The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-01-24
CURIOUS MEXICAN CUSTOMS.

\
| American Tourists Amused by Their
Dudes and Their Cock Fiehts-
Eastern visitors to this land of the
adobe see great many things that the
resident does not They are so familiar
to native eyes that we give them no
special attention. To the American
resident .Sonoratown" possesses no in
terest or curiosity-not even its dance
houses The tourist goes through the
crooked streets filed with rubbish: in
spects the tumble-dowu adobe houses;
and on Sundays attends service at the
chapel. believing that he has visited a
mission. But Los Angeles never was a
mission; and, consequently, never had
a mission church. Here he sees $50
noratown"-the native element in its
true and brightest colors, all wearing
dwcller and the millionaire.
The Mexican dude is another feature
also fXture-at the church door.
He is constructed on very different
plan from that of the American dude.
His pantaloons seem to have been
sewed upon him If he drops his cane,
some one else, not dude, must pick it
up for him. Sometimes he wears cor
sets, and is virtually in stocks. He
stands at the church door until the
ladies have passed in: then he crosses
over to the plaza and smokes villain
Gus cigarette.
Before the service is concluded he re-
sumes his position near the door. As
the senoritas are chaperoned, he must
content himself with flirting at long
range, but he is so trained in the art
that he can express more with his eyes
than an American dude can in an hours
conversation. His clothes are pecu-
liarly and wonderfully made The
pantaloons are usually of light color,
with broad-gauge buttons. How he
gets out of his trousers, or iato them,
is a mystery outside of dudedom. The
jacket is of dark brown material,
with the sleeves and collar embroidered.
He wears a scarlet necktie and
flaming red handkerchief, about half
OF which hangs from his jacket pocket.
And, above all, is his crown-shaped vi.
cuna hat, decorated with tassels, rib
bons or a wide red band. This is his
Sunday suit, and he is dude only for
one day. During the other six he is an
ordinary fellow.
1t is considered bad form to follow a
lady, except with the eyes. If dude
cannot attract the attention of a senor-
ita by one of his MASKING poses. he
tries it on the next one. One of the
favorite forms is that of self-admira-
ton, as ''behold me and your heart is
mine" Another is that of humility. as
If the heart was bowed down at her
very presence. This attitude generally
strikes sympathetic chord in the
senorita's bosom, and by swift glance
from beneath her long, dropping eye
lashes he is made to understand that,
his complaint is reciprocated.
Accordingly, on the next Sunday he
is at his post of vantage, and ventures
to tip his bell-crowned hat as she
passes, which she does not overlook
He is there on the next Sunday, and
on the next. but as his newly-found
love is always chaperoned. this is about
as far as he gets. The next step is
change OF base. On the first moon
light night, with his guitar, he takes
his position under her iron barred win
dow and pours his soul out to the en-
air of LA Paloma." white |
tiutters at the window,
perhaps, and he knows that his prayer |
has been heard, and goes home so that |
the neighborhood can sleep.
The Mexican dudes manner of firt- |
ing is SO delicate that it seldom gives |
the snap away" 1t is timid, yet bold,
but unobtrusive. His overtures are
never so bold that they may be con-
strued as an insult. If the senorita
does not understand the code or does
not wish to in any particular instance,
4 second attempt is not made. Another
type of dude may attempt it later on,
and perhaps succeed.
In the afternoon he attends cock
ight, where he again sees his imam
'rata, with her dark, flashing eyes, and
her mamma. This is another institution
which interests the tourist. The pit
viii seat about two hundred people; the
seats are arranged like those of cir
,us; and, as admittance is free, the
house is always full. The Mexican
pack their judgment with their small
change, and even the children bet on
heir favorite birds If any considera-
Die sum-ffty dollars or one hundred
lollars-is put up by the 'Americano'
ide of the house, the fight is invaria-
bly, thrown" the other way
An international bird fight is often
arranged. The Mexicans bet on the
American bird, while the Americanos
AXE the opposite side. believing that
IS the Mexicans are TO manage the fight
heir national bird will win. But, that
S Mexican trick; the American bird
S victorious, and the Mexicans scoop in
he money of the tourists. The sun
man of mananna is slow in
many things. but he does some shrewed
york when dealing with theAmericanos
he cheers and laughter of the Next
ans drown the contemptuous remarks
( the outwitted tourists
From each pot about FIVE per cent.
! taken to pay for the birds If bird
S only slightly disfgured, he is again
ut in the pit, and the owner receives
mother commission. II killed, the
ird is cooked for dinner, and the
amesters invite their friends. Three
r four fights either breaks or disgusts
ne crowd-and, besides, it is time for
espers-
The plaza is the grand promenade
round, and here again the dude meets
is senorita-and her inevita Bile NAM
Ia They pass and repass each other
the graveied walks, in the bowers,
nd under the dark green foliage OF
lie blooming orange tree and beam" {