The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-12-24
reception room and the side ONES for sleep.

reception room and the side ones for sleep
ing apartments.
Soon we were invited in to partake of
the san-cocho, which, as it was already
on the table, found to be sort of ola
podrida, something similar to the West
Indian pepper pot, which is composed Of
everything beneath the heavens and on top
of the earth, all thrown into one earthen
receptacle and stewed or seethed together.
This is called "san-cocho" and is a
favorite dish in the country districts-a
kind of hodgepodge Of stew, with bits of
pork and chicken particularly prominent.
Around the steaming vessel of san-cocho,
then, 10 hungry people were seated at the
groaning board, which was covered with
tablecloth heavily embroidered. The padre
invoked divine blessing. Our host, his
wife and daughter helped us lavishly, and,
moreover, every guest helped himself and
with his fingers 1t was, soon perceived,
considered the height of hospitality to pick
out a choice morsel with your fingers and
land it with a flourish in your neighbours
plate. found, as l explored the contents
of the vast earthen pot, wishbone, which
I had the pleasure of dividing with Laurita.
I secured the longer half, at which there
were much exclaiming and demanding Of
what I had wished for. At first 1 would
not satisfy their curiosity, but when Lau-
rita herself insisted that should pro-
claimed that my wish had something to do
with her. Then there was renewed excite
ment and a general demand that the wish
should be gratified and that should tell
them at once what it was Laurita must
have OWNED it, for she was silent and
cast down her eyes, only darting at me one
provoking glance. At last, in response to
the universal request, declared that if
the senorita would promise to grant my
wish 1 would not insist upon it then, at
which there was another outburst of re-
monstrance.
The san-cocho was finally finished, but
that was not all of the feast, for after the
table was cleared our sturdy host excused
himself for moment, while all present
looked expectantly in the direction of the
"horno." And there was a grand out
burst of applause when our host reappear-
ed bearing proudly aloft that same little
| porker, former occupant of the oven, look
| ing so cheerful and grinning so compla-
Gently that we fully expected him to squeal
with satisfaction. And, as for his COM
plexion, it was so brown and crisp that ev-
erybody there was wishing to taste it at
once. He almost fell to pieces when they
pointed their fingers at him, and several
fingers we're pointed at him in less tirle
than it takes to mention it, and he was
soon shredded into delicious flakes and my
plate again loaded with friendly offerings.
| Our host brought out a cask of home
made wine, and we pledged each other in
the juice of the Cuban grape.
Cornhusk cigarettes and real Cuban
cigars were next passed around, to which
the ladies not only did not object, but
themselves assisted in depicting the abun-
dant supply. And as the smoke wreaths
of the fragrant weed were curling around
the rafters overhead and losing themselves
among the thatch the host arose and made
an announcement that was received with
applause. He had, he said, a son, an only
"muchacho bueno," who was then "comi-
enda una gallina,' literally "eating a
pullet'" This term in Cuban parlance
meant that the young man was much co.
amored of brown skinned beauty tc
whom he was paying honest court They
were commanded to stand up and take the
floor, which they promptly did, a brick RET
blush mantling the cheek of each young
culprit Then, at signal, which doubt
less had been prearranged, Laurita an6
Valdemiras supported the bride to be or
one side, while I was requested to make
one of male couple to preserve the bal
ance on the other. The service was short
but impressive and the young couple, will
grave faces, soon received the congratula
, tions of their friends. The ceremony wa
followed by dance; this in turn gave wa.
, to another feast, and it was we'll into tn
night when we mounted our beasts ant
ambled toward the rectory.
Our pathway was family illumined b.
the last quarter of the moon, and when W
had arrived at the hamlet and the animal
had been sent to their pasturage it wa
proposed to stroll over to the chapel an
look at the valley by moonlight l was tn
one to propose it, OF course, for doubt
it had ever entered the head of any one Q
my friends to do such romantic thing a
to go out of his way for view either b
moonlight or sunlight. There was a COZ
sultation, the pretty sister seeming aston
8 ished at my temerity, but Valdemira
came to the rescue-she was a woman c
Q remarkable sense and decided for tn
stroll "Of course" heard her argue, 81
I 1t is the custom for the stranger to walk q
1 night with his female friends when no
at home, we should do as he wishes An
l then your brother will be with us, and til
mother will not object"
= This decided the matter, and, thong
I In futter Of mingled dread and delight
8 Laurita consented. AS for the padre, h
!: 4. Al | |