The Republican journal., 1897-08-19
Love- Making and Marriage.
some National characteristics and Odd social
Customs In Guatemala.

Customs In Guatemala.
special correspondence of The Journal.
GUATEMALA LA NUEVA, July Ii, 1897.
Tough the streets and markets are
Sc inning with Indian women, the stranger
s., cry little of the ladies of Guatemala
naturally wonders where they are
ping themselves. As in other Span
American countries, it is contrary to
8les of etiquette for lady to walk in
street alone, even in broad day light.
NJ religiously to church, she must be
0mpanied by a servent, or a compan-
and to be abroad after sun set. though
Ioups of two OF three, would be to
all the gossips' tongues a-wagging
l1se caste forever. American and
nan ladies', living here some time
luund these customs 50 announcement
hey have broken over them TO some
t-at first with unpleasant results TO
sclves; but gradually the natives
.- come to understand that the ways of
countries differ somewhat from
own. and now a foreign lady may 60
there unattended in the daytime,
oat fear OF being spoken to 10y every
Size meets.
-l,e custom keeps the senoritas 50
died. Dan Cupid must necessarily
on his merry war by stealth. The
be loyel. denied admission to the
-.nee of his iuamorata, flequen5s the
in front of her casa and spends
-s vi Lis waking hours on the pave
1t. gazing rapturously at her window;
size, snugly ensconced behind the
pretends to ignore him, though
Jg delighted to have sutton and
DIS to Show him oft to all her ac-
lganoes. In Spain. this counting in
.io at long range is known as Pelando
1va-"Plucking the turkey, and here,
ID Mexico. it is called Hacer ell oso-
.aying the bear. Always it is con-
ned tll months, and often for years,
maybe without success after all The
~Jlt does not depend upon the wishes OF
-i1l, but upon the will OF her parents
Ai-er while they make enquiries into
young man ; character, prospects and
--U standing. If reports are satisfac-
the senorita' father. OF big brother,
apes acquaintance with the suitor at
.lub OF elsewhere, and invites him to
house. But never, never is he allow
70 see her for one moment alone to
OF drive with her, or take her to any
90 III amusement unless mamma goes
--till after the nuptial knot is Sc
..1 tied
10 marriage. a civil as well as re-
u1s ceremony is insisted upon by the
Inment, even among the Indians,
in times not long past, INDUCED in
-remonv whatever, BY law. the
ceremony must preoede that Of the
Ia. and by custom the latter is a
lengthy aud tedious affair After
torms have been complied with the
~-s repair 10 the home OF the bride,
.ea great feast has been spread. each
bringing d basket III which to carry
IVA portion of tile food. The festive
5eezed Will flowers and all the
0-- 0 china that can be bought or
eel and literally groans under its
I'll III goo5ies. Dulcies Sweet
~ ol iunInelAble sorts predominant,
-afa-ne flows like water, OF rather
4l ue1er flows al any feast in this
N Wliskey flows too (the drink
-45el by custom for men at we'd
- ard the wonder is how gentlemen
dies can imbibe such incredible
=ties without intoxication, for
zenness is extremely rare in Guate-
.. The BRIDE parents furnish the
-lntials Of the supper and the groom
qpid>. and OF course he has much
worst Of it in the way OF expense, the
IS being mostly OF home manufac-
.a But the oldest feature of it is that
eiy eats a mouthful of the supper on
spot. The guests admire and COM
upon the food, and drink ad
NM; and then each empties his plate
bis basket and carries the food home
lched, to insure good luck to his own
ehold in the form OF husbands and
for the unmarried.
lyjroned 10y 50 many social restric-
LIS the young people naturally make
most OF every chance meeting, at the
eltre, in the plaza, even in church,
e-honored language of fan and
akerchief, they carry on the most ex-
elsiye and ridiculous tlirtations. Span
Gentlemen consider it the highest
mpliment to stare at lady when
r and wherever opportunity offers,
rel putting their heads into the carri-
-e where she is sitting and gazing in
-nrly into her face; meanwhile signing
ae a furnace and muttering, as if to
ncmselves, Que linda, ''How lovely;'
5ae bonita! "How beautifully" Ojos
7les como cielo, Eyes blue as the
.a4rens, and similar nonsense. In SO
NC they have no idea of being offensive,