New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01

| the wonderful musical ear which is a character
istic of all Philippine natives. and the fact that
they were unhampered by tight dresses easily
accounting for the phenomenon
The waltz being over. l found myself some
what at a loss for conversation. The only span
sh phrases l could recall were those to the
effect that "The cat chases the rat, The fatner
eats the bread Of the baker" and other particu-
larry idiotic platitudes derived from my spanish
grammar Not wishing to create an impression
of feeble mindedness, | abstained from making
any of the above remarks: but after much prain
effort ventured upon one which seemed TO me
to possess at least the merit or cOnventiOnaiity'
and succeeded in saying that 1t had been
splendid day. 1t occurred to me afterward that.
i'm view of the fact that there had not been a
cloud in the sky since the October monsoon had
set in and probably wouldn't be until February.
this observation might have seemed to be lack
ing in that wit and briancy calculated 10
make a favorable impression
At any rate my companion. after A moments
hesitation replied 81, senior. and then as the
music for another dance struck up she SAID
something about "otro senior, and uncere-
moniously detached herself and walked on she
probably told her girl friends afterward that 1t
was perfectly true that Americans and English
men all lunatcs-a popular theory in the
Far East.
DANCING NOT LIVELY.
Not being familiar with the intrlcacies Of the
"rgadon." as the dance now under way was
called. | retired 70 doorway to look on IL was
not so lively as IT'S name would imply being
species Of quadrille, with quantities or powihg
and scrapng. forwarding and backing ana
exchanging Of partners saw my iate ac-
quaintance going through it all with tan cap.
tain Of the "guardia civil whose sabre ana
spurs (Which he wore during the entire evening"
clattered and clinked in most martial way
Besides the Englishmen and myself. there
were present representatives. Of numerous other
nations - Germans. Frenchmen SWISS. one
Japanese and half-breed Dutchman from
Batavia. who drank more and made more noise
than ali the rest together
senior RI was everywhere: flirting with the
girls drinking with the men and doing his best
to see that everybody was having good time
always armed with box OF cigars. when he
offered TO members of both sexes indiscrimi-
natcly-and which generally accepted in
either case.
Among the late arrivals was one who particu-
larry attracted my attention. girl or perhaps
seventeen eighteen. as black as crow. with
tight-curling frizzly hair; arrayed in most
superb ball dress of pink tulle. trimmed WIN
white flowers importation from Paris. as
afterward learned. The effect of this costume
against her black neck and arms was striking.
to say the least. especially as she was the only
girl present who did not wear the native AZURE
She came accompanied by younger brother.
who rugged out in kind Of fancy dress.
and | was told that they had been abducted
when very young from one Of the inland tribes
of savage aborgines and brought up by
fabulously rich Mestizo family. The diamond
necklace which the girl wore. together with her
dress must have been worth a small fortune.
They were both treated with great Difference.
until the youngest. who had been making nui-
sanoe Of himself generally by his mpish per-
Then human nature asserted itself. and he had
his ears boxed on the spot-a proceeding which
his sister viewed with equanimity and evident
approval
Among the other remarkable people present /
were two twin sisters. whose father was given
to understand had openly declared in the pres
ence of witnesses that TO either of them who
should marry Englshman or American he
would give the sum Of half million in Mexican
dollars Unfortunately. the combination of ma
tive. Spanish and Chinese ancestors from whom /
hp la1 10; cd "a A
hideousness of form and feature impossible 10 /
describe. and. so far as can learn. no 'Inelis"
or Americana" has yet had the temerity to pay |
attentions Of A serious nature.
THE SECOND SUPPER
About midnight the music ceased and all
hands marched out into the garden. then
realized that the supper which had gone before
was a appetizer 10 what was To come.
Two very long tables were set out on the lawn.
under a sort Of tent arrangement. covered with
every imaginable kind of food which the islands
or their neighbOrs could produce. whole course
dinner. in fact: soup fish. entrees. roasts game.
pastry ice cream mountains of fruit. regiments
of bottles and confectionery al lib. IL was
case Of first come. first served. Each guest
secured a seat. ate his or her fill. and then rose
to give place 10 the next conner. They have
troublesome habit out there of serving the fish
last. after the sweets. and as the Philippine fish
are particularly delicious II is most provoking
TO have offered you after you have
ceeded in stufiing yourself to repletion.
Everybody was satisfied at last and then
tnere was sefeiai hdhuSnakllls ana pluGllS OF
"buenas nochcs." mingled with more offers Of ,
cigars from Senior R, ard repeated assur-
ances to each guest that the house and every
thing connected with it was his or hers. and his :
or hers only. forever and a day. Then drove ,
home and had nightmare and Indigestion for a
week. ~
The last time | Senior R on the q
Luneta, whittier | had gone TO hear the band
play evening Just before my departure for !
nome. He came up and chatted with me for sew :
,ral minutes wishing me bon voyage" and a :
speedy return to health At that time he was .
involved as leading spirit in the growing in ,