The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-22
AT A BALL. IN NICARAGUA.
Partners for the Dance Sold at 90
Cnrta


Partners for the Dance Sold at 90
Cents Each.
W. Nephe,o King, Jr., in Hdrper's Weekly.
The question uppermost in my mind was,
what should wesrS had with me a new dress
suit, a hunting outfit and tennis costume Of
dazzling briaucv II was almost a foregone
conclusion that 1 would paralyze the Castillians
with a swallow tailed coat, when my friend en-
tered and insisted upon my going dressed, or
rather undressed, az was. He had never seen
anything in Castillo that would take so well as
those new silk pajamas, and an forced to ad-
init that they did speak for themselves. The
ladies, he informed me, would wear very little
more, and as for the men-well, they dressed as
the fancy struck them. Despite mis- earnest
entreaties, l compromised on flannel shirt, "a
pair of white duck trousers, and a blazer In
which all the colors OF the spectrum blended
harmouiously Thus rugged for the fandango
my friend and /, preceded by few ragged sol
diers, and followed by noisy crowd OF naked
children, sauntered through the single street of
the village
The hall-an old barroom, the floor of which
had been swept and neatly sanded-was moored
on four piles over the river, where the coolin x
trade wind might temper the heat of the dance.
No one had yet arrived, so we stood at the
bayonets.
"You see. we never enjoy feast in Castillo
without the military" said the comandante,
who had Joined US, as his men began to group
safe" he continued, "for the Costa Ricans
might attack us at any moment; and then when
either the men or women get too full Of tafla,
nothing but bsyonet can oring them 20 their
senses"
With this cheering prospect in view for an
evenings entertainment, stood near an open
window and watched the motley crowd
"Ados, Senior Commentaries; adois, cahal-
lero," was the musical greeting softly whispered
from lips that needed no rouge TO make them
blush the traditional hue Of the peach. Tho
women were symphonies in black yellow and
brown; and their costumes, II such they might
be called, were marvels of brilliant colors. A
low-cut bodice or chemise, made out Of a kind
of mosquito net cloth, through which glisten d
their dark skins. loose-fitting skirt Of some
conspicuous hue. red sash. and few scarlet
passion flowers completed their ball attire The
men seemed to care less about their personal
appearance, il the fact that they wore less is
any criterion. Some sauntered In with shoes,
some without. They all wore the native cos
tune however, a towel around the head, Now
and then a pair of modern check trousers al
most made me feel the bleak winds that knew
must be then sweeping up the Bowery. AS the
hall gradually filled up, the guests aimlessy
meandered from one end to the other the
counter forming a nucleus around which gath
cred the elite of Castillo.
I hree unseen musicians now began to make
the night bideous, their instruments OF torture
being bass drum, fife and wire strung
guitar, rem which issued sounds like a chorus
of mosquitoes. Each gallant seized q female,
and made few antelope bounds across the
floor. Dense volun es Of tobacco smoke. min
gled with clouds OF sand, soon filed the air
The voices grew louder, and clinking glasses al
mast drowned the strains of the dance. Still
the revelry continued, for the night was yet
young. The dancers seem to tire. Not so the
musicians. They We're paid to play, and play
they must. At the end OF fifteen minutes be
came restless. A half-hour passed, an hour.
and still the music neither ceased nor changed.
AS soon as my friend had left the room, with
k.,I
followed with another equally pretty young
girl. Whenever il looked as though the whole
affair was going to degenerate into free fight,
the soldiers soon brought the unruly dancers to
order by striking the butts OF their muskets on
the floor.
Glad of the opportunity to be alone wan
dered over TO e window near the river. AS
stood there and contrasted the strange scene be-
fore me with the last CHARITY ball' At the
Metropolitan opera house. rum-infated In
dian walked up and effectonatsiy put his arm
through mine. very dear and respected
friend" he began, why no dancer | have
pretty sister here, aud she want you dance with
her. Give me medios go cents) and she is your
lady"
promptly declined this generous offer and
moved across the room The fellow still fol-
lowed however, insisting upon my taking a
drink of tafia with him TO show there Was n o
lard feeling. Finding himself again refused
be went away. IL was getting late, but the
musicians we're still earning their money The
band hal rested only once during the evening,
aud then Just long enough to gain strength for
q fresh attack and obtain an ample supply of
rum The drum virtuoso could scarcely stand I;
ia fact found IL difficult to see the head of his
instrument. The dancers became more excited,
likewise the musicians. Wild and fantastic
gtra~s echoed Throughout the hall But the
climax was reached when the manipulation of
the bass drum missed his aim and struck the
ffe player a vicious blow on the head that
almost stunned him. Now the music ceased
and free fight ens1ed, the friends Of each
championing their man.
Discretion taught me that IL was time to re-
tire; but Just az I reached the door, the drunken
fellow who had previously annoyed me stood
there with q savage glare in his dark eyes
CHANGING at my blazer, be said. In an Insulting
tone. Every dear and respected friend, l like
much your fancy coat. What you will sell 20
me forf"
Informed him that my coat was not for sale
and started 20 move away. He was determined
to get into a fight however. and with this end
in view grabbed at my right arm, tearing away
part Of the sleeve. For the first time since my
arrival ia Nicaragua was without a revolver,
and at a time when most needed one. There
was nothing in sight but a small stool. which I
quickly caught by the feet and swung aloft. As
soon as the Indian saw this, he reached down
aud drew from his sa IA n long machete Be
fore he could raise has arm, however. my friend
aud the comandanfe, who had Just entered.
seized the fellow anu turned him over 10 the
soldiers.
Thus ended memorable fandango that shall
ever 10 recalled as hear the san Juan break
ing over the rapids and look upon the green
bills OF Castillo, peaceful home Of the simple.
minded Indians.
Coughs and Hoarseness. The irritation
which Induces coughing immediately relieved
by use OF "Brot1R's Bronchfdi 7Yoehes" Sold