Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-23

at any time until sold. If the article
is sold for more than the amount o.
the loan, the excess, less the Interest
and original amount of the loan, Ii
paid to the borrower. Often relics
and interesting bric-a-brac may be
found there.
The Thieves Market is another in
stitution peculiar TO this country. II
is open but once week, and then, on
Sunday mornings, when all stolen artl'
cles which have been brought in during
the week, are put up at auction, and il
you have lost an article which you
prize highly, your only chance of re-
gaining it is to watch this market,
where you will De permitted to buy
back your own property.
During their stay in the Capital City
the Michigan party made its headquar-
ters at the Hotel Yturbide, pro
nounced Eto-ve.del centrally located
and one of the best public houses in
the city. The building was erected
more than century ago and was the
residence of the Emporer Yturbide
during his brief reign. 1t is a three
story building, built entirely of stone
with several one-paved inner courts,
upon which all Of the rooms open.
The bedrooms are without windows
and have but one door, part glass, and
which opens onto balcony overlook
ing the court. The cuisine was not
particularly enjoyed by our party, as all
food is cooked without salt and served
with highly seasoned gravies, exceed
ingly distasteful ouneducated palates.
Until few years ago butter was un-
known in Mexico and at the present
time there are only two or three States
that produce any amount worth men
tioning, and all which we found on the
hotel table was a sickly looking article
entirely devoid OF salt, and but little
~s'.t 04.e-'. ss-.s'. 80 'sil oOt CT &sVt~D-ia
Mexico visited by the Michigan excur-
sionists our meals were taken in our
comfortable Pullman hotel cars, where
the best OF fare was served. We might
have done so here, but one who is in
Rome should do as the Romans do, and
So for the sake of experience, we for
sock our cars and for nearly week
put up with Mexican fare.
THE BULL FIGHT.
With but two or three exceptions the
excursionists all nourished desire to
witness bull fight, not that they APP
proved OF them or because the shedding
OF blood was to them an agreeable or
fascinating sight, but simply out OF
curiosity and because they did not wish
to 60 home and be compelled to admit
that they hadn't witnessed the national
sport OF Mexico, and so carriages were
ordered and we were driven rapidly
ever the cobblestone pavement TO
Plaza de Toros, where the exhibitions
are given. AS just stated, bull fight
ing is the national sport of Mexico and
no city of Importance in the Republic
is without its bull ring. The fights are
given on Sundays and feast days, and
are always largely attended by enthus-
iastic admirers of the sport. The
exterior of the ring resembles cyclic
rama building in America, only it is
much larger and is without roof; in
side is "A monster amphltheatre, seating
thousands of people. Encircling the
arena is a high fence or barrier with a
foot rail about eighteen inches from the
ground, on the inside, on which the
performers step and leap over the fence
when too closely pursued by the bull,
landing in an open space between the
audience and the ring. Private boxes
had been reserved for the Michigan
excursionists, and on entering, an ex-
ceedingly brilliant scene greeted the
eye. The seats were occupied by
thousands of people, all dressed in
their Sunday best Gay banners and
flags were flying in the breeze, bands
were playing the livliest airs and all
American under the circumstances is
one Of amazement and anxious expec-
tation, not unmingled with sense Of
trepidation, for what is to come.
Suddenly there is grand flourish Of
trumpets which announces the coming
of the brilliant company of participants
the matador, capeadores and banderil-
leros on foot and the picadores on
horseback, all clad in the gayest and
most gorgeous costumes in all colors
and gold embroideries. After a few
preliminary proceedings not clearly
understood by the writer, the huge
wooden doors leading to the stables are
unbarI ed, amid the widest disorder
and enthusiastic demonstrations on
the part of the audience, and from 4
darkened pen bull bounds into the
ring As he passes under the rail a
steel barb, with ribbons attached, is
fastened in his shoulder. He gallops