136 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



beside the table. From these people, after 

 more waving of arms and much unnecessary 

 and wordy circumlocution, I obtained direc- 

 tions which landed me at my destination. 



Tables and chairs are not a necessity with 

 the Mexican, and the introduction of furniture 

 may not unjustly be considered in the light, 

 to some extent, of an American innovation. 

 Francisco, for instance, takes unto him a 

 wife, and is provided with a house ; but the 

 subject of furniture is still far removed from 

 his thoughts. Then his employer undertakes 

 to display continually before his eyes, and in 

 large type, the advantages as well as charms 

 of house-furnishing. The summit of many 

 a Mexican's domestic ambition is attained 

 when he rolls himself nightly in his blanket 

 and groups himself en famille upon the hard 

 clay floor about his brick oven or open fire, 

 and rises to cook his frugal meal of frijoles 

 and chili, or some other native preparation, 

 simple enough but not unappetizing. For, 

 except in that matter of wine, the Mexican, 

 like the Spanish, peasant is frugal to an 

 admirable degree, and enjoys for the most 

 part good health therewith. But if he can 



