The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-08
A MEXICAN DINNER.

An Astonishingly Good Meal OF Nine
Courses.
From Hdrpers Magazine.
Our dinner was astonishingly good. Just
think Of a meal in that semi rbarous 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 q total cost of three
reales or 3715 cents in Mexican money,
hardly more than IS cents American, with
exchange reckoned as 1t 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 the country.
The fonda was, Of course, patronized by
the ''quaIity"-the visitors from the neigh
boring great estates, city people who had
come over from Janacatpec. and rancheros
with their families. These latter, like
farmer-folk the world over. believe, were
updemonstrative and ohary of speech, ex.
changing but few words as they sat at the
table, awkwardly handling their knives and
forks. and evidently awed by the unaccus-
toned magnihcence OF their repast Don
Ernesto had entered into a little friendly
chatting with Maria. a proceeding upon
which good ranchero, who sat opposite
with her husband looked with evident dis>
approval.
"Drunk!" she was heard to remark TO her
husband, under her breath.
YES" he responded, with aconhrmatory
glance.
Poor young fellow, to be 80 harshly mis-
Judged for his metropolitan manners when
his delicate health made him a total abb
stainer.
Jovita, one Of the mattresses, became a
great favorite with us all. She was q girl
of about IS, slight, with regular. deli
cately chiseled features, and glossy dark
hair falling In two long bratds-a type Of
quisite shy grace in her movements.
Take her photograph" suggested Don
Celso, and the proposition was heartily sec
onded by all hands. But even here the
function of 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, a
picture Of maidenly shame. She was now
on her guard, and ever glanced apprehen-
sively toward us. Every time she saw the
instrument aimed In her direction she
would turn her face quickly away. It was
too shadowy in the fonda for a good snap-
shot, 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 awaiting an order. She had seen US
start and deemed herself in safety. She
was looking the other way, was within a
few feet, and my camera was ready.
"Aduis, JovitaI" said.
She turned my way unthinkingly. Click
went the shutter, and had her.
A shout of merriment from my compan-
ions greeted the success of my stratagem,
and the expression of dismay on Jovita's
face gave way to a ripping little smile, as
if to say that now it was done, 1t was no
great harm, after all.