The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-03

less or footless stockings the upper part OF the
foot being bare. This is done apparently fol
economy. as wooden Shoes wear out stockings
rapidly. The peasant woman In question
chartered OF England. OF Professionalism. and
many other topics before bidding the stranger
good night. There was no restraint on her
part and no familiarity. She talked nuently
and naturally. Just as one flrst-class lady trav-
eller In a railway train might talk to fellow
passenger. Yet here tho author had undoubt-
eddy como in contact with tho most modest
phase Of peasant proprietorshin.
A step higher In the social scale she met
with an instance OF tho levellinE process
characteristic OF overy stage OF French so
ciety. yet hardly to DO looked for In remote
Pyreneean village. In ono OF hor afternoon
rambles che overlook q peasant woman and
accepted an invitation to accompany hcr
home Her thin white feet in toeless stock
ings and sabots her well-worn woollen petit
coat and black stun Jacket. aud her head gear.
which consisted OF an old black silk handker-
chief would havo suggested anything but the
truth to the uninitiated. Here again the un-
wary stranger might have fumbled in his
pocket for a spare coin. This peasant woman
also had an intelligent. kindly face. and spoke
volubly IN patois. having very little command
OF French. Indeed. 1t was necessary for the
author to converse through tho medium OF an
interpreter. On approaching tho village the
pair wero overtnken by n slight. handsome
youth conducting n muck wagon. This was
the peasant woman's younger son. and his
easy. we'll bred greeting and correct French
prepared the author for tho piece OF intelli-
gonce which followed. This wearer Of q peas
ants garb. cnrting manure. had passed his
examination for the degree OF Bachelor OF Arts
nnd Sclence-that Is to say. had received the
education Of gentleman.
The farmhouse in which these peasants
lived was large and. contrary to the usual GUS
tom in tho Pyrenees. stood apart from the
stables and cowsheds. the kitchen and out
house being on the ground floor. while the
young mems bedrooms were above. The au-
thor's hostess slept in q largo curtainod four
poster. occupying corner OF the Kitchen.
handsome wardrobe OF solid oak stood in Il
conspicuous place. but held only n portion Of
the family linen These humble housewives
count their sheets by the dozens OF dozens.
and linen is still spun at home. although
not on the scale OF former days. While tho
author was resting hor entertainer brought
out walnuts. home brewed wine. somewhat
sour to tho unaccustom ell palate. and. as cor
receive. HON c- made brandy. which. with sugar
formed an agreeable liqueur. Tho author was
also asked to taste the broad made OF wheat
and mnize flour mixed. She found it a heavy.
ciammy compound. but was told that 1t was
very nutritious Tho kitchen floor had an UNI
secured look. but was clean swept and on the
shelves stood rows OF earthen and copper
cooking vessels. and water jars made OF BRASS
bound yew wood. stained. 1t must DO added
that Just opposite the front door lay a large
heap OF farmhouse manure awaiting transfer
to the pasture. Tho property shared by this
widow and her two sons consisted OF be-
tween 1--WE and six acres. made up Of arabic
land and meadows. They kept four cows.
four mares for purposes OF horse breeding. and
a little poultry.
The authors next visits were paid on Sun
day afternoon. when everybody is at homo to
friends and neiGhhors. Her first call was
upon an elder OF Protestant church. one
OF the wealthiest peasants Of the community
The farmhouse was on the usual Pyreneean
plan. stables and cattle houses occupying the
ground floor. while an outer wooden staircase
led to the kitchen. parlor. and bedrooms.
The peasant owner. dressed in black cloth
trousers. black alpaca blouse and spotlessy
ironed linen. received his visitor with great
cordially and the ease Of a well-bred man.
His mother lived with him. charming old
woman. like himself peasant born. but hay
ing excellent manners She wore the tradi-
tional black hood OF aged and widowed
Huguenot women, and her dauChter-in-
law and little granddaughter were attired
in neat stun gowns and had colored
cashmere kerchiefs tied under the chin.
The author was first ushered into q vast
kitchen. or Living ROOM" as 1t would be
called in some parts OF England. This. with
every other part OF the house. was in apple
pie order. Large oak presses. with rows
OF earthen and copper cooking vessels. and
an enormous flour bin, with plain deal table
and some chairs. made up the furniture.
From one part Of the ceiling hung large guam
titles OF ears Of Indian corn to dry. In this
kitchen bread is baked once week. and all
tho cooking and meals take place. Leading
out of the kitchen was the first salon. or draw
ing room. the author had ever seen in a peasant
farmers house. A handsome tapestry table
cover. chimney ornaments. mirrors. sofas. arm
chairs and rugs betokened not only considera-
bio means. but taste Tho visitor was next
invited to inspect the grandmothers bed
chamber. which was furnished with every
modern comfort. white toilet covers and bed
quilt, window curtains. a rug and washstand
The room Of tho master and mistress was on
the same plan. only much larger. and IN I'M
looked for feature caught tho eye. This was n
towel horse. q luxury seldom seen in France.
except in Lrand-new hotels. AS u rule tho
towel is hung in the cupboard. Tho owner Of
peasant, who prided himself on being SO. and
had no intention of bringing up his children to
any other condition. His farm consisted OF
only a few hectares Ia hcctaro is about two and
half acres). but was very productive. Four
or flvo COWS. as many horses for breeding pur-
poses. few shcop. pigs. and poultry made up
his stock All that tho author saw OF this fam
fly gavc her high notion OF their intelligence.
morality. thrift. and benevolcnce. All spoke
very feelingly Of their animals and OF the duty
OF human beings toward the animal world in
general. The excuse made in Italy and Brit
tany for cruelty to dumb beasts. they are not
Christians" finds no acceptance among those
mountaineers
The authors second Sunday visit brought
her into contact with tho bourgeois element.
The farmhouse. OF much better appearance
than any ofthe others she had described. stood
in the village. The holding was about the size OF
that Just mentioned. I. O.. II few hectares. The
young mistress was dressed in conventional
garb. and had passed IN examination at q
girls lyc6c. emitting her to the highest certih.
cate: her husband wore the dres, OF
country panflomap Tina drowip0 room,