Wichita eagle., 1888-01-08
A CREOLE MAIDEN.
SHE IS BORN INTO AN ATMOSPHERE
OF CONSERVATISM.

OF CONSERVATISM.
Girlhood in the Sacred Precincts Of the
Family Circle-Strict Rules Of Ell.
uuette-Love of Music and Dancing.
or to School.
A favored few, during the New Or
leans exposition, caught a glimpse OF the
creole girl, and were surprised to find her
not the indolent, selfish creature OF undis-
ciplined mind and temper that she has
been so often pictured. They saw enough
to convince them that she mad been I'M
Justly represented, yet not enough OF her
domestic life. which the creole guards
jealousy against intrusion, to be able to
correctly decide what special influences
had made her so unlike her American
sisters. If however, one is intimately
enough acquainted with the creoles to
gain admission into their family circle, he
will not be long in fixing upon these de-
ternnining forces The creole girl is born
into an atmosphere of conservatism. From
the beginning it is her very breath OF life.
Not only custom, but the accumulated
force of heredity, combine to make her live
up to her ancestors. From the cradle she
is accustomed not only to affection, but
to its demonstrations. All her family
and all their friends are not content to
love one another in a careless, never-teli-
you-about-it fashion, but with protesta-
tons, with enthusiastic disclosures o.
heart, with kisses frequent and warm
The little maid could hardly be of cold
demeanor in this air of demonstrative
affection. which, according to the Hin
docs, should never be wanting in the
mansions of the good.
When she is old enough to come into
| the parlor she greets her mammals guests
with ease, and it is with angelic con-
/ fidence that she puts up her cheek to be
| kissed. The tact which is hers by inherit
ance is already apparent. and not from
| creole children come the accessions to the
ranks of les enfants terribles. The mother
encourages what mothers OF northern
! races deem friyolities. Understanding
the value of ease Of manner, gracefulness
| Of motion and the numberless prettinesses
which come only by long practice, she
very soon allows her youthful daughter
to take part in gay little dances, harmless
receptions. where little folk must act with
the propriety Of the greater. These
gatherings entail no fine dressing, no
costly refreshments or late hours, which
are the characteristics of the modern
child's party.
AVOIDING IMPRoPRIETIEs
The little girl is early taught to avoid
improprieties of speech and manner. The
effect of mammals oft iterated ''Va douce-
ment file; te," shows itself even in her
play, for she INDUCES in none of that wild
romping which is SO often a distinguish
ing feature in the sports of others of her
age and condition. The creole girl is
merry and yivacious, but she will never
defy the rules Of etiquette or her mother g
frowns She is her mothers constant
companion, and her father, too, courts the
society and confidence of his little daugh-
ter, and the bond between them is more
intimate, more sacred, than is usual be-
tween American fathers and daughters.
Even after marriage she keeps up this
sweet intimacy, and her father is sure to
be as interested and sympathetic listener
to her recounted trials and joys of house
keeping and motherhood as is her Glother.
There never was creole girl who could
not dance. Her feet beat time naturally
to the unison Of waltz music as soon as
she can walk. When about years Old
she is sent to school, usually one kept By
some reduced gentlewoman, where,
though the text books have not been
changed for years, and the demands for
higher education are unknown, the youth
full pupil is carefully grounded in eiemen'
tary rules She studies French and learns
facile use of English, and she is likely tt
learn Spanish or perhaps German. 1t Is
no uncommon thing for our litue creole tt
speak well three or four languages In
her going and coming from school she
must be accompanied by servant on
some grown person. This is an lneXofablt
rule of all creole schools, the miStres:
feeling personal responsibility for he1
pupils from the time they leave home
until they again set foot within it. Amer
lean children must also conform to Thu
rule, else they will not be received.
GRABBED N SONG.
The little creole takes naturally Il
music, for she has been Graded in song
it is mothers milk to her; her earliest lul
labies have been operate airs She dali.
hears discussions as to the relative merit
and beauty of this opera and that, Of thu
eXcellencies and deficiencies of the sing
Her parents attend the opera at least ono
a week, and oftener when possible, even /
the entailed expense must mean very plall
living. No musical heresies ever meet he
ears. Wagnerian music is tabooed, bu
French and Italian opera, ''Oh, clel. com
ice ellie est ravissante,n She imbibes tn
good natured contempt of her people 70
the american stage, but she frequentl
accompanies her parents TO theiT own be
loved French theatre.
BY easy steps the little maid has reaches
the age when she must make her frs
,er,
, morn will she be the center of as muc
interest and loving attention as upon tn;
day. 1t is fete which after the solem
religious ceremonial is celebrated wit
feasting, while gifts are bestowed upo
, the young girl by ali of her family cor
, nections. II is now time for her to 90 {
, the convent 10 finish her education. Sh
NAV attend as a weekly boarder any on
of the numerous converts within the city
:. she may, Notwithstanding tears and RI
monstrances, be forced TO submit 70 th
,, rigorous discipline of the Ursuline mona;
terry. Within those walls she can hold Il
communication with the world, save o
special days, when friends may visit hel
. Small consolation for when they see he
!, a grim iron grating interposes itself b,
, tween her and her beloved ones. All pre-:
ents Of fruit and other dainties must b
= impartially divided between classmate'
Within this cloister have been educated
. all probability her mother, grandmothe
: and great Standardization Baza
:, A Popular Error.
. There s popular prejudice that il II
stones CT cherries are swallowed II wi
obriste the danger Of intestinal disturb
ance Which this fruit is liable to caus