The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-28
THE CHRIST CHILD
MExIcANs OF SAN ANTONIO GIVE PAsTOREs DRAMATIC PRE-
 SANITATION.
The story of the Christ Child is Give en Connplefe, Interspersed With Bits of Broad
 Eum0r.

| San Antonio, Texas, Dec 2T.-(Spe- cial.)--since the day before Christ mas. Mexicans of this city have been giving the traditional Pastores or, dra- l matic presentation of the story of the Christ Child. It Is a mystery play analogous to the passion play given at oberammergau, and is the most ex- tensiye and interesting thing of the kind given In America. A picked band of actors. chosen by the priest of the historic old San Fernando Cathedral have been gkving this series of plays at the Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at ST Concho street in this city.
 The story of the Christ Child is giv- en complete dramatic presentation. with bits of broad humor interspersed. after the fashion of the mystery and miracle plays of the Medieval Age. The play opens by, shepherds singing hymn beginning. "In Bethlehem's Holy Mangersy and containing the fol- lowing verse which is characteristic of the chiid-like simplicity of the devont Mexican people. Translated from the original spanish It runs: March on together joyfully. While the angels sing,
 For our Lords nativity,
 Hot tomales bring"
 This song after many stansas closes with:
 "A bitter contest ours to wage,
 The evil power to quell.
 To match. the cunning. dare the rage
 Of satan, Prince of He'll"
 This serves to introduce. Satan. one of Lucifers imps, who Is burdened with very long tail, maue of nre- crackers When Lucifer and his inps are finally baniehed. Satan's tail Is Set on fire. and his wild antics furnish uproarious amusement.
 Another comic character Is the shep- herd Bartholomew. ridiculously sleepy fellow who cannot shake off his drowsiress. The other sheph erds, in- cluding a comic cook, go to him and beg him to wake up and worship the Christ Child, but he has some sleepy headed excuse each time. At last the shepherds take him up bodily and de- posit him before the altar. They drop him with a dull thud, and a bright H. illumination of celestial glory falls about him. combination that wakes him up to his religious duties.
 Besides the shepherds, the other characters include. Mary. Joseph, Lu- cffer Satan. Beelzebub and other dew Ills, the Archangel Michael. and other archansels and angels. The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, their weary wandering from door to door in search of shelter the birth Of Christ, the announcement of that birth to the shepherds in the fields, their journey guided by the Star of Bethle- hem, and the wise men of the East adoring the Christ, are all set forth with great partlcularity. Hosts of angels and devils hover about the scene and have bitter controversies over every imaginable point of diff ference. The devils are of course dis comfitted and finally driven out in dis- grace.
 The drama of 'The Pastores," has been handed down from father to son here for many generations, and is given less elaborately at other places in the surrounding section. Many of the actors cannot read and are taught their parts by Fote. Formerly a fa- nous shoemaker here was preceptor and manager of one such company. Ridiculous changes are sometimes thrust Into the text, reminding one somewhat of the company of dull me- ehanicals" in Shakespeareis Mid summer Nights Dream" of which the inimitable- Bottom, and his. friend Shout weke members
 These simple Mexican folks are deeply religious and display great emotion in acting these plays. They chant their lines with deep feeling