The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-04
MEXICAN ylSTAS.

In Mexican vistas," story OF travel by
Harriet Wight Sherratt. the reader is shown
all that is striking in the aspects Of nature
and interesting In the characteristics OF the
people described.
Mrs. Sherratt found the Mexicans practicing
lordly and almost oppressive hospitality.
when a stranger enters a house he is as
sured by his host, 1T is yours, senior; accept
it. and his 1t remains-in the assurance OF
the free-handed Don--as long lie chooses
to stay, albeit his soul is never gladdened
by the sight of the title deeds, properly
signed and registered"
A piece OF timely information follows: Tho
same apparent generosity is shown in the
matter of furniture. horses and jewels, II the
stranger admires pin, ring, cane. 1T is
yours, again exclaims the gracious Mexican,
and he urges its acceptance in terms so press
ing that the admirer is at loss for words 10
refuse the proffered gift But woe to the prac-
tical American who mistakes this pretense
for real generosity A certain countrymau
OF ours. who had most unwillingly accepted u
horse that was fairly forced upon him. be-
cause he no longer dared to refuse It, was
made aware of his mistake in a most disn
greeabe manner What sort OF man is that
friend OF yours inquired the donor of a
friend Of the recipient. He must be thief.
he has taken my horser"
One Is disposed to linger over Mrs. shor-
rats description of evening at Cuernayaca,
as over fine painting. "As the twilight
gathers, the MeXcans, like the Jews, seek
the shadow of the grim cathedral, we
- Va tba fOh "A "a
on the breast of the sleeping woman, Ixtacci-
huatl and the red flush fade slowly from the
cheek OF her watching lover. Popocatapetl,
Then the western sky broke up into drifting
Heeces OF crimson and gold the fires of the
charcoal burners blinked from the blllsides,
the deep bell doomed from the cathedral
tower, the voices of the street, the bleat Of the
goats and the tinkle of the cowbells came
family through the soft air, and all at once
we were up. up, up, at the foot OF the stars
Not often in all the romance Of travel has a
lady pioneer made so enterprising journey
and one So fruitful Of interesting informa-
ton, as that of Mrs. Sherratt on the backs OF
human carriers over three ranges OF noun
tains, in order to visit certain Aztec viii
lagos lying among and beyond them.
1T was nearly noon when they (the lndians)
finally appeared with the chariot which was
to transport me to higher regions. This
chariot was a high backed wooden chair.
with broad footrest and white cotton can
opy overhead, which could be drawn over the
face or thrown back.
1--WE travelled during the day over three
mountain ranges. Up and down the steep
declvties skirting the narrow benches.
threading the rocky ravines, and descending
81 cen valleys in whose verdant depths were
hidden Indian villages went the sure-footed
mountain horses, and my bearers travelled
close upon their heels. We often exchanged
greetings with the digniied Aztecs blowing in
the green fields and upon the rocky slopes,
fishing in the tumbling streams or gathered
around the adobe school houses and the tiny,
cross-crowned churches, and we always re-
ceyed from these humble native senors a
courteous, II curious, salutation. The sun
was setting as we wound slowly down the
mountain trail into the little Indian village
resting at the foot Of the third range"
Rand, McNally & Co.. Chicago and New
York. are the publishers Of this interesting
volume.