Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-05-29

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Francisco, we were about to
land at the Mexican seaport
San Bias on the Pacific coast. From
a distance, as seen from the steamer,
it looked picturesque; a struggling
group of adobe houses hemmed in by
green hills, and the far-away blue
mountains dimly outlined and melt
Ing into the still bluer sky. AS we
descended the ships side and stepped
into a rowboat, we waved last sad
adieu to our fellow passengers, from
whom we were loath to part, writes
Times.
AS our boat approached the beach,
1t was surrounded by a swarm OF
brown faced. chattering cargadores
(porters) who waded knee-deep into
the surf, each gesticulating. offering
his services. trying to drown the
voices Of his competitors, in order to
seize our belongings and carry them
to the hotel.
At close range San Bias is poor and
meager enough. Where is the ho-
tel?" / asked. for saw only small
adobe houses of the meanest aspect.
Hotel Rambling Building.
"Ha, ha, ha! My dear young lady,
you will find nothing to resemble your
Palace hotel OF San Francisco, but
look at the last house to the right"
Sure enough, as we walked up from
the beach and turned into the Gale
Real, saw, over the huge door OF
rambling. squatty building. the word
hotel" dimly perceptible. though i'm.
mensely large. for time and weather
had done thoir best to erase II.
We entered the well.swept court.
yard called patio. and were shown into
large cool room by kindly woman,
who proceeded to make us comfort.
able for the few hours that we should
spend there.
sat listening to the arrangements
being made for our departure to
Tepic. the next city en- route. and II
amused me to hear all the talk. and
Nh' many pOllhN FhAootb II AOOhs
fore they came to n definite con.
clusion. All this devolved now on
our travelling companions. a lady and
gentleman. native OF Guadalajara. the
city OF our destination and TO which
they were returning after brief stay
in San Francisco.
My mother and | were travelling
alone and had the good fortune to be
introduced to these people on the
steamer. by q mutual friend who had
gone to see them of. On board |
had done them trlfling services, trans.
lating their needs to the attendants.
etc. and now they we're doing their
best TO repay the compliment. hard.
ly recognized the timid.looklng. almost
shrinking lady and the silent man as
i looked now upon them. They seemed
transformed into other people us soon
as they set foot on their native soil.
A look OF assurance. almost AFRO.
gance. springing from n sense OF their
own Importance and the homage they
received from all who approached
them. for everybody knew her 10 be
the widow OF the millionaire Martinez.
planter OF maguey and manufacturer
OF the famous wine OF Tequila, where
she owned vast estates. To the good
lady I was. throughout our Journey.
source OF constant amusement from
my wonder and surprise at the things
and customs. 80 different from all I
had ever known.
Just then the great, massive, iron.
clamped door was attracting my NJ.
tention: seeing which, she took the
key from a nail where Il hung on the
wall. and hardly able TO suppress her
laughter. said. Here. my dear. how
do you like this for a latch keyl"
Surely my eyes must have opened
wide as the traditional saucer on be.
holding n big iron key at least eight
inches long and proportlonately
clumsy and heavy.
The dir was sultry warm, though Il
was only February. and we all felt
thirsty. A bright red earthen Jar.
made by the native potters OF JalIsco,
and which keeps the water slngularly
cool. even In the warmest weather, IL
always to be seen on the dining room
tables. One stood here very consplcu.
ous. and I was reaching for II when
my kind guide and mentor. Mrs. Mar.
tinez. stopped me. THAT Ia the great
mistake OF foreigners" she said. "This
water Ia very unhealthy and causes
the stomach troubles endemic on tho
coast. Turning to the hotel keeper
she said: "Sencra. prepare us a do