Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-07
MOORISH WIVES.
Not Such Complete Slaves to Their
Lords as Has Been Supposed.

The Moslem women are not such complete
slaves to their husbands as is generally sup
posed, says the Cornhin Magazine. Moorish
officer we took to Jeddah from Tangier had his
wife with him. She was his only wife, and,
though only eighteen years of age, had been
married to him five years and had had three
children, one of whom was dead and the other
two alive and left behind at their home in Fee,
whence they came. He had twice before
performed the pilgrimage to Mecca, and each
time had been accompanied by his young wife.
This time they we're taking her mother with
them, and. indeed, the thoughtful and consid-
crate way in which he treated them occa-
stoned me q good DEAF of surprise. This
bigoted Mussulman-looked upon by his
European brethren as jealous tyrant of
women, one utterly incapable Of
approaching their higher qualities and merely
using them as means wherewith to crafty his
coarse passions-could certainly have shamed
many OF them in this matter. The ship was
lying in the bay about mile from the city OF
Tangier. The sea WAS running pretty high, and
long before they came alongside both ladies
were very sick. Gently he lifted them on board
and laid them down in q quiet corner, while he
rushed about to seek the best place on deck
whereon to fix his tent. Then he tore open his
packages and drew out from them carpets and
pillows and curtains and in a short while q
well-ftted tent was ready and into it he carried
the two women and laid them down and made
them comfortable. There they lay till the next
day. as much like two bundles of clothes as
anything else, for even their faces and hands
were invisible, and really believe they did not
move once, although in q few hours, soon as
We had got through the straits and entered the
Mediterranean, the sea became perfectly calm
and great deal of their indisposition must
have been of that imxplicable nature
which would have tried the patience
of many a Christian husband considerably.
But he busted himself about and Lit q FIRE, and
presently turned out q nice little dinner, and
didn't lose his temper bit because they would
have none Of it, but only gazed sorrowfully at
the provisions that were to be wasted. Then
he made them some tea and then some coffee,
and left nothing untried in the whole category
of things to make them comfortable, patiently
sitting there tanning them, or anon starting up
to get them some water or any other thing
they might want. When, the next morning,
the ladies had been induced to look over the
side OF the ship and had convinced themselves
that the sea was as calm as IL possibly could be
and that therefore they could not any longer
be sick. then did they bestir themselves and do
their proper work in attending to the house
and doing the cooking. They took great
pride in making the tent look clean and neat,
and altogether they seemed very happy
couple.
These pilgrims scrambled on board with
great agility and with no regard whatever for
dignity or decency. A ladder, of course, 10
always welcome, but II one is not handy they
are quite capable Of swarming mp ropes or
climbing up the sides. If the women are UNI
able to help themselves they are handed up
like any other bundles. For an hour or two
after the decks give one the idea Of pande-
mouium of yelling demons. Everybody seems
TO be fighting with everybody else; screams Of
distress, yeiis Of furious anger, threats and
prayers, curses and blessings succeed each
other in bewildering and ludicrous confusion.
The gesticuiation 10 startling. Arabs certainly
excel Frenchmen in this accomplishment The
disturbance while il lasts is something awful.
and is produced by the search after and identi-
fcation OF baggage and selection Of sites
for erecting tents or spreading carpets
Women are no less forward in this
business than they are In any other.
even among M. One fat old negress
we took up at Tangier came on board and in
stantly took fancy TO part Of the deck which
three grave, long-bearded Moors had taken
ppssession Of the night before. Furiously she
&dered them away and, - ct first they seeued
too much lost in establishment TO comply With
her modest request, abe proceeded 70 give them
practical demonstration of her meanine bv
preparing TO pull up the carpets on which they
were citing. On this they sfartsd mp and mot
only let her take the best spot for herself and
her husband, who stood BY looking on In half
frightened manner, but also served her submis-
sively IN bringing up her boxes and nassing
them around her, While she squattsd on hsf
haunchas and treated them - hse VIEW q
things In general.