Evening journal., 1893-05-29
A SPANISH FANDANGO
A DANCE WHICH ONCE USED TO
AROUSE GREAT ENTHUSIASM.

You will find in the big dictionaries that
the word fandango is described as pecu-
liar kind Of Spanish dance in three-four
time, supposed TO be Of Moorish origin.
This is n true definition, but it does not de-
fine the fandango Of the Pacific coast. Here
it means big dance to which anybody is
welcome, and at which everybody is expect
ed make a fool Of himself generally In
the olden days It meant general, confused
mingling of men and women, revolvers,
gaming tables, boots and spurs SOFT me-
lodious music, in curious contrast to the
Surroundings, and liquor first, last and all
the time.
In the days of forty-nine this quaint old
mission town was filed with adventurers
from all over the globe, and whenever a
fandango took place they went as n matter
Of course. Everybody dressed extravagant-
ly. Senoritas who at other times dressed
as though they had barely enough money
to live on wore elaborate silks and satins
and were otherwise decorated in a costly
manner. The men also spent good deal
of money on their clothes. The usual swell
Mexican costume consisted Of trousers Of
black velvet, laced on the outer seams from
the hips down, little jingling bell buttons
being interspersed at intervals Of about an
inch. The jacket was Of black or blue,
braided with gold. There was n red fam
ing sash around the waist, patent leather
shoes, the usual red Vicuna hat, revolvers
incased in patent leather scabbards, and
perhaps there were silver spurs.
The fandango was held In q long, low
adobe house fronting the plaza. It had one
grand room for the dance fanked by two
h., L., q
the house Two large wings extended to
the rear, containing rooms usually used as
dressing rooms.
The writer remembers distinctly the first
fandango he attended in this adobe house.
It was some 10 years ago. From the de-
scriptions Of the affair he had heard care
lessly let drop by various persons in the
town he concluded to carry two more than
the usual number of revolvers. and to wear
in addition to his stiletto a long sword.
This was incased in a patent leather scab-
bard, giving the wearer a fine martial ap-
pearance.
AS the writer on the night of the fan
dango approached the adobe house a noise
like that Of an earthquake met his ear. It
was made by the guests inside getting
ready for the entertainment. They were
clapping their hands and doing other
things which would tend to cheer up the
spirits Of any who might feel out of sorts
in front was a crowd of seedy Indians, hall
breed Mexicans and those other aimless
creatures who always turn up and hang
around whenever there is a big show going
on.
Among the dancers were gaudily dressed
rancheros and gamblers of the respectable
and fashionable type, who were regarded as
great men by those who made their money
in honest callings. The "tin horn" people
were on hand also. There were merchants
store clerks, town and county officials, cat
tie dealers, naval officers in full uniform
and a large number of other persons who
were engaged in some reputable pursuit.
There were very few American women o.
the better class in the neighborhood i1
those days, and none Of them ever visited 3
fandango. One of the numerous sources o.
profit of the fandango were the gambling
games played in the open court. The mos
popular game was Mexican monte. Beside.
this, there were a dozen others in full BIAS
roulette, lasquinette. chusa, 2l and faro
The last was the most general.
Everybody took a turn at it some timl
during the night. Those tables were mos
frequented at which women presided. Thel
were fiashily dressed and smoked cigarettes
One of them wore half concealed stilett,
at her waist. She looked entirely self pos
| sessed, and as it turned out afterward wa
perfectly able to take care of herself.
While the fandango was at its height, tn
excited dancers evidently trying to shal
the old house down, and the gamekeeper
calling out first in Spanish then in Eng
lish the results of various plays, party o
half dozen particularly tough customer
entered the place. They were led by on
Bill Newman, a gentleman noted for hi
dislike of well ordered society and the mum
Der Of men he had killed. This crowd ha,
for its sole object the raising of n row.
was unusual for a fandango to get through
without some shooting OF other disturb
ance, and Bill Newman and his friend
were there on this occasion TO supply it.
When the party reached the spot wher
! the gambling was going on, Newman CAV
the signal for a raid on the gold that wa
being freely displayed ON the tables b.
| turning out one of the lights Then b
! quietly rolled under the monte table a
| which the fair senorita with the cigarit
and dagger was dealing. Each of the res
| of the gang fired at a lamp, and soon tn
shooting became general. Newman upse
the table, and his pals began raking in tn
gold which now lay strewn about the fool
The woman shouted in Spanish, and in
moment a dozen caballeros had surrounde
the table With a well directed thrust G
her dagger she laid Newman at her feet
Two others were shot and killed, and tn
other three were badly wounded The raj
had not been quick enough and had ende
in dismal failGre.
Meanwhile the Indians and hangers on o
the outside began firing of their revolver
in an ecstacy OF glee. They had heard tn
noise on the inside and knew that the usus
shooting melee was on. They were addin
their mite to the general jollity Of the occl
sion.
The sala was soon cleared, the guests b.
ing evidently accustomed TO such hast
exits. After the smoke had lifted and som
light been turned on. the host, charmin
native Californian. who had that faculty eI
yiable in a landlord of making everybod
feel at home, announced with some sho'
OF regret that lowing TO a little disturbanC
the fandango had been brought to an en-
for that night, but that another more gran
and more enjoyable would be given on th
following evening Los Angeles Co
New York World.