Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-07-05

; The living people OF the island at this
time are OF all kinds and shades so far as
white and black, red, brown and yellow
may be mixed. A large number OF the
country people, and especially many of
those from certain northeastern dis
trlets, are OF remarkable type and
would appear to be OF distinct race, but
as matter OF fact they are only a TRAN
galar cross breed, IL We may use such an
expression. They became what they are,
and what they have continued to be for
many generations, through "tripie alii-
anee" of the European, the African and
the Carib native Indian.
The Objectionable and most repuislge
features of the African have disappeared,
while honors have been about equally
divided between the white and the Ceribee
progenitors in transmitting the best
features of each to this their mutual off
spring. The forms OF these people are as
perfect as that Of any race in the world ,
the hair is good, the eyes pleasing, and
their color is much like that OF a ripe
banana. There has been good deal OF
gush by strangers regarding them, and
but fer an unconquerable prejudice
against any skin that is not strictly white
l>would admit that they are a rather
handsome tribe.
In centuries back, when the French
planter merchants We're fabuously rich
many OF these creatures were favorite
slayes-dressed and jeweled equal to some
flrt tal a.
days many OF the females are porteuses
carrier girls). They are regular insti
tuition Of the island
THE WORK OF WOMEN
A great part OF the transportation OF
merchandise between seaport and
country, or from town to town, and most
OF the handling OF ships cargoes and the
coaling OF steamers are done by women.
They do nearly all such work as may be
done by bearing burdens upon the head
they practice that mode OF labor more
than men do-hence men do most of the
work hat must be done by hands, arms
aud the strength OF shoulders. Horses
or mules cannot stand the mountain
roads they soon give out and The carts
are always bFeaking- hence it has been
proved thnt the human creature OK bur
den, with the wooden tray upon her head,
IS the surcst, epeediest, cheapest, most
lasting aud reliable OF all modes OF freight
ing over these uniformed lands, with
harassing climate, cold rains on he noun
tains ami broiiiug sun in the seaporta
and valleys.
These country carrier girls are largely
u the superior class mentioned. With
more than leo pounds OF cargo she
walks up hill and down from thirty to
tiity miles day, bringing in country
produce and taking back such things as
the country may need from town. She
may be working for herself or family, but
by far the greater number are hired by
merchants the same as they might hire
teams. The girls travel in pairs or COM
panies for better protection against rob-
berry or abuse, and must always be on
their guard against the fer-de lance.
The chdrbonniere-coa and cargo
girl % is a creature of town-lite and more
OF the negro type. Every pound OF our
cargo is taken from the lighters in the
surf upon the heads of these girls, carried
up the steep beach and then upa sleeper
bank and deposited in the warehouses.
Her arms and hands are swinging freel V
she laughs and sings and is perhaps as
happy rs though she were more nearly
dressed
In all the French, English, Dutch and
Danish West Indies women do such work,
but in Spanish lands never. In no
Spanish country in the world are women
generally employed even in stores or as
walters; there Is nothing she may do
except parts of housemork, washing
eliot hes aud teaching primary classes at
very To- pay. The Spanish customs are
therefore as much against the welfare OF
woman as the practice here OF OVERRIDING
them. When poor and not allowed work
they of course must live some way, and
are less independent OF man than are
these laughing, half-nude creoles, with
their iron muscles and the perfect indie
pendence with which their nineteen cents
a day endow them.
SOCIAL LAWS NOT STRINGENT.
The morals OF these pepie, however, are
not all that we admire and believe in
they have not been taught the higher
ethics of life. Marriage is not a strong
custom, and their unions are rather tenn
porary than permanent. They should
nAEUIy De Ulhliitu II - W Hdt lHG NuIie
man taught them in the days OF slavery,
and perhaps also more easily meets the
views and desires Of such all impulsive
race.
There is socially no distinction OF color,
hence the sometimes rapid changes, or
plurality OF partnerships, bring about
many mixtures and shades in families
that seem ridiculous to an outsider, but
not noticed or thought Objectionable
amongst the itiated.
Notwithstanding their convenient and
easy management of Affairs connected
with their home tireside they have no
Il reside, but wanted to use pleasing
phrasel the people here are the most re-
ligious of any on earth. There are crosses,
shrines and chspels all over the island,
with statutes OF white Virgins and white
Christs everyw here. The tiny chapeis
along the country wayside are like sentry
boxes, where every traveller may enter
and pray. A ght is maintained in them
at night.
In passing any of these aids to spiritual
every wayfarer makes some
oba no atn m