The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-01-06
A Mexican Reception.

McHiSan NeCeptlOn.
SANITARIUd, BATTLE CREEK. /, 3, '93.
DR.. and Mrs. Kellogg attended the recent
meeting of the American Public Health AS
sociation which was held in the City of
Mexico, and on their return brought with
them large collection of curios, photo
graphs, etc, and additionally, two bright
and interesting Mexican children, q brother
and sister, aged respectively seven and five
years, whom they will educate. One even
ing last week Dr.. and Mrs. Keloggtendered
the Sanitarium guests Mexican reception
which was very novel affair and greatly
appreciated. The chairs were arranged in
straight row entirely around the parlor and
reception room, us is the Mexican fashion,
and the tables we're covered with crOcheted
spreads and tides, that kind of handWOrk
being very common. Some mats, purses,
etc, were crocheted ont of the fibre from
the century plant. After the guests had
been formally presented, they began a tour
Of inspection of the curious and interesting
objects and scenes which the room present
ed. In one corner stood the Mexican fruit
vendor. native of that country, about six
teen years old, who came to this place some
three months ago for an English education.
He wore sandals and had gay Zerape, a
coarse blanket, for an outer garment and
sombrero on his head, and suspended by a
strap over his neck was a tray containing
models of twenty different kinds OF Mexican
fruit. On one of the mantels and on the top
of the piano were arranged twenty-five or
thirty models Of street scenes including the
water carrier, pulque gathtrer, street
vendors, ETC., etc. An improvised Mexican
shrine, the like of which is found in every
household, with its cruciGX and picture OF
patron saint, occupied central position.
The altar lamp was burning and stool
placed conveniently for the worshpers TO
knee.
But the making OF tortillas attracted the
most attention. In that warm climate the
poor do much OF their domestic work on the
street, so here under an awning near q
pretty palm, were the two little Mexican
children, dressed in native costume, hard at
work during the entire evening making this,
their daily bread. The little girl knelt at
the metdte, q sort of crude stone mill by
means of which she ground corn which had
been previously soaked and hulled, as is
their custom. When the doughy meal was
fine enough she deftly shaped it into little
| flat cakes. throwing them from hand to hand,
and then she placed them OH griddle over
little charcoal hand stove to bake. 1t
was the duty of the little boy to fan the fire
constantly to keep it from going out. Near
by, a Mexican woman was engaged in the
same occupation. Il am afraid she was not
genuine, though she acted her part so well
that a number asked her how long she had
been i'm this country and If she could speak
English) Her tortillas were baked on an
exact model of the ordinary brick charcoal
fireplace, only in this the bricks were laid
up loose instead of being cemented with
mortar. Her kitchen wall was Ornamented
with the usual semi-circle ofpottery utensils
and her ''baby" was asleep on the floor at
her side. Besides the t0rtillas, various
other prepared foods were exhibited, as the
| tamales, made of corn, ground, dried. sfted,
mixed with fruit and then steamed in corn
husks. and the atone, kind of Cruel or soup
A bazaar table held several varieties Of
vegetables, the garlic, pumpkin seeds. which
they roast and eat, two or three kinds of
beans and also of peppers, including the
round, red berry-lke peppers from the pep
per tree. Then there were corn huske in
which to steam the tamales, brooms, bas-
kets, toilet articles, etc.
On tables about the parlor were arranged
fine and coarse specimens OF Mexican pot
terry, several Aztec lois and copies Of Aztec
vases, onyx i'm plain pieces and others
daintily carved and highly polished, and a
large collection of photographs. One of the
most curious articles exhibited was the
primitive needle and thread, which consisted
of the point of the century plant to which
was attached some of the long fbres from
the same plant Mention must be made of
pig skin, designed to hold pulque (their
common fermented liquor which swung to
and fro empty. Pulque is made from the
sap of the century plant. The heart of the
plant is cut out and the exuding sap sucked
into gourd and allowed to ferment A
plant will live about six months after 1t is
tapped for this purpose.
Very truly yours,
HELEN l.. MANNING.