Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-06-10
A MEXICAN DINNER.
A Very Good Meal and Pretty Waiter
Girl.

Girl.
Our dinner was astonishingly good,
Just think of meal in that scmi-bar-
barous place down in the hot lands of
Mexico equal to the best to be had in
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, patronized
by the quality visitors from the
neighboring great estates, city people
who had come over from Jonacatcpec,
and ranchcros, with their families.
These latter, like farmer-folls the world
over, | believe, were undemonstrativc
and chary of speech, exchanging but
few words as they sat at table, awk-
wardly handling their knives and forks,
and evidently awed by the unaccus-
toned magnifcence of their repast Don
Ernesto had entered into little friend
ly chatting with Maria, proceeding
upon which good ranchcra, who sat
| opposite with her husband, looked with
evident disapproval.
"Drunll!' she was heard to remark to
her husband, under her breath
Yes" he responded, with a confrma,
tory glance
Poor young fellow, to be so harshly
misjudgcd for his metropolitan man.
ners, when his delicate health made
him total abstainer!
Jovita, one of the mattresses, became
a great favoritc with us all. She was @
girl of about fifteen slight, with regu.
lar, dclicately chiseled features, and
glossy dark hair falling in two long
braids--a type of lovely rural innocence
There was an exquisite shy grace in hel
movements.
Take her photograph" suggested
Don Celso, and the proposition was
heartily seconded by all hands. But
even here the function of hand-camers
appeared to be known, and Jovita tool
sudden alarm.
"No, no." she appealed. Her heat
dropped, pretty fingers went shyly tC
her mouth, a flush stole over her brown
checks, and she stood there with face
averted, picture of maidenly shame
She was now on her guard, and ever
glanced apprehensively at us. Every
time she saw the instrument aimed il
her direction she would turn her face
quickly away. 1t was too shadowy in
the to da for good snapshot, and Sc
really did not lose anything. Bu
when we rose to leave, Jovita wa:
standing by the range, we'll out in thu
light, and awaiting an order. She haC
seen MS start, and deemed herself il
safety She was looking the other way
| was within few feet, and my Gamer,
was ready.
"Adios, Jovita." said.
She turned my way unthinkingly
Click went the shutter, and had her
A shout of merriment from my com
panions greeted the success of my STRAIT
agem, and the expression of dismay ol
Jovita's face gave way to ripping lii
tie smile, as if to say that now it wa
done, it was no great harm, after ALL
Sylvester Baxter, in IIarpcrs Magazine