Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-02-15
FROM PARAGUAY.
ANOTHER INTERESTING LETTER
FROM CAPT. RICHARDSON.
THE NATIONAL DRINK AND HOW IT IS
sERvED-AMERICAN FARMERS
IN A FOREIGN LAND.
Written for THE AMERICAN. |

Since my remittance from Paysandu,
have Travelled further afied over Uru-
quay, and my interrogation points are
ali greatly worn.
O.uur arrival at Nueva (New Palm ira
70 he second time, l WAS much more ia
vorab'y Impressed with the place, and but
Tor my pract icai know ledge OF longitudes
l could readily believe that this is the
ore tlne-piace of II similar nHme near he
meridian OF Damascus. The buildings are
Moor sh--not unlike those of all south
en- Europe-htt tops, vailed around,
where one may easily preach or proclaim,
a. IN aays of old. The style OF fiui-h is
local and not uhattractive where tsing
forns have been NJ all sought for. ! can
detect nothing American about the place,
except glass in the windows, the same as
il ali ther Geld countries.
No industries III the town, it is only
plaee OF mposts aud from whence the
mode rate products OF the neig boring
country are set Hhoat A quiet, sleepy
place indeed-w here the collector OF GUS
tonis happened to be Mt home sleeping
and cou IA not center" until it VAS his
pleasure to wake upand come o the office
After my two months stay in this
country can say that | have not met
beggsr nor seen II very ragged person or a
scaottly dressed child--a great contrast to
Spanish PAGES. Nor have | seen drunk
ell, inah excepting among my crew. the
ptopfe all drink, but are not drunken.
That last remark is no yelled thrust at
prohibition. Most OF the Latin races are
nussed upon vine and educated to its
~; but " lille It may DO them no harm it
is expensive for the poor and does them
NO good.
Another OF their virtues (Which l have
written OF in the past -theS are far more
ppitte than we are; and, may add, more
ho-pttHble and KIND hearted. In my
rsmoles, every child l meet well as
man, bows and muruuts word OF 81 lutte
II he l. given chance. AT the door OF
every cabin the stranger is welcomed, and
etteshments are urged upon hun.
Shaking hands Is IA strong custom and
y
prove OF or think in good taste. The
YOU maiden READILY offers her hand to
Ally passing stranger to Mhofu she hap
peH- To be introduced and men meeting
and parting WITHIN tue minute shake
hand- at both ends OF the interview.
THE NATIoNAL DRINK
THIS i one OF tae few countries " hcre
the u.atte (mattyJ is universally INDUCED
in and always offered to tine caller. II is a
ten made from the leaves of bush grown
mo tty in Paraguay, and Is served in this
WAY INTO small tlat gourd, through
hole il the top, il put the ten N sugar,
hot water is poured Ipun it, then silver
tube Is inserted and the outfit is loaded
and ready.
servant brings it to the parIor and
offers il to the most honored guest. The
m IA. &. takes the gaurd in her left hand,
gently resting it against her bosom, and
with the tube i'll her lips takes a swallow
or two IN very graceful and unconscious
way-the more refined the lady, the more
graceful the aet-then she talks a little
and swallows some more and on, ali
the while having the appearance OF smok
ing big pipe except for the lack OF
smoke.
When she has exhausted the liquid the
servant, who has been waiting at her
elbow, takes the gourd and glides off to
the Kitchen to prepare another dose for
the next guest In rank, and so on until
all in the room are served or have de-
elined with many thanks and excuses. 1t
10 ian
mix 1t to taste, and her last duty with
sach separate preparation is to that
the tube draws freely. That old chest ut
did not trouble me at all, because where
first INDUCED 1t happened to be pre-
pared by a most attractive young mem Der
of the family. They knew it As my first
trial, and all had considerable fun ut my
sxpense--especial when in trying to
investigate | thrust my finger through
the hole in the gourd and into the
hot tea An iuquisitive nature must
needs fall into many ADVERTISEMENTS.
Some of the gourds used for matte are
elaborately carved or chased and the lube
("oom beza'9 may be either more or less
expensive. | secured new outfit Of
rather good class, SO some matte, So
that callers at our house may be served, or
see the tools, as they prefer Have picked
up many odd things from this country,
nncfudiug "a settin'" (?) OF nearly all the
birds eggs OF the land, from the size OF
peas to That OF eocoanut, aud mon
strous tush from hogs jaw ,togethe with
NEST Giminutlve set OF deer horns.
IN THE FARMING COUNTRIES
This Immediate Helg h borhood produces
wheat alone, but as you press further out
you strike the cattle ranch and meet the
COW boy. 1t is now harvest season, and
for the first time I saw an American
reaper and binding machine. | may have
hoodooed the thing, because it br Ike down