Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-12-26
THE LOTTERY OF LOVE.

Of the past generation. Their Christ
their ancestors, however. life in this
quiet and distant land was an almost
perpetual Christmas.
Now, as in former times. the vii
layers make presents more of a useful
nature than otherwise, such as poul-
try. vegetables. fruits and perhaps
sheep or an Andalusian pony. The re-
turn presents are Of equal value. This
is a point of honor, and to return a
bauble to the donor of a valuable pres
ent would subject that person to end
less ridicule.
On New Years day the principal don
of the village or settlement gives a
grand dinner. to which everybody is in
vited. And they generally come. The
don in the olden days sent his major
domo around with q 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 senoritas 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 end perhaps a bulltight The
latter. however, is not so fashionable
now as 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 a slip of
paper and placed in a box, and the
name OF each young man is placed in
another box. A little girl and a little
boy are blindfolded. and each draws a
name simultaneously. The senior and
oChOtAtd tluo thdtCu Wy NhahNC atC "
be ''compadros." or companions. for the
year beginning with that evening. The
senior must accompany her to every
feast baile or public entertainment
that takes place in the village or set
tlement At least he must invite her.
end IL 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 formalities must
be kept up nevertheless.
After this lottery the baile, or gran
dance" is announced by the don, who
in few fowery compliments again
thanks his guests. and the bale opens
with contra dance. the first step be-
ing half turn to the right and en-
brace partners. the senior very delicate
ly putting his arms around the senorita
as if about to waltz. This figure of the
dance is omitted only when intimate
friends compose the 'set." 1t is a very
pretty figure, and the grace with which
thC oShoi hionSo q ASiht w SihpAoNS
the shy senorita Is captivating.
Casqueronis are still In vogue, and it
is high compliment to 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 1t. Not to ask for dance
In return for this testimonial is con-
sidered to be a slight. - ~sS.s'
At midnight there is a supper Of
fruit, cakes, wines and other light del
icacles. 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 rule the hair
Of the senorita Is as black as night, and
Ii falls to her waist A number of
pretty Spanish Mexican ladies, dressed
In the brightest colors, with their hair
loose over their shoulders, is a
picturesque sight. The particles of