they
carry bodily and plump into the tank, duck
| ing him repeatedly, and often holding him
under water beyond the point of safety.
1t should be mentioned that the carnival
customs differ greatly in. the various coun.
tries of South America, and even in the diff
ferent cities of Peru, those OF Lima, the
more refined capital. being less rude than
those of interior villages. In most places
little or no water is thrown, but perfumery,
flowers, fnely-cut tissue paper, colored pow
der and flour instead. 1 am writing par
ticularly Of the Arequipa carnival, "all OF
which saw and part of which I was. -
Under Uncle Sans Flag.
We invited to participate in the sport
in the house of the only United States
family resident in the city, and were warned
to come very early. Long before the regu-
lation hour for beginning we tucked our
gowns we'll under waterproof cloaks, donnsd
overshoes, wells, and hoisted umbrellas,
though the sun was shining brightly; yet,
in spite of precautions, we received more
than one compliment in the shape of a
shower bath, dIpper of -four or hail storm
of cascarones while running the gauntlet of
only half block.
Our friends house is very high, and stands
by itself, with no inner court and the bal
comics not attached to others; so that we
were safe from outside invasion after the
doors were securely barred. A fine balcony
extends around two sides, and this was par
TALLY screened with canvas awnings. afford
ing fine vantage ground from which to
observe proceedings without taking part in
hr1ch chnla af Ao1 hao
provided. 4 bathtub filled with rubv-colored
water. squirt gun for each member of the
party, and luncheon was spreac in the din
ing room for the consolation of those friends
who might later be made the victims OF our
moist attentions
Words fail to depict the tumultuous con-
fusion that reigned in Arequipa during those
afternoons. growing wilder and more furious
toward the close of the day.
The Wealthy Young Eng lishmen.
The young Englishmen, of whom there
are 20 or more in Arequipa, are known to be
the worst carnival fighters, not only on ac-
count of the energy and determination that
characterizes the race in contrast to the more
easy-going Latln-but because they have
plenty of money with which to purchase
unlimited cascarones. Hereaborts, as in
Mexico and other parts of Spanish Amer
lea, all Anglo-Saxons are designated by the
common name of Gringoes; ard whenever
came the cry-"Los Gringoes! Los Gringoes
vienenP'-the excitement increased hun
dred fold. They came tearing down the
street on the double-quick, as usual all to-
gether in body, and everything fled before
them. Again and again they stormed our
impregnable casa-in front, in the rear, on
both sides at once, trying strategy, surprise,
force, and failing in all; until, our own
ammunition" exhausted, a trusty messen-
ger was dispatched to admit each of the
dripping gentlemen who would give his
word of honor to leave all carnival play out
side.
On the eve before Ash Wednesday car
niyal was ended by the formal burial of the
spirit OF the season. A procession of hun
dreds of men on horseback, with bands play
ing and banners flying, proceeded to the
campo, or open Il elds beyond the city, carry
ing in the midst the stuffed efigy of fat,
jolly faced man, in the uniform of naval
officer, seated in a miniature fullrigged
ship. n great grave had been dug, and in
it they placed the figure with appropriate
ceremonies and volleys of musketry.
Everyb body's premises must be scrubbed
and painted and it will be a month before
the city assumes Its natural appearance.
FANNIE p. WARD.