The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-30

every time the LadrOne ladies came
aboard TO inspect the ship. Culinary
articles OF all sorts and shining bits OF
cutlery or tinware We're tucked away
in the folds OF the ladies' garments.
while the male Ladrones limited their
operations to heavier articles. such
as axes. lances and the similar pOrta-
bles.
Now, going TO housekeeping in n land
such as that ought 10 be very simple
thing: but. unfortunately. there Is
nothing in the subsequent history or
present manners OF the people TO show
that they ever We're pilferers, and the
thievishness of the Ladrone islanders
must be classed with other historical
! fictions OF the early explorers. like FL
Dorado. the golden city. and De Icons
fountain OF perpetual youth.
At the present day the women OF the
Ladrones are a charming. light heart
ed lot. beautiful in their youth with
their golden brown compilations. soft
brown eyes and silky black hair. The
matrons OF the island. smiling. good ma
tured and plump. have lost most Of
their beauty by middle age. but their
general kindliness Of expression makes
up for any loss in mere physical at
fractions Of line and color.
Simple. cheerful and hospitable. the
home of the average islander is like
those Of most natives Of the tropics. lit
tie more than a thin wall and a palm
matched roof TO keep out the rain. In
the Ladrones it rains every day. Clothes
| spread out on grass plots to dry there
fore seldom escape a second dampening
about midday. fact that does not in
the least disturb the laundresses. as
the rays Of the sun are so warm that
they are soon dried off and are indeed
whittier than ever.
Most of the inhabitants wear few
clothes. and so the weekly washings
are not of such alarming proportions as
| one might imagine in SO warm a
climate.
The natives OF the islands are the
Chamorros. a people resembling the
Philippine islanders in many respects.
| The Caucasians who have visited the
Ladrones have married and intermar-
ried with the natives until the proper
ton of Chamorros is now very small.
| The houses Of the Spaniards are lit
tie more elaborate than those OF the
/ Chamorros. A typical middle class
dwelling is built with a thick stone wall
/ on the ground floor. through which Is
cut the large entrance door. The rooms
are unfoored. the earth being trampled
hard The first floor is about seven
| feet from the ground. Rude steps OF
hewn logs lead 70 II. The living room
/ is on the first floor and is as rule COW
cred with rough hewn logs OF mahog-
any The end OF the house has a gal
IIery built outside beneath the overhang-
\ ing roof. and II is there in the shade Of
the banana and pineapple or palm trees
/ that the women % the household sit 10
/ do their sewing and TO gossip.
| There is not much need 10 toll and
/ spin in the Ladrones. A man who has
4 four or five breadfrUit or banana trees -
comfortably provided with food for I've.
and a man with a grove Of breadfruit
I trees is rich beyond the dreams Of av-
srice-that is. according 70 the Ladrone
standard A few hours each day -
sufficient 20 put the grove In a desira-
/ Die state OF cultivation. 4 house that
will serve for a lifetime residence. pro-
vided the tropical storms Do not wreck
I Il. can be put up in half day
/ The receptions az the governors man
sion when friendly warships put into
port were the leading social events OF
the Islands. A dance. or a fandanEo. a.
( u is called. is the merrymsking u the
common people.
The invitations for the dance are L.
sued By word OF mouth The younger
ladies' appear at the festivity Eowned in
white and wearing flowers IN their Jet
black hair. Both men and women
lounge about the walls q the ballroom
smoking cigarettes until the dance nnu-
sic begins. They are graceful dancers
Somewhere in the background the host
- presiding over a little room. IN which
wines and other IiQuid refreshments q
a fervid quality are served 10 the men
o. the company.
The supper table f. laid IN a larger
room and is provided with al manner
- fruits. many cakes and cold meats.
There are wine and cigarettes. too. and
every ore eats long ard often The
Snaulsh officers q the town were certain
20 Be present - they got wind - TIE
dance. FOR there r. nothing that 80
charms one q these gallant warriors
as the prospect % something good 20
drink and a dance with some pretty
~enorita The village padre too drops
IN 10 beam benevoieutiy ca his Sex
and e1af Z cup % wire win re
host.
There are schools n fhe LacT0res ~
Der the su-plras - The church. ruf they
are not attended A. fhey shoDi1 ur TIE
happy go lucEy women p fre lsiares
allow IRE children g. ruu E.it unit. exc
e-e-grtl~ padre hunt. 70 ltfie Ms--
Eherlfa ard carries AT demands ttetr
atte1zancs 81 TIRE cate her~zI Cess
5-epaFatcry g. csrfrraaflrn Very c.
v~ut where tsesT Fsaglrn - concerned
are %. I.adr5nes@ ar4 even thcuEh 80
cEss-sr ulzy ~ unable 81 read er vr.rs
they are a. promptly. Whe1 - fas
propsr age. made ussmsers 20 10
church
CAROLINE wETHERELL +