Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-08-20

Mdudule,
A dusky, white-robed ayah has
brought tray with tea, toast and fruit
to the bedside and pulled up the white
net curtains that protect the sleeper
from the bloodthirsty mosquito and
now waits to assist at her mistress
toilet. 1t is o'clock and time to be-
gin the day. Unused to the services Of
a maid at home, the girl experiences a
sense Of luxury in having her stock
ings put on for her--even though one Is
sure to be inside out. She also begins
to realize q sense of her own impor-
lance, for in India she Is distinctly a
parsonage, and women are probably
at higher premium there than in any
other civilized country. The arrival Of
a new spin" (as the unmarried girl is
colloquially termedD is the cause Of
much excitement in an Indian station,
and everybody is on the alert to see
the latest addition to feminine society.
The day usually begins with a visit
to the badminton courts and there the
girl will run the gauntlet Of criticism
from large portion Of her neighbors,
for it is a favorite meeting place. The
ladies eagerly scan every detail OF her
dress; being fresh from home she
must, of course, have the newest fash
ions, and later on they will ask for
blouses, etc., as patterns. There are
also plenty Of candidates of the oppo-
site sex eager to teach her badminton
and everyones racket is at her dis
posal. At 8 o'clock it is too hot for
further play and they drive home for
bath and breakfast. The bath, with
its water cooled in large earthenware
jars, is delightfully."- refreshing and the
tin mug wherewith to bale it over ones
person Is distinct novelty. Breakfast
is meal Of many courses, commencing
with porrldge and ending with fruit.
After breakfast the housekeeping has
to be seen to and this seems an easy
matter to the girl accustomed to that
duty at home, for it simply consists of
giving orders to the numerous servants
and dealing out the timed Europe
stores. Then there are flowers to be
arranged and at 70 o'clock callers be-
gin to arrive. The servant in the We
randa inquiries If the mem sahib be
"at home" and brings up a pile OF
cards on a salver. Carriage follows
carriage in quick succession, for every
body in the station is anxious to make
the new arrivals acquaintance. Only
the governors wife and the generals
do not come, for it will be the girls
duty to leave cards upon these impor-
tant personages. The bachelors of the
station arrive in groups of twos and
threes, thereby lending each other their
moral support should they feel nervous,
but they are all eager to meet and con-
verse on current topics with the spin"
They inquire whether she dances or is
fond Of riding, and If the answer be
affirmative beg for a place on her card
at the first ball and put their ponies at
her disposal. By Q o'clock tiffin, a rep
etition of breakfast, is ready, and after
this meal people retire to their rooms
to read and a siesta is generally in
dulged in.
After tea everybody goes out. They
drive to the band-stand, where the regi-
mental band plays there is lawn ten
mis- for the energetic, or garden parties
at the club or messhouse, and the new
arrival will be struck by the all-per-
vading air of luxury. Servants are in
constant attendance, the carriages are
filled with comfortable cushions and
every tennis player has a small dark
boy at his elbow ready to hand him
balls. At 8 o'clock dinner takes place
and when there are no dances or even
ing entertainments everyone goes ia
bed early.
Certainly the daughter in India has a
really good time. Invitations to dances
dinners and entertainments come rap
idly for acceptance and If she can sing
or act she will be in great demand.
Everywhere the preponderance of men
strikes her and they vie with each other
in providing her with amusements. AT
the races and shooting matches they
ask her to nominate" them, when, II
her nominee wins, she will receive the
Prize. The constant balls and dances
are rendered gay by innumerable uni
forms, and the large proportion Of men
makes that hardy perennial The wall
flower, an impogsibility, and every girl
with the falntest idea of dancing has
her card filed to the twentieth extra.
Before the hot season, with It's saorch-
ing winds, makes an exodus to the hills
general, she will have had ceyeral pro-
posals to exchange her position OF
daughter for that Of wife, for though
spins on their first soason ere plcnti-
ful, those in their second are rarer, and
those in their third are hardly to be
met with. Marriage is Q thriving in
stitution in India, in spite Of the van
ishing rupee.
Although the life of girl in India is
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