The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-02-11

The question uppermost in my mind
was, what should wear? / had with
me a new dress suit. hunting outfit
and tennis costume of dazzling bril-
liancy. II was almost forgohe conclu-
sion that woud paralyze the Castilians
with swallow-taiied coat, when my
friend entered and insisted on my going
dressed. or rather undressed, as ! was,
He had never seen anything In Castillo
that would take so well as those silk
pajamas. and am forced to admit they
did speak for themselves. The ladies', he
informed me. would wear little more.
and as for the men-well, they dressed
as the fancy struck them. Despite his
earnest entreaties, I compromised on a
flannel shirt, a pair OF white duck trou-
sers and a blazer in which all the colors
OF the spectrum blended harmoniousy.
Thus rugged for the fandango. my friend
and !, preceded by few ragged soldiers
and followed by a noisy crowd OF naked
children, sauntered through the single
street OF the village.
The hall-an old bar-room, the floor OF
which had been neatly swept and sanded.
was moored on four piles over the river,
where the cooling trade wind might tenn
per the heat OF the dance. No one had
yet arrived. so we stood at the counter
drinking tafia as the soldiers fixed their
bayonets.
you see. we never enjoy feast In
Castillo without the military" said the
commandante, who had Joined us, as his
men began to group themselves about
the room. ut would not be safe" he
continued, for the Costa Rlcans might
attack US at any moment and then when
either the men or women get too full OF
tafia, nothing but q bayonet can bring
them to their senses,
With this cheering prospect in view for
an evenings entertainment. stood near
an open window and watched the crowd
'Adios Senior Comandante: adlos, cab
allero." was the musical greeting soft,
whispered from lips that needed no rouge
TO make them blush the traditional hu
OF the peach The women were gym
phonles In black, yellow and brown; an
their costumes. II such they might b,
called, were maryeis OF brillint colors |
a low cut bodice or chemise, made on
OF kind OF mosquito net cloth, throug
which glistened their dark skins. loos.
lifting skirt Of some conspicuous hue
a red sash. and few scarlet passlo
flowers completed their ball attire. TIL
men seemed TO care less about their per
sonal appearance, II the fact that the
wore less Is any criterion. Some saun
tered in with shoes, some without. The.
all wore the native uniform, however,:
towel around the head Now and then
pair OF modern check trousers almos
made me feel the bleak winds that knew
must then be sweeping UP the Bowery
AS the hall gradually filled UP. the guest
meandered from one end I,
he other. the counter forming a nucleus
Iround which gathered the elite OF Cas-
iIIo
Three unseen musicians now began to
make the night hideous. their instruments
{ torture being a bass drum. fife and
wire-ntrung guitar, from which issued
opndS lilge chorus OF mosquitoes Each
allant seized a female. without saying
much as NY yoir n.lse aui O
ew antelope hounds across the floor 81
'ense yolunies Of smoke mingled with :,
louds Of sand. soon filled the air The I
voices grew louder. and cllnlking glasses y
linost drowned the strains OF the dance. d
til the revelry continued. for the night il
'as vet young. The dancers seemed to
re. Not 30 the musicians. They were y
aid to play. and play they must. At the =
ad OF fifteen minutes became restless. el
half hour passed. an hour. and stIll q,
le music neither ceased nor changed.
y soon as my friend had left the room, y
tn the belle Of the ball on his arm. X
Io commandnnte followed. with another
Iunlly pretty young glri. Whenever It =
oked as though the whole affair was
ling to degenerate into free fight, the Il
dIers soon brought the unruly dancers \
order BY striking the butts Of their n
usiSels on the floor. y
clad OF the opportunity to be alone,
andored over to a window near the an
,er. Az ] stood there and contrasted bo
4 strange scene before me with the last tel
Iarify Hall al the Metropolitan Opera All
,nae. rum Inflated Indian walked up gr
4 afgoctionntely put his arm through ui,' ,io
ne. Very dear and respected friend" mi
began. ''why no dancer have pretty y
Ter here. and she want you dance with Any Any
+. Give me four medios twenty cents) nc
4 she 10 your lady" "a sa'
promptly declined thIs generous offer So
! moved across the room. The fellow Co
4 Followed. however. insisting on my -
.lne L drink Of toila with him TO show !
rs was no hard feeling Finding him
, again refused. he went away. II was
ting lA,e. bnl the musicians were still d
ming their money. The band had
"a or,g once during the evening, and .
n has, long enough 70 gather strength 4
fresh attack and obtain an ample y
.'.,.., 4,4e ,IFians eiftuoe0 could |.
----- = - -. 4. .l...-.a. !.