The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-01
AHonoe In india.
The Culver for May.

Inc Qulver Tor May.
A mud paved court, open to the
sky-that glorious sun.illumined sky
OF India, that gives poetry to every
thing, but enclosed with walls and
surrounded by a sort OF arcade or
veranda. Within it three or four
women-wearing the loose trousers OF
Mussulman women and colored sarees
like the Hindus-and several young
girls. They were not handsome, being
rather of the thick-llpped Nubinn
type: but several of them, and es-
pecially the elder woman, who teaches
in the little school, looked intelligent,
and they received us with courtesy
and apparent pleasure. The children
from outside were not present, IL
circumstance for which the elder
woman apologized; but she brought
forward her own children to he ex-
amined, and they acquitted them
selves with credit, reading huently
from an Indian primer and answering
all the questions my friend put to
them.
This family, poor us theirsurround-
ings seemed to be, enjoys IL moderate
prosperity. Comfort, us we under
stand it, is unknown IN Indian homes.
Our next visit was to be to a
Hindu family OF the poorer class.
Our scramble over rubbish heaps and
drains recommended, and landed Ills
at the foot Of a breakneck flight of
stairs which. when we had assembled,
we came upon the funniest little cor
ner of the world in which it has ever
been my lot to find myself. 1t was
part OF house. but what part it was
one found it difficult to make out.
10 me it seemed like n balcony or
ledge, hung on the side OF the house.
On one side, guarded by high par.
apet, it was open to the sky. and
looked down on q large, bare court;
while on the other side was u range
of untidy looking cupboards and cells.
In this curious nest u little flock OF
women, young and old, with few
children We're gathered together.
They received us with the utmost
courtesy--a grace that never deserts
the Hindu ut home-set for us the
wicker 80 y lat are kept for visit
- heir sarees around
the. U.s.. us after their
fashion. One and another, in the
meantime, were pouring out little
calculations of welcome. which my
friend. who is a fluent speaker OF Hin
dostani, answered smilinsly. Present
ly there came out from asmall enclos-
ure. which was more like u bathing
machine than anything else can
think OF, q young and very pretty
woman, with IL small baby in her
arms. The little creature, who ap,
peared to be the latest arrival in the
crowded nest, was handed round,
kissed, praised and commented upon,
while the young mother stool by
smiling. learned, upon inquiry, that
she WAS eighteen years OF age, and
that this was her fourth child.
The baby having received the fitting
mount OF attention, bright little
girl. with eyes as brilliant as stars,
was brought forward to read her les,
son. She WAS only seven years old,
and her readiness, intelligence and
pretty. winsOme manner made her
one OF the most bewitchins little crea-
lures had ever beleld. while 1 must
say that no English child OF her years
could have surpassed her in knowledge
Other little ones. who were not SO
brilliant, follollowed, and then the
women took their turn, spelling out
o. the Indian primmer patiently.