Evening star., 1926-05-24
MODERN COURTSH|P.
BARRED IN MEXICO.
Old Customs Prevail, With
Courtship Carried on
From a Distance.
By the Associated Press.


LAREDO. Tex. May Mingled
here in the borderland, where two
races dwell and TWO civilizations meet
are customs as old as romance and
6s new as jazz.
The twentieth century marches
blaringly down to the bewitching Rio
.;raEde del Norte and there it stops.
tor Jazz has not Yet leaped the bar
sier. On the other hand. the nine
1eenth century fits up to the same
great river Of the north. but does not
altogether halt. The intriguing Latin
tones Of the violin and guitar steal
across TO soften the din of brass and
drum. The river separates two CEN
turtles but cannot bar the music OF
the soul.
Marriage. death and love give a
definite picture of life in the strangely
moving border. These episodes be-
come ceremonies when trimmed in
Old World moods. and the breath OF
old World custom gives different
atmosphere TO New World.
I.ove.making for the young Mexi-
cans follows a habit centuries old.
lie may become enamored of fair
senorita. but it is only after his
father has explained the situation TO
her father that they may become Tor
mally acquainted. Fain would every
Latin hombre pick eloquence as ms
pater's outstanding virtue.
Woos Through Bars.
The wooing must be done through
the barred windows Of the senorita s
home until the engagement is an
rounced But when the moonlight
filters through the leaves. even
though the formal announcement Is
not yet, the young senior may strum
his trusted guitar under the beloved
ones balcony and his recompense IS
q rose. Each day during the weeks
Just before the wedding he passes
the home of the girl ana places d
note beneath her door.
The gran bale" (grand balp IS
the piece de resistance of the mar
riace, and in it's amorouS Tilt there Is
no room for modern tin.pan music.
Even If the home have no nooflnS
o!. furniture, the parents will manage
20 obtain lace curtains and they al
ways will have place for the gran
bale"
Fiestas are numerous. but none
rivals the jamaica" or Mexican fete
of jolity. Decorated booths are
erected along the sides Of the plaza
which is the public square. Each
booth is in charge of senoritas, be-
decked in colorful ''Chino poblano. "a
long dress of many hues, a mantila
Of lace, and rose in the hair. one
booth will be a temple of justice. with
a senorita presiding as judge; another
will have lawyers and a third will
be the "carcel' or Jail.
Flirting Done Wholesale
Then there are a number of young
woman policemen" armed with be-
libboned hoops, and when they catch
sight Of a young "caballero tney
slip the hoop over his head and he
is brought captive to the judge, who
promptly fines him. and then incar-
Cerates him in the 'carcel.' At each
step he pays fine of 10 cents, ana
must square all accounts before he is
relea Sed.
There is the custom of the grand
promenade, where Irritation is done
by wholesale. The girls and mar
ried couples saunter along in an outer
line on the walks of the plaza, while
on the inner line. going i'll the oppo-
site direction, walk the young gal
lants Should the eyes of two meet
and should the girl cast flower. it
means that his acquaintance would
be welcome. and he at once sets about
to gain an introduction. These meet
tngs frequently lead to marriage.
Plainly. jazz is not the life motif Of
the Latin. The classical dances of
Spain predominate. The "Jarabe
Tapatia' is to be seen in homes and
theaters. It is danced by lady in
long skirted "chino poblano" and n
senor in velvet 'charro," which fits
tightly about the legs. La Jota,"
the dance of the shawl, also Is a popu-