The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-12
NINE WOMEN TO ONE MAN.
Result of a Long War IN a Peaceful and
Luxurious Country.

Boston Transcript
Paraguay is surely ono of the most favored
lands on earth. There, he says. no insane love
of gold compels the heart to questionable deeds.
No political situation harnesses the mind The
very atmosphere treathes peace. The air is
soft and balmy, inviting to repose. and prolific
ment OF rich vegetation, supplies man with all
The needs, and beauties all that his eyes rest
upon. Paraguay is, indeed. almost q fairyland
of romance. SO beautiful are its manifold At
is a remnant of the tribe of Guarani
Indians, one of the Hottest tribes
In the grade OF civilization of all
the American race. But nothing astonishes the
tponderance of the female over the male popula-
ftion. The proportion is something like nine TO
one. This is the result of q long and very fierce
war. in which the Guaranians followed and sup
tported a cruel and ambitious ruler through in
describable hardships and sufferines This war
ended only with the death OK the man who waged
it, and has reduced the whole population to
ABOUT onesixth of what it was twenty years ago.
leaving only women and boys. These women
t(this writer continues) are as beautiful and fair
20 look upon as can be found in any part OF the
world.
They are of medium height, rather slight and
sithe, with finely nodded limbs, small, pretty
hands and feet, and figures OF matchless grace
and beauty that would serve for models of the
sculptor's art. Their. carriage is so easy and
natural IS to be almost the poetry OF motion. for
the freedom from hieh-heeled boots aud tight
clothing has left their step light. supple and
strong. Their dress is Of the simplest form; .
short tunic or robe not unlike q
skirt falling TO below the knees, and .
shoulder covering not unlike a shawl-both
Of pure white and adorned with pretty native
lace. They are gracefully worn. and bewitch-
inely serve to half reveal and half conceal the
form beneath. In the midday siesta they are
fond Of lying languidly in their hammocks, sip
ping their mate and singing In their low, sweet
voices, yet sad and with . touch of melancholy,
the "narsncaros." or songs Of the orange gath
ersrs. or those other strange weird songs or
thsirs whose words ara all OF love. Indeed,
what need 20 do aught else In . land 20 blessed
ss theirsl
Living entirely upon fruits and vegetables
that are secured with but little effort; unmoved
by the ambitious schemes of the m~oney-mskinR
Europeans. upon whom they look with question
ing wonder, and possessed of languid. voluptuous
natures that are fostered by the climate. what
else should they do save love, and dance. ard
singl Dancing 10 their only pastime, and into
that they throw the whole spirit OF their
Joyous nature. The slightest excuse is
all that is necessary for getting MP q ball,
at which the whole neighborhood at
once The girls and women are
dressed only in the robes described The men
wear white linen trousers and red ponchos- The
dances are in quaint original hgures, but nearly
always very graceful. Sometimes the festivi-
ties will be kept up through the entire night,
after which the participants Will gaily return to
their occupations. Of whatsoever nature, always
contented, always happy. Sometimes there will
be a grand contribution picnic. at some distant
point. where the dancing will be kept up the
round OF q whole twenty-four hours. For truly
these people live but to be happy through the
liyelong day.
After reading this one is not surprised TO hear
that many visiting Europeans. Englishmen
among the rest. have settled down IN the coun-
try. aWho would not rather become g lotus
eater among the lotus-eaters. and settle down
upon. the sunny hillside or shady river banks
amid fragrant and fruitful orange groves. to
forget q regretted past, and live only IN the hap
by present. waited upon by the simple white.
robed Indian woman-devoted. afectionate and
surprisingly fairF