The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-08

ing a splendid silk shawl with heavy
fringes. These shawls, very much in use
then in Mexico, were nearly all cream
colored and carried beautiful handmade
embroideries in silk, worked in large
flower patterns in their natural coiors.
Many of them were -heirloOms, and worth
great deal of money for their intrinsic
value alone. She introduced us to two
ladies of uncertain age, her sisters, and
to an aged lady, her mother, and last oil
all to her daughter, Eulalia, then in her
18th year. To say that this girl was beau
tiful is saying nothing. She was simply
divine; of that most beautiful Mexican
type which carries with it a perfectly
clear light olive complexion, slightly tinged
with rose upon the well-rounded cheeks,
large, dark, liquid eyes, finely moulded
dark eyelashes, and hair held together
upon the back of her shapely head by
high tortoise-shell comb mounted in gold
filigrec, and an exquisitely-s shaped mouth,
whose upper lip formed 4 perfect Cupid
bow. Her form also was perfect; she
was little over medium hight and, being
the child of sunny cline, all her charms
were fully developed. She was dressed in
simple white gown of a clinsing ma
terial ard cut out in front just enough to
show her beautiful throat, which looked
like chiseled alabaster or, rather. ivory.
Over her finely shaped head she had pin
FED Spanish mantilla of white lace,
diaphanous fabric that fell over her Shout
| ders in graceful transparent waves, under
| which her rosy small ears were percepti-
BILE. When she acknowledged our pres
ence with q slight bow and a graceful
smile, two rows Of perfect pearls appeared
between her cherry lips. All the ladies
WORE alas, a profusion Of jewelry; this is
unfortunately the custom Of all Spanish
American ladies, even Of the refined
classes. Mrs. Warner seated us with the
request that we might waive all ceremony,
as we were friends of her husband and
hence of the family. and would kindly ex-
crse all shortcomings.
AS to the dishes served, l will only say
that they did honor to the best cooking
aratiQp, and Mr.. Warner uncorked several
brands of fine imported Burgundy. But
the dinner as social function would have
appeared to any American lady, and espe-
cially young lady very tame and ccre-
monial affair. According to the Mexican
custom of those days (Which prevails to
great extent now the ladies spoke very lit
| tie during the whole meal, leaving the bur
den of conversation to us men, who, | re-
greet to say, carried on the conversation in
| English, against all polite custom and
etiquet generally observed on like occa-
sions, although we knew that not one Of
the ladies spoke or even understood the
| English language. Miss Eulala sat op-
posite to me, and / had, therefore, every
opportunity of observing how beautiful
her hands were in shape and texture, and
| could feast my eyes with her graceful
ways. She seemed, however, to be ex-
ceedingly modest, hardly ever lifting her
eyes fully to mine, except when l address
| I'D fax Sna pish xvnriS IN hnr TbQp cha
would look up for moment. answer po-
litely, and again let her eyelids hide those
ma gnifcent orbs / was so anxious to faith
ON. The ladies merely nipped at their sill
yer goblets, while Pedro, who acted as
butler, kept ours constantly replenished
After the dinner. which lasted about half
an hour, We all went together into an
adjacent parlor to take our coffee. 4
harp was standing against the wall, and
Miss Eulalia RECALLED US with a few pieces
of music, closing the performance, at the
request of her mother, with n mild love
song, during the rendition of which she
did not at all appear to be Mt ease. Poor,
sweet bird, she had not yet tried her
wings! Having lived heretofore in great
seclusion, she was not accustomed to sing
or play before company, especially male
company.
MEXICAN COURTSHIPs.
For the better understanding of my read
ers | wish to mention here that q we'll
brought-up Mexican girl, whether she had
any educational advantages or not,
whether she be of rich or poor
family, is never allowed to be in
company with men without the presence
Of her mother or other female relative,
who act as chaperones. She Is taught
modesty and reticence at all times; she
is not permitted to walk, ride or drive
alone with any young man not her brother,
even though she may be engaged to marry
him, and the whole family would be
: thunderstruck With horror, were her lover,