The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-12-30
LIFE in YucATAN.
Whore an Indolsnt Indifference TO Pover-
ty Exists.


ty Exists.
In . big rocking-chair the visitor ap.
peared shrunken and CHASTITY. She
had called to place herself at our serv.
ice; we were neighbors; If there was
| anything that she or her daughters
could do for us they would be most
happy; we must consider their house,
their belongings and themselves en-.
tirely our own possessions. She was
q widow; her only son passed our
| house twice day on his way to aud
from business--he was an opticiab-
and we must consider him entirely at
our service; he would do for us any
thing we required
We expressed our profound graft
tude. and hoped that the lady would
likewise consider us altogether at her
service.
About nine o'clock next morning the
sonora made us second visit. ''Could
we lend her the trifiing sum OF six reals
(seventy-five cents)?" ut was most
painful to have to ask favor of such
recent acquaintance, but her son had
been disappointed in little matter Of
business.
With the Joan and her dignity the
lady returned to her hungry family.
At twilight the borrowed guitar
sounded as frisky as ever, and Dona
Concha was at our window again, only
now she was on the inside.
''Can those girls do anything besides
singing?" we asked.
"Oh, yes; they make their own gar
ments. You ought to see them when
carnival comes round; the silly things
will starve to save the little medios
(six and one-half cents) to dress for
these balls Cheap muslin ard ribbon
is all they can get; but they make
themselves pretty. Poor thingsl Carni-
val is the only pleasure they have in
their whole life"
An idea struck us "Would either
of those girls come here and do some
dressmaking?'
Dona Concha at once went to inquire.
She soon returned.
Yes, Chanita can come if Won show
her how to do things; she can not cut
out or prepare work. but is willing to
help you a few hours, and asks only six
reals day."
She came and worked, more or less,
generally asking payment in advance
to buy corn for those at home. She
ate with us strong, hearty meals that
wrought rapid improvement in her APP
pearance. About the tenth day her
mother came to say that Chanita would
not go on working; it taxed her
strength too severely to sew for GER
tain number of hours each day.
What became of those girls? Well,
the last time we saw them they were
seated just outside the door of their
house, playing the borrowed guitar and
trilling love-songs, while the moon
beams fingered among their glossy
tresses decked with tuberoses that per-
fumed the air. If they gave one thought
to the future no one could perceive it.
Most likely they had eaten little that
day, and had not a cent in their posses
sion. such being the usual state of the
family pocket; and yet their apparent
ioyousness benefited all who came with
In its atmosphere.
ear we asked ourselves: Which is most |
70 be avoided-this indolent, cheerful |
Indifference to perjury, or the unceas-
ng, irritating struggle fol more? In |
the first case there is a lamentable lack |
IT ambition and effort: in the second |
here is an absence of meditation and
'espose- Activity is laudable but ex-
and there is no more rapid |
way OF recuperating than by permit
ing ones self a complete relaxation;
lot only cessation, but forgetfulness of /
oil. 1t is possible to be too industrious,
md those who have such a tendency
night lengthen their lives and be more
n harmony with themselves and those
lround them by cultivating just little
ndolence.-Harper's Bazaar.