The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-15

IN THE MEXICAN HOT COUNTRY.

An Incident of a Dinner in Mexico Where
the Fame OF the Camera Was Known
Our dinner was astonishirgiy good.
Just think of a meal IN that semibar
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 excel
lent style, at a total cost Of three reales,
or 371z 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 E2ost delicious / had ever tasted
deep red pulp of firm texture and
nealy 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
by teams across country.
This fonda was, of course, patronized
by the ''quality"--the visitors from the
nelghboring great estates, city people
who had come over from Jonacatepec,
and rancheros with their families.
These latter, like farmer folk the world
over, 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
magniicence Of their repast. Don Err
nesto had entered into a little friendly
chatting with Maria, proceeding upon
which good ranchera, who sat opposite
with her husband, looked with evident
disapproval
Drunk she was heard to remark to
her husband under her breath.
Yes, he responded, with a confrna-
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
girl of about fifteen, slight, with regu-
lar, dehcately chiseled features and
glossy dark hair falling in two long
braids-a type Of lovely rural limo
cence. There was an exquisite shy
grace in her movements.
Take 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, q 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 l |
really did not lose anything. But when |
we rose to leave Jovita was standing BY /
the range, well out in the light and |
awaiting an order. She had seen US /
start and deemed herself in safety. She /
was looking the other way, l was within |
few feet and my camera was ready. |
''Adios, Jovita!'' l said.
She turned my way unthinkingly.
Click went the shutter, and l had her.
A shout of merriment from my COM
panions greeted the success of my STRAIT /
agem, and the expression of disrnay on
Jovita's face gave way to a ripping lit /
tie smile, as if TO say that now it was
done, it was no great harm after all
Sylvester Baxter in Harper's.