The Portland daily press., 1892-06-07
IN THE MEXICAN HOT COUNTRY.

in F1E MEHtCAN HOT COUNTRY.
An Incident of O Dinner in Mexico Whore
the Fame of the Camera Was Known.
Our dinner was astonishingly good.
just think of q meal in that scmibar-
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
bohenlians in New York! There were
nine bountiful courses, served in excel
lent style, at total cost of three reales,
Or 371s cents in Mexican money, hardly
more than twenty-five cents American,
with exchange 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 tableland, brought by railway train
to the nearest station and thence hauled
py Teams across country.
This fonda was, Of course, patronized
by the ''quality"-the visitors from the
neighboring great estates, city people
who had come over from Jonacatepec,
and rancheros 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
megnifcence of their repast. Don Err
nesto had entered into little friendly
chatting with Maria, proceeding upon
which good ranchera, who sat opposite
with her husband, looked with evident
disapproval.
''Drunl1r' she was heard to remark to
her husband under her breath.
eyes," he responded, with confrma-
tory 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
great favorite with us all. She was
a girl of about fifteen, slight, with regu-
lar, delicately chiseled features and
glossy dark hair falling in two long
braids-a type of lovely rural inno-
cence. There was an exquisite shy
grace in her movements.
'sTake her photograph" suggested
Celso, and the proposition was heartily
seconded by all hands. But even here
the function of a hand camera appeared
to be known, and Jovita took sudden
alarm.
.'No, no." she appealed. Her head
dropped, pretty fingers went shyly to her
mouth, a flush stole over her brown
cheeks, and she stood there with face
averted picture of maidenly shame.
She was now on her guard, and ever
glanced apprehensively toward Us. Ev-
cry time she saw the instrument aimed
in her direction she would turn her face
quickly away. 1t was too shadowy in
the fonda for good snap shot, and SO
really did not lose anything. But when
we rose to leave Jovita was standing BY
the range, we'll out in the light and
awaiting an order. She had seen us
start and deemed herself in safety. She
was looking the other way, was within
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 my STRAIT
agem, and the expression of dismay on
Jovitas face gave way to ripping lit
tie smile, as if to say that now it was
done, twas no great harm after ALL
Sylvester Baxter in Harper's.