The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1895-05-18


the OK, nor the ass.
nor. perforce, the stranger within the
gates AS everywhere in Spanish
America. Sunday Is the gala day of the
week. distinguished by the universal
DOMINIC OF good clothes. added brill
fancy TO the colorlng Of every street
scene. increased activity OF billiard sa-
looms, boisterousness OF masquerade
professions. and noisy persistency OF
lottery ticket vendors: everybody re-
llgiously begins the festive day with
matin and mass; but the accommodate
ing clergy get through with all that
by 10 a. IN. leaving plenty Of time for
promenading in the plaza. horse-rac-
ing. eocS-hghung. the theater. balls
and other gayetles.
The chief social institution OF Cuba
Il the Sunday evening promenade in
the plaza. and without It really do not
know how the young people would
manage to mate and marry. During all
the week the senoritas OF the better
class are never permitted to walk
abroad alone. but are kept under rigid
restrictions. constantly watched as II
expected TO rush TO the bad II allowed
the slightest oppor tunity. and always
accompanied by a duenna or elderly
relative whenever they go out OF the
house. This system OF eternal vigil
lance would doubtless become irksome
enough TO the mothers and guardians
Of the opening buds was il not soon
over. for at the age OF 10 Cuban girl is
considered quite old enough 70 be mar
ried and her parents hunt up hus-
band for her without delay. unless. as
is more likely to be the case. a match
satisfactory 10 pater familias, was ar
ranged for her with the son OF some
friend. while the precious pair were
Doth in their cradles.
During the tAdpole stage a girl Is
not allowed to make the acquaintance
OF any men whatever except her priest
or nearest kin. and even after she is
formally betrothed her fanee can see
her only in the conventional sala OF
her fathers house. in the presence OF
other members OF the family and al
ways under watchful supervision. But
though the giddy creature is thus kept
under guard all the week custom reg
ulates that she may be Totted out on
Sunday night and exhibited to all
corners. Her mother and chaperon &C
company her TO the plaza and leave her
at liberty to stroll up and down the
walk in company with other girls Of
her acquaintance. while they the cid
eEs) sit upon the stone benches that
line the pathway. or the cane-seated
rocking chairs which are arranged in
long rows for hire at 10 cents each
where they can keep watchful eyes
upon every movement OF the promenad-
srs
The whole city comes out TO see the
show, and for three mortal hours, says
the New York Advertiser, while the
band plays. all the unmarried women
tramp up and down, displaying their
charms and prettiest gowns, while hun
dreds OF young men-and some bald
heads and gray-beards. too-all care
fully dressed. pomaded, pertumed,
toothpick-toed and excessively high
heeled, watch them with eager atten-
ton. The ladies are all bare-heade',
except few wearing the graceful man
ulla, and every one carries fan which
she knows well how TO use In the Ian
guage of coquetry.
Girls OF 10 and "A are the bellies OF
the walk-oId maids past 20 being
passe and quite out Of the running.