The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-01-04

TIE LOTTERY OF LOVE.
Of the past generation. Their Christ
mas lasts until after New Years. With
their ancestors. however. life in this
quiet and distant land was an almost
perpetual Christmas.
Now. MS In former times. tie VII
layers make presents more Of Il useful
nature than otherwise such rs poul-
try. vegetables. fruits and perhaps
sheep or an Andalusian pony. The re-
turn presents are OF equal value. This
Is point Of honor. and TO return n
bauble to the donor OF n valuable pres
ent would subject that person to end
less rldiculr.
On New Years day the principal don
OF the village or settlement gives
grand dinner. TO which everybody Is in
vited. And they generally come. The
don In the oldcn days sent his major
domo around with n 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 rs 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 ediblcs which have
been collected for the past week are
served by the pretty scnoritas OF the
don's household. some Of his numerous
relatives OF course assisting in dispcns-
ing the honors. During the day there
are the usual horse racing. cooking
mains and perhaps bulltisht. The
latter. however. Is not so fashionable
now rs In the early and good old
days"
In the evening the amusemcnts lead
on with what is called the lottery OF
love" BY this lottery it Is determined
who arc to he sweethearts for the COM
ing year. The name OF each young
lady present Is written upon n slip Of
paper and placed In box, and the
name Of each young man is placed in
another box. 4 little girl and little
boy nre blindfoldrd. and each draws n
pnme simultaneously. The Scnor and
SenOrita thus mated by chance are to
be 'compadros." or companions. for the
gear beginning with that evening. The
scnor must accompany her to every
FEAST mile or public entertainment
that tnkes place in the village or set
tlement. At least he must invite her.
end II she refuse lie is then ut liberty
70 Invite some one else. When the
couple are not happily mated. this re-
fus6l is usually the case. and. while
both understand that the Cupids have
pniematPd them, the formaIlties must
be kept up nevertheless
After this lottery the bale. or "gran
dance" Is announced by the don. who
In few nowery compliments again
thanks his guests. and the baile opens
with contra dance, the first step be-
ing half turn to the right and en-
brace partners. the senor very delicate
~ putting his arms around the Senorita
As " about to waltz. This figure Of the
dance Is omitted only when intimate
friends compose tho "set." 1t is n very
pretty figure. and the grace with which
ihe senor makes n fent to embrace
S,e shy senorita Is captivating.
Casaueronis nre still In vogue and It !
es high compliment 10 senior when Il |
GeDorjia crumblcs one OF these egg. |
shells Of gilt spanglcs 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 ia
why she did It. Not TO ask for dance
in return for this testimonial is con-
to be slight.
At midnight there Is a supper of
fruit. cakes. wines and other light del.
The dance is resumed and
continues until morning. When the
are at the highest. the cas-
queronls are brought into action more
uvely. When they begin to ay like
the senoritas also begin 10
Jet down their hair. AS n rule the hair
of the senorita Is as black as night. and
u falls 10 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
eggshsals and colorsd bits Of paper give