The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-08-04
A HOME IN INDIA



Whore Comsert, ~ We Undsrstsnd It, Il
Comparatively Unknowp.
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 sort of arcade or veranda Within
1t three or four mountaineering the
loose trousers of the Mussulman woman.
and colored sarees like the Hindus-
and several young girls. They were
not handsome. being rather OF the
thick-lipped Nubian type; but several
Of them. rs especially the elder women.
who teaches in the little school, looked
intelligent, and they received us with
courtesy and apparent pleasure. The
children from outside were not present.
a circumstance for which the elder
woman apollo gized; but she brought
forward her own children to be
examined. and they acquitted them
selves with credit, reading fiuently from
an Indian primer, and answering all the
questions my friend put to them.
This family, poor as their surround
ings seemed to be, enjoys moderate
prosperity. Comfort. as we understand
it. is unknown in Indian homes.
Our next visit was to a Hindu
family of the poorer class. Our scram-
BILE over rubbish heaps and drains
recommended. and landed us at the
foot of break-neck fight of stairs.
which. when we had assembled, we came
upon the funniest little corner of the
world in which it has ever been my lot
to find myself. 1t was part of a house.
but what part Of it was, one found it
difficult to make out To me it seemed
like balcony or ledge hung on the
side of the house. On one side guarded
by high parapet. it was open to the
sky, and looked down on a large bare
court, while on the other side was
range of untidy-looking cupboards and
cells.
In this curious nest little flock of
women. young and old. with few chill
dren were gathered together. They
received us with the utmost courtesy
Ga grace that never deserts the Hindu
at home) set for us the wicker stools
that are kept for visitors. and, drawing
their sarees about them, squatted
round us after their fashion. One and
another in the meantime, were pour
ing out little calculations of welcome.
which my friend. who is fluent
speaker of Hindustani. answered smil-
ingly. Presently there came out from
a small enclosure, which was more like
n bathing machine than any thing else
1 can think of. young and very pretty
woman. with a small baby in her arms.
The little creature who appeared to be
the latest arrival in the crowded nest,
was handed round. kissed. praised and
commented upon. while the young
mother stood by smiling. Learned upon
inquiry she was eighteen years of age.
and that this was her fourth child.
The baby having received the fitting
amount of attention, bright little
girl. with eyes as brilliant rs stars. was
brought forward to read her lesson.
She was only seven years old. and her
readiness. intelligence and pretty. win
some manner made her one OF the
most bewitching little creatures ever
beheld. while must say that no En-
glish child of her years could have sur
passed her in knowledge. Other little
ones. who were not so brilliant, fol-
lowed, and then the women took their
turn. spelling out the Indian primer
patiently.-Quiver.