Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-03

1 Mexican. No Moro u allowed BY his
| religion to lay his hand upon q strange
woman. II he does SO in the daytime
| he is fined IS and at night SO. Horse
stealing and cattle stealing are punish
ed severely. Other forms of stealing
are punished according to the previous
record of the criminal. If his record is
! bad he comes under the classification
of "habitual criminal" and the proba-
bility is that his wife will have
chance to marry again in four months
and four days.
A. case happened a week before
arrived in Jolo which illustrated how a
habitual robber Jared. The Datto Jo-
kanine is man of some wealth, which
he keeps buried beneath his house.
Frequently he has occasion to send to
various parts of his domain for money
as tribute, and at these times he has
always sent one of his trusted follow
ers.
One day some time ago this man was
sent to bring the datto certain sum
of money, but when the bag was hand
ed to the datto the trusted follower
flung himself on his knees and con-
fessed that he had lost part of it in
gambling He kissed the datto's hands
and implored forgiveness and promised
never to do SO again, and said that he
was overwhelmed with grief and hui
initiation, etc.
The datto forgave him, but told him
never to let it happen again, for If it
did the punishment would be swift and
terrible.
Well, it happened again on the very
next trip on which the trusted follower
was sent for money. Once more there
were lamentations and appeals and
vows of eternal reformation.
PUNISHMENT OF THE OFFENDER.
Didn't l tell you that I would pun
ish you severely the next time this
happened?" said the datto. Didn't
warn you that you would be killed?
What do you mean?" ETC., Numbered
the datto, as he glared at the penitent
bootlick at his feet.
20 most gracious prince, sun of suns,
king of the universe" ETC., ETC., walled the
hapless subject as he squirmed and cringed
beneath the dattos lowering gaze. 1t was
a long session that time, with the scales
wavering throughout it all, but in the end
the datto said that he'd give him another
chance.
And now comes the part of the story
which illustrates how great are the fasci-
nations of gambling. When the trusted
follower went again for money for MS
master he looked in on little game, and,
forgetful of his dire experiences in the
past, he plunged sufficiently long to light
en- his load of dobe dollars.
Instead of running away, he went back
to the datto and confessed to his shortage
This time there was no argument on
either side. The datto turned to one of his
guards and ordered him to slay the trusted
follower. He then asked If the victim
wished to be blindfolded or had any short
remarks 10 MAKE. AS the ldltSi sow IT.
necessity for the one and no use in the
other, he said something to the effect of
'never mind the guard" An instant later
a. barong sunk into his stomach. almost
dissecting him, and the punishment was
over.
In accordance with the Mohammedan re-
ligion, no intoxicating liquors are drunk
by the Moros and consequently there is
comparatively little quarreing and fight
ing among them.
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE MOROS.
The amusements of the people are few.
They gamble, have horse racing and re-
ligious festivals. Occasionally there is
pig sticking for the hills abound In wild
hogs, and the natives have spear dances
which are rather interesting.
By some arrangement with the Spaniards
the Chinese population of the archipelago,
about GOO in all, were put under the direct
! leadership of a Captain Chinaman. This
leader, who has the power to settle all
petty differences among his people, lives
in Jolo. and is a man of great character.
courteous disposition and infinite benevo-
lence. He rules his people with kindness
and justice, and has made the Chinese
clement of Jolo's population the most
prosperous, thrifty and progressive of its
citizens. JOHN I. McCUTCHEoN.
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An Important Difference.