The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-04-24
The Women Of MEXICO.


The Women Of Mexico.
Some of the Mexican customs respect
ing women will mislead the American
visitor unless heis better informed than
most persons who have crossed the
border One that I know of is very
queer, writes Chicago Times CORES
pondent from Chihuahua. Now fast dy-
ing out, it in vogue throughout the
entire republic five or six years ago.
I'll relate the experience of one A. w.
Clifford of San Antonio regarding it as
he narrated it to me: II had been en-
gagged in selling q ranch for wealthy
Mexican, said he, "and had managed
to ingratiate myself with him. He in
vited me to visit him at his home, and /
accepted. At the end of the National
Railway / found travelling carriage,
drawn by six horses and accompanied
by q number of mounted servitors.
awaiting me. Inside were recdptacles
containing choice wines, ice-a scarce
commodity-table ware and variety
of viands. Arrived at my hosts house,
he greeted me most cordially, as
sured me again and again of his friend
ship, and conducted me to school
room to see his daughters. There were
five, all pretty, the eldest lovable.
They ranged in age from 8 to II years,
They stood in line, in school girl ia
shion, as if about to make q recitation.
Bushes suffused their countenances,
but they cast at me many coquettish
glance. The father looked at them q
moment proudly and then introduced
me. after which he astounded me by
telling me / must make choice of one
of his daughters for bethrothal to her.
/ thought he was joking, and made some
remark in pleasantly, when he repeat
ed his statement, and demeaned him.
self so gravely the while that was
convinced he was earnest. I scarcely
know how the scene terminated, for I
became very confused and did q great
deal of unnecessary talking, just as q
young man does when partly intoxicat-
ed he thinks of some plan for pleasure
that his better sense bids him to forego;
but I think I lied to the gentleman by
telling him had wife and children.
The next day he informed me the be-
trothal was an act of courtesy to-
ward an ultrafavored guest, was
extended to highly distinguished
persons as a rule, and signiied
nothing more than that the person SO
honored had the freedom of the house. |"
The granting of this privilege is indeed
an honor, for no one but near relative
to a Mexican woman may unaccom-
panied by near relative enter any part
of an aristocrat's residence where the
females of the household resort. Even
the parlor, therefore, is sacred from in
trusion unless one be accepted on the
intimate footing accorded one betrothed,
who then becomes as brother. Should
he violate the trust reposed in him, moth
ing on earth would be more con-
temned. His punishment would be sure,
and his life would be the price Of his
wrong. Mexicans have been known to
violate this trust, but to the honor Of
Americans be it said, Americans never.
Perhaps this happy conclusion to kind
hospitality may be attributable in part
to the fewness of the Americans so hon.
ored and to the discernment of the Mex
lean hosts themselves, but it is ground
for congratulation nevertheless.
A whale measuring fifty feet in length
was stranded on the shore Of Accomac
county, Va, . few days ago. Five fish,
erman attacked the monster by shoot
ing and chopping it and secured it with
two anchors held by ropes passed
through holes cut in its flesh. The
captors were ct work about the levia-
than for several hours, and it was
thought to be dead. When the tide
came In at night, however, the creature
displayed renewed vitality, and by .
desperate struggle escaped from cap
tivity, carrying the cables and anchors
with It. No more was seen Of il till the
second day after, when il was discov-
cred IN the channel dead, and was towed
ashore. II viii probably yield 76 bar
rails Of oil.
Mopcure D. Conway intends 70 lesvs
England this spring, and return 70 his
native land. n. Conway has been
abfood twenty years, - ministee, lectur-
q. and newspaper correspondent. It
wss - 1919 that be left America, worn
with work, tired d the ministry, and
doubtfuI u the snoceGs d the autisslavs-
~ ceupe, II which be had been q mn
thl1ne woeler. On his retu1n % Hi
coun1xy b win pEobahay sett1e down II
Washington.