The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-31
spirit lamp were leaping up all over the

spirit lamp were leaping up all over the
table.
Yes. this was Andalusia, the most fas-
cinating country of Europe, and though
midwinter, ii displayed its sun and sky in
all their usual splendor, a flaming gold
topaz set in a stainlessly transparent,
gloriousy ilumined vault Of sapphire.
The audience was wild with delight;
they jumped up, held out their arms to the
girl and tried TO grasp her, but she always
glided from them. Thep jubilated. they
sang, they screamed, they clapped, and
when at last Maria Raphaela grew tired,
instead of stepping off the table. six strong
arms lifted her to the ground.
Again short pause ensued. followed by
another invitation to dance, renewed sing
ing and knocking and this time both
sisters mounted the table. They went
through a regular pantomime, which for
its reality, its vlvacity and dramatic inter-
est, | have scarcely seen equaled on the
stage Maria Raphaela made love. which
Julia refused to accept. When the one
begged tenderly the other grew undecided
and kind, when the nrst then, perceiving
her advantage, became passionate, the lat
ter pouted and turned away. The one
tried TO grasp, the other to elude with o
light movement, the one tried to over
power, the other drew back in fright.
This wonderfully expressive play lasted
the two sisters fell into one another's arms
and jumped off hand-in-hand.
The general excitement had also affected
the mother of the two girls by this time,
for she began some steps on the floor. No
sooner was this noticed than she was
pressed from all sides for dance, amid
hearty laughter and applause, and in q
second she was lifted 10 the table. She
struggled, of course, and wished TO get
down, but il was all in vain, and she had
TO dance. She was somewhat shy at first,
but the longer she danced the more old
age vanished from her person and gave
place to youthful glamour. Those 10 sing.
rejoice and stamp most were her daugh-
tiers. They seemed to be quite wild with
Joy and pride that their mother could vie
with all the young girls in dancing the
fandango.
There is something irresistible in that
dance. 1t is said that one of the archblsh-
ops in Seville, not considering the wild,
unrestrained dance strictly proper for his
otherwise so deyout children, thought of
banishing it, and set up~a jury to decide
whether the fandango was a fit amuse-
ment for true Catholic. The jury con-
sisted of Il set of grave studious monks,
more or less prejudiced against the dances.
When, however, the best dancers of the
time in Seville performed before the rever-
end fathers, their faces soon lit up with
delight and desire, and finally, not able to
contain themselves longer, they jumped
up from their seats and took part in the
dance.
Who counts joyful hours! The hands
of the peasants clock had moved forward,
the sun sank lower and lower and vet we
minded it not. The guitarreros gave us
one long melody after the other from their
bewitched guitars, the men were hoarse
with singing, the women had swollen their
box7 do ola has Wis
tillas hung in shreds from the young girls
for, after every dance, the audience had
torn large pieces away and hidden them
in their breasts.