A Peruvian Waltz.

Otago Witness, Issue 2168, 12 September 1895, Page 49

A Peruvian Waltz.

A naval officer tells the following story :— One of our ships was oruiaing in Peruvian waters, and while in port the grand ball in honour of the wife of the President of the Republic was given. The young officer was there in full uuiform, which is warm enough at any time, but which in a ballroom, after a number of whirls in » giddy waltz, such as tbo Spanish descendants in Pe:u put up, is anything but an ice cooler. Our young hero invited a charming Peruvian to waltz. She consented, and away they went. After f everal turns about ths room he began to wish the young lady would suggest that they promenade, as most of the other couples did from time to time. But not the. On they went, spioning and prancing. The heavy uniform had btcome a sweat box. " Will she uovor stop ? " asked the young officer under bis breath. Early in the game he had exhausted the few Spanish phrases he knew. He did not daro stop until she did, as such a breach of etiquette might nuan that her brother would be likely to put a stiletto between bis ribs for insulting his sister by stopping in a waltz bofore she did. The Peruvian waltz lasts 20 minutes. That is a long time in a tight-fitting uniform in » tropical climate.- Our officer began to wobble, but he kept bis feet, and that girl never seemed to weary. When the 20 minutes had expired the mat ic ceaeed. Other oouples had waltzed and stopped, and waltzed again. Some uf his brother officers bad waltzod with half a dozen beautiful senoritaa, and they were wondtriug why be wa« ho devoted to the particular one he was still hugging aud whirling when the music stopped. He led her to a seat, aud hinvelf sought the open air and unbuttoned his ooat. Later in the eveuiag he learned th&b it was the Peruvian custom for the gentleman to suggest that they should cease waltzing and promenade or retire from tho floor. It would have been itnmodeat for his partner to suggest stopping. Th« young officer says the memory ot that Peruvian night hnuuts him still.