Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-10-29
THE QUAINT Amos RACE.
The Women Are Massive In Appearance
and Wear Silky Mustaches.

and Wear Silky Mustaches.
TIE world of science has just been
reused to unusual interest by report
Of the Commercial Geographical society
Of France, giving details concerning
race Of mustached white women who
inhabit the island Of Yeso, one Of the
northwest Of the japanese group The
facts which the report furnishes are
those learned by \ NJ. Klabukowski,
an explorer and delegate Of the society,
who has recently returned from a visit
to the strange people described.
The existence Of the Amos, as the
race to which these women belong L.
called. has long been known to ethnol-
ogists, but NJ. Klabukowski has the
honor Of being the first explorer Of mod
ern times to penetrate the country and
look upon it and its people with the
keen eye Of the ethnologist He is be-
hevod to be the only white man who
has gained full information concerning
the women, whose mustaches are equal
to those ever worn by any member Of
their race.
The explorer reports that these wom-
en- are massive in appearance, and in
fact, appear to better physical advan-
tage than the men. They have high
cheek bones and are distinctly Cauca-
sian. They do not have that CHASTITY
yellOwish complexion characteristic Of
the Chinese and japanese, but rather
bear every appearance Of white women
who have lived much in the open air.
Their mustaches, when natural, are al
ways black and silky and are invariably
turned up at both ends.
1t seems that not every one can grow
a mustache What is the cause Of this
fact no one apparently knows. There is
not even a native explanation, except
the one found in the statement that the
mustache is an indication Of the caste
or rank Of the owner thereof.
The pcculiarity isall the more strange
for the reason that the Amos are de-
cidedly hairy race, their whole bodies
being generally covered with hair that
is naturally soft and silky. If, howev-
en-. one Of the women passes the age OF
II with no trace Of mustache appear
ing. her parents take it for granted that
nature has tabooed her so far as mus
tachos are concerned and proceed "a
supply the defect, in appearance, at
least. By the aid Of tattooing. The skill
which these people possess Of initiating
the mustachc by these means is remark
able. Indeed, at a distance it is almost
impossible to tell whether or not the
mustache is genuine or imitation.
Woman among the Amos is an in
ferior being. All heavy work, including
that of the field. is reserved for her In
childhood between and 10 her counte-
nance possesses a certain charm. After
that time the burden Of life becomes
Of such q nature that in measure ii
unsexcs what should be the fair sex.
Once married, the mustached woman
is more than ever the slave Of the beard
ed man. She has not even the right tC
pray. Notwithstanding the portion Of
the woman in the house Is not 50 hard
as might be imagined She possesses, IL
fact. a means Of defense which Is special
t. herself She can. when she is angered-
transform her countenalice into a nor
riIle mask. having as a maker Of grim
aces an inimitabie talent.
Her husband cannot ignore the fact
that this pcrverso and musiached crea
ture without honor or religion viii
hesitate at nothing; that, if she is toe
badly treated. she can do him an Ill turn
that She may. for example, serve hin
in the guisc Of venison several pieces OF
dead bodies. or, when she Is very seri
Gus, burn his amulets. The Amos, how
ever. as she becomes old. succeeds LITTLE
Ly little in inspiring a sort Of reyeren
tial fcar.-Dcnycr Republican.