The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-19
GIRL LIFE IN MEXICO.
She nas Considerable Freedom. but q Is
of the Right Kind

of the Right Kind.
McXican home life is unique 1t diff
fcrs very essentially from the domestic
life of tho A%ylo- Saxon race. for /, is
founded on respect for parents. The in
fucncc of the Catholic church is powcr-
ful i'll maintaining Il high grade Of FAM
lily behavior. There is Il sweetness; and
II charm about u well ordered Mexican
home which is y revelation to northern
people who have imbibcd false idea of
matters here. The women of the best
Mexican families arc naturally Of :. gen
tie disposition, but they command obc-
dicncc, and rarely spoil their sons.
whom they idolizc. There are cxccp-
tions, but they are not enough TO break
down tho general social discipline.
AS for the girls, no reputable Mcxi-
can father or mother would allow for "A
moment the thought of permitting :.
girl of any age to be on the streets aftc,
dark unless accompanied by an older
person, Il trusted servant or elder broth
en- So, even among girls of the humber
class, there is no street strolling in the
evening. They may, in warm weather.
20 to the alameda, or public park, when
there is IL band concert, but ALWAYS UNI
der escort. They may go to Il tertulia.
or evening party. but with some COM
pctcnt person. They may dance mildly
fiirt, on such occasions, but they are al
ways under the watchful eye of Il rcla-
tive. There is plenty OF proper freedom
tor young girls, and u larger liberty in
the cities than formerly. but they are
noC allowed 10 run about without escort
aud Il very careful eye is kept upon
thom by parents and relatives. even to
distant male cousins. Such = thing as "A
young girl or young woman of any
character or family being upon the
street ut night, alone and unattended. i.
unknown. Your daughter goes to visit
Il friend i'll The afternoon and STAYS to
tea. Then the gentleman ana lady of
the house, the gentleman alone or an
old servant brings her home So the
streets Of this big town are mover the
scene of foolish, Eighty girls being fol-
lowed and picked up 10y strangers.
And as for mon who insult young
girls and women, the remedy is usually
sudden and fatal one. In mildcr cases
the newspapers give minute dissertations
Of the 'satyr' who has insultcd "a lady.
and the public is asked to take warning.
Ono fellow, who, in an interior city.
made al insulting remark about Il lady
standing at window. was conducted to
the alameda. and. in view of the chief
part Of the town : best society, was held
down on II Stone bench and cancd until
he yelled fer mercy, and was then or
dcrcd out Of town on the next train lie
went. lii another city IL male Teacher.
who was ''tco fresh in his conduct to-
wand young girl pupils, was waited on
10y Il dcputation of gentlemen and asked
to favor the city by his permanent ab-
sCncc He too, went
The etiquette regarding the protection
Of women from molcstation and insult
Is such as prevails i'll the southern states
of the American Union. There is no
1uoling on the streets, i'll the thcatcrS
and public places with respectable won,-
cl. There Is something left here of the
old Spanish idea of the sacrctlncss OF
wonanhood and the line is sharply
drawn between honest women and the
other kind.-BoSton Herald