Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-15

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copyright, 1899. by the Author.]
| V.
/ Woman's sphere of usefulness in Cuba
is limited absolutely to the confines Of
her home, to the duties Of wife, moth
er and housewife. r..
There are no shopgirls in Cuba, no
barmaids, ~ flower girls, no telephone
girls, no typewriters, no mattresses
All those positions are filled by men.
1t is considered indicate and immodest
for women to hold places that may
bring them in contact with men.
Even in the hotels there are no cham
bermaids. It would be considered posi-.
lively immoral for woman servant to
enter the apartment, make the bed and
straighten mp the room of male ledger.
There are but two occupations for q
mountaineering and washing. They
can be engaged in at home!
The result is that before STOPPING 90
low as to work q woman is forced BY
the existing customs of the country to
do the more modest thing and turn her.
self bodily out on the sidewalks to beg
for living. As one Of the blessings
accruing from American occupation
woman will be emancipated. placed on
an even social footing with man and
taught that there is no discredit, no in
delicacy, in working and earning an
honest living, and the Cuban man will
be taught to respect her for SO doing.
The innovation will also go far toward
\ monding and purifying the morals Of
the male population, who have neve.
been taught to regard woman as their
equal, but merely as o slave and instru-
ment of pleasure, commodity, not
helpmate.
The recent emigration of Cubans to
this country has already begun to make
its beneficent influence felt on the is
land, and already many young, we'll
! educated women of good families in re-
duced circumstances have begun teach
ing Spanish to the foreigners who ar
rive in Cuba in increasing numbers.
Another new departure for Cuban
women, also traceable to their recent
sojourn in the United States, is the
wearing Of hats and.bonnets. Formerly
feminine headgear, was anaknAAown
! quHutitysin Cuba. The only head COW
erings worn by Cuban women ON the
streets. driving, or at the theater were
mantillas gracefully draped over their
heads and loosely thrown over their
shoulders. This departure consequently
opens up another field of usefulness to
woman. the millinery field. But SD large
and SO varied will the outlet for WON
an S energy and activity become In Gu
ba during the next year or two with the
advent of a new civilization that to
discuss or describe it would be- idle.
More interesting reading is desorip-
ton of her present existence, her occu-
pations and her pleasures.
The upper classes are cosmopolitan in
their tastes and habits. They are very
exclusive, but very hospitabIe within
their own circle are we'll educated,
we'll informed and enjoy the pleasures
Of the Weather classes anywhere. They
entertain a great deal, are very fond Of
theaters and music, and ride, dri We and
go abroad in the summer.
The select few, however, cannot be
said to reflect the life and manners Of
the country. The student Of human ma
ture must observe the middle class to
get his impressions.
Among this class the most serious o.
cupation as we'll as the most absorbing
pleasure is lovemaking.
Once married, the sole aim Of a wom-
,G k~rc nj sp rko
she settles down to life Of vegetation,
gives up the practice of whatever &C.
oonplishment she may have had, such
as singing playing or painting, and ao-
cepts the inevitable in loose Mother
Hubbard and aspirit Of resignation.
Her great period Of activity is while
she is in quest Of husband. Tbs activ-
ity consists in constant dashes to the
street window and more or less tedious
,iingeriDgs st tina: window watching
the passersby, whom she ogles and firts
with from behind the grills Of her
bower.
If the fellow she fancies Catches, -
he will by and by make bold enough to
walk up to the window and engage his
fair s'enamorada" in converse tion, re-
turning there innumerable times dur
ing the day and evening to whisper
sweet nothings and tender words of
love.
Thus do all Cuban courtships start
After awhile, upon the young lady's
recommendation and at her earnest
solicitation, the ardent sutton is asked
into the house by the head Of the fam
ily cross examined as to his intentions
and graciously permitted to continue
his wooing under cover, hut never out
Of sight or earshot of father or mother,
who exercise great vigilance and rob
the game of lovemaking of all its spice
and sweetness.
In no class of society in Cuba is a
young lady allowed the liberty that an
American girl enjoys. She may not go
to- the theater, to ball or any public
function unless under her fathers or
mothers protection. Her own brother
is net deemed sufficiently worthy es-
| cOrt: much less would she he nermitted