The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-08
A MEXICAN DINNER.
Equal to the Best in italian or French
Restaurants.

Our dinner was astonishingly good.
just think of meal in that semi bar
barous place down in the hot lands of
Mexico equal to the best to be had in
the Italian or French restaurants that
stand high in the favor of artists and
other bohemians in New York; There
were nine bountiful courses, served in
excellent style, at total cost of three
reales, or thirty-seven and half cents
in Mexican money, hardly more than
twenty-five cents American, with ex-
change reckoned as it was then. The
watermelon served at dessert was the
most delicious | had ever tasted-a
deep red pulp of firm texture and
mealy crispness that almost melted in
the mouth. The melons in this region
are raised on the sandy beds of the
streams in the dry season, where they
mature quickly in the intense heat.
For drink there was pulque from Apam
on the table-land, brought by railway
train to the nearest station, and thence
hauled by teams across country.
This fonda was, of course, patron
lied by the "quality"-the visitors
from the neighboring great estates,
city people who had come over from
Jonacatepec, and ra7acheroS with their
families. These latter, like farmer
folk the world over, l believe, were
undemonstrative and chary of speech,
exchanging but few words as they sat
at table, awkwardly handling their
knives and forks, and evidently awed
by the unaccustomed magniticence of
their repast. Don Ernesto had entered
into a little friendly chatting with
Maria, a proceeding upon which
good rG7acherG, who sat opposite with
her husband, looked with evident dis
approval.
"DrunkI" she was heard to remark
to her husband, under her breath.
"Yes," he responded, with confirm
atory glance.
Poor young fellow, to be so harshly
misjudged for his metropolitan man
ners, when his delicate health made
him total abstainer!
Jovita, one of the mattresses, became
a great favorite with US all She was
a girl of about fifteen, slight, with
regular, delicately chiselled features,
and glossy dark hair falling in two
long braids-a typesof lovely rural in
nocence. There was an exquisite shy
grace in her movements.
Take her photograph" suggested
Don Celso, and the proposition was
heartily seconded by all hands But
even here the function of hand-cam-
era appeared to be known, and Jovita
took sudden alarm.
"No, no." she appealed. Her mead
dropped, pretty fingers went shyly to
her mouth, flush stole over her
brown cheeks, and she stood there with
face averted, a picture of maidenly
shame. She was now on her guard,
and ever glanced apprehensively to-
wards US. Every time she saw the in
strument aimed in her direction she
would turn her face quickly away. 1t
was too shadowy in the fonda for a
good snapshot, and SO really did not
lose anything. But when we rose. to
leave, Jovita was standing by the
range, well out in the light, and await
ing an order. She had seen US start,
and deemed herself in safety. She
was looking the other way, was with
in few feet, and my camera was
ready.
"Adios, Jovita!" I said
She turned my way unthinkingly.
Click went the shutter, and I had her.
A shout of merriment from my com
panions greeted the success of nv
stratagem, and the expression of dis
may on Jovita's face gave way to a
ripping little smile, as if to saw that
now it was done, it was no great harm.
after all.-SylUester Barter, IN Harper's
Magazine.