Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-10

ALtu tllt 4htAlCthl luAliAiANc ooSAoAs
Among themselves, yes, but not to-
ward us gringos"
"Do you never receive invitations to
their houses?'
"Yes, to meet the men now and then.
but never see tho ladies'"
"And don't you know any OF the
girls9"
"Oh, yes, plenty Of girls-such girls
as attend the bailos and fandangoes, but
of the gente finas we know none"
Never meet them in your calls?"
Never. have been invited to din.
ners, lunches and card parties at several
of the best houses and have been enter
tanned righ. royalty. toby the men,
and I've met some married ladies-they
were very hospitable-and few un-
married ones long past the interesting
age The lady Of the house and few OF
her married friends sometimes appear in
the salas, but the daughters are invisi.
bic.
"But officers have sometimes married
Mexican girls?"
"Now and then, but have been Civ
ing You my own experience. p"
"How have such marriages been
brought about?'
Accidental meetings, love Mt first
sight. elopements Mexican marriages,
you know, are arranged by the parents
of the young people.
And are consequently unhappy, l
SUPPOSE" said Raymer. smiling curl
ously
THAT ia our American idea"
"Is il falseg''
81 think So Our divorce courts show
the results of indiscriminate so called
love matches. Did it ever strike yo1
that little more parental supervision
might be desirable and benefcial?"
Doesn't that reflection belong to the
parental age? No; have never given 1t
a thought. ! have always believed in
love before marriage.
.'Yet the cold fact stands, Raymer, y
continued Reed, that marriages among
the French, Italians and Spaniards are
quite as happy as ours. Right here In
Santa Fe I've no doubt that among the
married there is as much domestic hap
piness, love, devotion and that sort OF
thing as in any American town OF its
size in the eastern states.
"Oh, yes, l am up on all the current
literature of the subject and have been
chaperoned in New York, Philadelphia
and Lake George! am not ignorant OF
Latin race methods. but believe in our
lovemaking. Don't you. Reed?"
Don't /! Am an American? What
would life be- without IL! / think the
Mexican youth have missed the gist OF
life in not making their union in the
good old Anglo-Saxon way. 1t is like
sitting down To n fine dinner with one s
nose stopped and eyes covered. The ef'
feet of odors, floral decorations and 9s-
thetic arrangement Of glass and china
| Is lost. "
IAN original comparison indeed! But
/ supposed that contact with our coun'
trymen had broken up those customs In
the territories acquired Of Mexico.
mo" replied Reed refiectively; "the
custom has not been abandoned. Indeed
the tendency is in the opposite direction,
and American fathers and mothers seem
to be adopting some foreign restrictions
in these matters-more English than
French or Spanish perhaps. think you
mentioned the chaperon:"
"Yes; she is becoming recognized as
| the correct thing now; not so strict and
meroiless rs the Spanish duena, how
ever
II hope not. "
"Do you know any young ladies at
the palace?" asked Raymer, broaching
the subject upon which his thoughts had
been dwelling of late
There are several usually" replied
Reed. 1.-THE governor has daughter.
and she has many friends and some
cousins who visit her. ,"
'I have seen but one, young lady
with fair hair and dark eyes, observed
Raymer.
There are three who answer to that
description. When did you see herT'
"At guard mounting yesterday and
today a young lady stood at the window
overlooking the sundial She appeared
20 be about Is or 10. fair haired, black
eyed. of delicate complexion. graceful
figure"-
"You might as well give me the 'po'
sition Of soldier, interrupted Reed
"Tell me what she wore. q"
IL think" said Raymer thoughtful
", "she wore o creamy dress, a light
blue sash, rebozo Of broad yellow and
black stripes, with fringe Of same col
ors"--
Gross and rosary Of jet and gold?'
again interrupted Reed. Maltese cross
of Mexican filigree in sash?"
eyes"
"It was Dona Teresa Valencia Sh'
Is from Albuquerque and is one OF th'
cousins. She will graduate at the con
vent school this summer.
"Do you know her?'
81 know her by sight, having seei
her at the palace windows as you have
and | have also seen her riding Will
Colonel Stockton and his wife Mrs
Stockton calls at the governors ant
knows all the young ladies, but sh
must be under some promise to the con
vent sisters t6 keep US youngsters aioof
for we have never been able TO manag
an introduction. F"
"Does she never speak Of Miss Valen
oia?'
"Yes, frequently. Says Dona Teres'
is brilliant and accomplished, speak
Spanish and English equally well, l
we'll read in ancient and modern htera
ture, reads French, plays, sings ant
draws and is gentle and sweet-an angel
with wings just sprouting, / suppose
Mrs Stockton makes herself miserabl
over the thought that so much concen
trated sweetness and excellence are {
be wasted upon O monte playing. bul
failing Mexican, for it Is reported tina
a matrimonial bargain has already bee
made between the girls parents an
those Of O cheap fellow in Las Lunas
named Ortega-a cowardly scamp OF q
account whatever. Has money, that
all. Mrs. Stockton further says that
she was young American gentlema
she would make it the object OF her LII
to win this treasure.
"why have none Of you tried it!
asked Raymer.
Because there are American girl
with prior claims upon Us, suppose
was the reply. 81 can answer for my
self to that effect. Even II the DARN
-- A.-...-soax, ahould ho {Ound 1ON