The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-12-28

grand ulnner, 10 winch every ouuy is
vited. And they generally come. The
don IN the oldcn days sent his major
domo around with verbal invitation
for everybody to honor the don by at
tending his annual New Years din
ner. Now there is not SO much for
mality. This dinner lasts all day and
the next or as long as any Of the
guests continue to honor the host by
their presence.
Tables are arranged under arbors,
and the barbecued meats. the fruits,
wines and other edibles which have
been collected for the past week are
served by the pretty senorltas Of the
don's household some of his numerous
relatives of course assisting in dispens-
ing the honors. During the day there
are the usual horse racing, cooking
mains and perhaps bullfight. The
latter, however, Is not so fashionable
now rs in the early and good old
days."
In the evening the amusements lead
off with what is called the Lottery Of
love" By this lottery it Is determined
who arc to be sweethearts for the COM
ing year The name of each young
lady present Is written upon n slip of
paper and placed In a box, and the
name of each young man Is placed in
another box. A little girl and little
boy are bllndfoldcd, and each draws n
name simultaneously. The senior and
senorita thus mated by chance are to
be "compadros," or companions. for the
year beginning with that evening. The
senior must accompany her to every
feast, bale or public entertainment
that takes place in the village or set
tlement. At least he must invite her,
End if she refuse he is then at liberty
to invite some one else. When the
couple are not happily mated, this re-
fusal Is usually the case, and, while
both understand that the Cupids have
mismated them, the formalitics must
be kept up nevertheless.
After this lottery the bale, or gran
dance" Is announced by the don. who
In q few fiowery compliments again
thanks his guests. and the bale opens
with n contra dance, the first step be-
ing q half turn to the right and en-
brace partners, the senior very delicate
ly putting his arms around the senorita
ms If about to waltz. This figure of the
dance Is omitted only when intimate
friends compose the "set." 1t is n very
pretty figure. and the grace with which
the senior makes a feint to embrace
the shy senorita Is captivating.
Casqueronis are still in vogue, and it
Is a high compliment to n senior when
senorita crumbles one Of these egg
shells Of gilt spangles and cologne over
his head He must then ask her to
dance with him, and, though she may
refuse he should ask again. for that is
why she did It Not to ask for n dance
in return for this testimonial is con-
sidered TO be slight.
At midnight there is supper Of
fruit, cakes. wines and other light del
icacIes. The dance Is. resumed and
continues until morning. When the
festivities are at the highest. the cas-
queronis are brought into action more
lively. When they begin to fly like
snowballs. the senoritas also begin to
let down their hair. AS a rule the hair
of the senorita is as black as night, and
1t falls to her waist. A number Of
pretty Spanish Mexican ladies, dressed
in the brightest colors. with their hair
hanging loose over their shoulders. is
picturesque sight. The particles Of
eggshells and colored bits of paper give
to the hair the appearance Of being
powdered or as If the senoritas had