The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-15
LEONORA AND T0MALIS;
THE ROMANCE or MEXICAN CAN Al
BY JOHN &. COHEN.

To1nals. Tomalis. Tomalis
For n moment | closed my eyes and had TO
think where was. "reminiscences and men,
Dries of q day surgcd over my mind like
nill-race. 1t was day Of days in my life.
Fraucht with pleasure, yes, great deal Of
pleasure. and excitement, too, more than Is
usually allotted by the divine Creator to one
in a single rising and going down Of the sun.
And the shouting Of his wares by that
street vendor, here in Atlanta brought it all
back TO me.
II has been two years, and POGO mas o
renas " more than two months, as the lnhab-
itants Of old Mexico. where the scene Of this
incident is laid. would say. since ] was sitting
on tall stool in the auditors Office OF the
Mexican National railroad. ~
The agony of trying 20 add up "unaddable'
figures. the fact that hadn't heard from one
in the states in whom j took an absorbing
interest and the possibility Of my having 70
remain in that land Of cactus, pulque and
rrcasors for long time did not contriye to
pot me in a humor Of great benisnity.
When the davis work was finished shut up
with a slam the big book of red and blue cross
Gne- and small figures The picturesque City
of Mexico with its wealth of things antique
and It's dearth of things beautiful. had grown
tlresOmc and was suffering from malady
that has been called everything under the
sun and which l. for a lack of something
more applicable. will call "home-sickncss.'
The inspiring strains of the famous Mexican
band playing the beautiful ans OF the Kepub-
lie on the ZOcalO, in front OF the Nations
Palace. as ! wandered along 10 seek the seclu-
sion Of my hotel, did not have the effect OF
taking the dull, cold, sorrowiul edge OF my
spirits.
No one had written me. OF that fact was
pOsitivcy certain For didn't all of my cor
respondents send my letters to the Office of
the railroad? | didn't know anybody IN
Mexico and didn't want to. At least, that's
what said TO myself.
But | was mistaken There was letter. 1t
was sent from somewhere in the city, too.
But then didn't thrill. | had FAINT sus-
picion that it WAS bill. ] had bought some
clothes in the city. and. though they had not
been sent to me, | suspected that hls tailor
ship, with the usual suspicion that MeAlcans
have of 'gringOes." had sent the bill first.
] opened II without excitement, and my
only sensation in doing SO was one OF extreme
loathng for the poor innocent tailor.
For he was innocent
The missivc was an invitation Of Mexican
gentleman TO visit his house and meet ms
family.
Senior Don Jose Correa little thought what
an amount Of pleasure his note of invitation
had given me- That night | could hardly
sleep IN anticipation of the JOY galore was TO
experience on the following evening.
Visions Of beautiful. black-eyed sirens. with
hair rycn-hkc in color, and falling IN grace
full folds over the shapcy shoulder, of MeXi-
can girls. fitted through my mind. All during
the night / gave vent TO little eva ulatory eN-
preSsiOus of enthusiasm. which brought down
upon me the imprecaiions of my sleepy
headed roommate (who hadn't been invited.
Nv happiness was unallOyed.
For was / not to penetrate the seemingly
impossible scclusion of a Mexican home, 10
which seldom Mexlcans are admitted, and
only once in thousand times Americans are
allowed entrance;
The time finally came for me 10 present my
self must confess that the iirst feelings |
had experienced had worn of and spirit OF
tlmidity came over me. Not that / didu't
want to go. Oh. no. but had mover been
into Mexican home and knew nothing OF
the social customs Of the country. and my
state of mind was not one Of extreme tram
guilty.
Calling the roll Of my courage found ;hat
ii was all there and catching hold Of tho
long. brass knOcker smacked u against the
tremendous big door with I'll my strength,
just 20 keep up that aforesaid courage.
In few moments mO1O appeared. and
telling me In Spanish 90 follow him, | pro-
ceeded 10 tramp through the patio and mp the
stone stars. In few moments we reached
the door Of the parlor.
He opened it and ushcred me in.
Coming from the poorly int patio. at first
was rather blinded by the light But almost
immediately became accustomed 10 IT, and
while the servant was gone had a chance TO
compose myself and take = look around me.
All remember of the room was that II WAS
illuminated by. Il may have been hundreds IL
seemed 10 me thousands, of wax candles.
They dinuseC different colorcd lights through
: shades OF paper and glass over the pnhi,h
trescoed walls and low, brasS-legged furniture
poducing weird Yet pleasing effect
On the floors rugs inuumclabe we-c 20 be
seen, and over an upught piano, which
though beautiful TO ne now, then looked
gawky and on, of place, was plaster image
OF the crucliiNOu
Senior Correa was darksknncd hand
some-looking man. He looked--nOt forcbod-
ing-yet there WAS an air of GOODNESS ont of
MS small, black eyes Surmounted with the
heavy, bushy Spanish eyebrows. that made
one keep his distance.
As he entered lac grasped me cordially by
The hand aud SAID, "Senor. "a Ia casa de
U'd' SIR this Is your homel. the usual Span
Isl phrase. which means exactly tho opposite
OF lis translation.
By his slde was his sister. Senorita Silvia
Correa a tail, striking looking woman.
TOOK her 10 be twenty-five: she NAV have
- a
any how.
moment later his daughter entered. Her
name was Leonora She was sixteen. Her
h8u,e wl- the rounded perfection OF woman
hOoA hcl eyes were as black as the feathers
on heafso plume, and her skin was farer
ana softer looEing than the first white Gro
che'ted sack loving mother makes Tor her
young infant
As she was introduced 10 me She simply
hfted her soul stirring eyes. and walked for
ward to shake my hand. She did il awkward.
beautiful '
forgot TO mention that there was son.
Juan by name. lie did not cut very large
figure IN my thoughts though he should have
zone 80, iol 1t was through him met his FAM
lily having been introduced TO him az The
American legation.
He was like all other Of the 'lagartiiasp
(dudes), well dressed and senseless.
gsoon knew tho Correas very well. Leonors