Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-06-14

anu SlOWS lilitO COullCSS W UlllCcTS. IL
you want to be sure of seat, however,
you should always attend church when
the bishop is there. None of his priests
are so considerate.
II noticed the sisters and scholars
from the convent had seats. ~
"That is because the sisters are
French, Irish and American generally
and are not accustomed to sit on the
floor. The Mexicans, either by inherit
ance from the Moors or through inter-
marriage with the Pueblos, seem to pre-
fer the floor to chair. In Mexican
families, even among the aristocracy.
the ladies, unless entertaining Ameri-
cans, sit OH the floor"
"One of the young ladies from the
convent lent me her prayer book. She
was knceling beh nd me-"
Poor child! She will have to do
penance for that indiscretion. 1t is
against the sisters rules for the pupils
to communicate with gentlemen.
''But this was not communication,
Mrs Stockton, ," said Raymer. 1T was
kindly act, such as one might expect
in any eastern church.
True, but advantage might be taken
of it to pass notes, you know. believe
the sisters are right. think / can guess
who lent you her Look. Was it a golden
tresscd blond?
"Yes; | have seen her twice at the
palace windows, but not in conventual
garb'
cit was Teresa Valencia, relative of
the governors wife, who, you perhaps
know, is Mexican.
Il know nothing of the governors S
family. Having so recently arrived, l
have learned little of the people.
1.-THE governor, think you know, is
an American, and Teresa Valencia is
his wife's niece. She is attending school
at the convent and has been allowed to
visit the palace occasionally.
Convent and palace life must appear
in marked contrast to her The brown
serge gown and the ugly sunbonnet she
wore at church and the dress and orna-
ments she wore when witnessing guard
mounting were vastly different. The
first did not conceal her beauty, and she
certainly graced the latter.
"You draw proper distinction, "
said Mrs Stockton. You noticed the
lady rather than her dress"
II deserve no such credit" replied
Raymer. II admired the details of
dress as we'll as person."
"She is very beautiful, both in mind
and person. I have rarely met a more
accomplished girl than Miss Valencia. "
"But how is it possible to obtain
many accomplishments here? The con-
vent school must have it's limitations.
An education there cannot equal that of
the best schools in the states.
"In your native state, for instance,
Mr. Raymer. Nevertheless there are
many accomplished Mexican families.
Besides Dona Teresa is very American
OIL several accounts. Her father was
educated in New England schools and
her mother in a ST. Louis convent. Aft
er marriage they lived in New York
several years, Senor Valencia being an
agent for Mexican commercial house.
Their daughter lived there from the age
of 8 to Is in intimate association with
American children. Since then the fam.
lily has lived in Albuquerque.
Further conversation upon this sub
ject was interrupted by the appearance
of Colonel Stockton and several other
officers, and Raymer arose to go. Be-
fore he left, however, Mrs. Stockton in
formed him that on the following
Wednesday the graduating exercises Of
the sisters seminary would occur, and
if he cared to attend as her escort she
would see that he obtained admission.
Few things could have pleased he lieu
tenant better, and it was arranged that
he should accompany Mrs. Stockton to
the school on Wednesday.
Accordingly at 10 o'clock of the day
appointed the lady and her attendant
were received by a sister usher and con-
Quoted to the interior of the convent.
Passing through an archway, they found
themselves in a broad, open court sur
rOuHle' Ny plaLIa, eilo NhoAo ePoS"
being filled with seats.
Opposite the entrance stage was pre-
pared for the graduating class. At one
side of the stage Raymer noted brass
band composed of the brothers and pu-
pills from a neighboring monastery.
They were quantity clad in gown and
cassock
Mrs. Stockton and her companion Sc
lected central seat, over which she
raised large parasol to shelter them
from the rays of the sun. Raymer real
lied that he and his friend were for
eigners in the assemblage. and he found
it necessary to give the utmost attention
to the English selections in rider to un-
derstand them.
Teresa Valencia, emerged from the
chrysalis vestmcnts of her convent life,
appeared first. the saiutatorian Of her
class clad in white relieved by little
color in ribbons and flowers. The en-
citement of the moment had brought
delicate blush rose tint to her cheeks,
and the slight tremor of voice in which
she read her opening lines added to her
charms the grace of modesty.
Raymer felt grateful to Mrs. Stock
ton for giving him this enjoyable hour.