The evening times., 1899-11-08

!
for years, the wcmen Of the Third are liv-
ing comfortably, for Manila. The quarters
which they occupy were built for the crack
I Spanish artillery regiment stationed in
j Manila, and renovated and repainted
Throughout by the Quartermaster's De-
/ partment. T.
Cheap Household Labor.
The price of labor is still low out here
though perhaps not so low as it seems
when you take into Consideration the linn
| tied amount of work that one OF the ma
| tive servants is able to accomplish. The
general Homework girl would create a
| sensation here. But if American servants
accomplish more, compe nsations are to be
| found in the good nature and respectful te-
havior of the Filipino retainer. "Mucha-
ehos'' cost about 81 in gold month in
wages, and if they are fed on fish and rice.
the food TO which they are accustomed,
| the expense is 81 more apiece. A 'mucha-
cha or girl, charges the game.
The two simple articles Of food just
mentioned may be said to be the national
Philippine Diet, They are easily cooked,
and cooked anywhers-op the strest cor
ner, In the courtyard or the corner OF a
hall, on a charcoal stove or bundle OF
| sticks. The Fiiipinos are not only among
| the most skilled fshermen of the world.
but they are great consumers Of their own
catch. They are particular, too as TO the
| condition OF the fish before they are cook
ed. The fish must not be too fresh. That
defect is remeded by a sun bath, and il Is
a common sight to see a row of small.
shiny fish laid out on the ground in the
sun. where they remain until the odor Is
offensive, and then they are ready for the
Filipino pot!
ant liNo hnra Z
is not necessary TO have a room for her; the
back hall is more luxurious than anything
to which she has been accustomed. She
slows her possessions In some out of the
way corner eats her Chow from a bowl
in another corner. and at night unrolls a
straw mat, on which she sleeps in comfort.
She is neat. and her simple clothes are al
ways clean and we'll washed. The native.
make their own clothes look so well it is
strange that they cannot do the same with
those Of other people.
Facilities for sIumbcr.
According 10 American ideas it is a hard
ship 10 sleep on the floor. but if you have
done it all your life you find a bed uncom
Portable, and the focr is almost as soft as a
Filipino bed. AS substitute for boards
you have woven cane. as hard and as firm
bit of straw mating is laid on this. and
there are your springs and mattresses.
Feathers are too warm for this climate and
hair is great luxury. so beds are generally
provided with a pillow stuffed hard with
cotton. The bed is also provided with an
other implement known as Dutch house.
wife" The reason for the name is un-
known. 1t might be described as half pill
low and half bolster. At night it is laid
lengthWise at one side of the bed, and yoa
are supposed to utilize 1t in some way TO
increase your comfort: as to how various
opinions are advanced, 1t being generally
accepted. however, that it is good fer the
bones to throw one foot over it. When you
first see one Of these beds ready for occu-
pancy 1t never occurs 10 you that you can
really sleep on it, and when You wake in
the morning you wonder how you ever did.
But, like everything else in this world that
happens to differ from our own particular
custom. 1t does not take long to get usea
to it and SO appreciate the advantages iy
the way of coolness and ventilation.
An Oriental Bath.
Next to the beds. the Filipino bath pre-
sents the greatest contrast to our own
household arrangements. or course. there
are various kinds Of Baths in Manila, but
than the genuine Oriental article there is
nothing quainter in this part of the world.
Here is description of cone: A square
room of good size. porcelain tub, nearly
square, blue inside, and deep; on the out
side figures in low relief. and Of dull COL
oring; it stands in one corner under a
faucet and Is filled to- the abrim with wa
ter. The other articles with which the
room is furnished are one or two stools.
rough wooden bench. and several basins;
a clotheslne is stretched across from side
to side. The floor is Of red bricks in large
squares, which slope, down toward the
doorway. e
The room is upon 7an open corridor,
brick paved, which is Dn the second story,
and locks down on a. little. square court
yard. There is a window with wooden
shutters and a rough board door. with
gap between it and the floor when it is
closed. You are conducted to the bath for
the first time. let US say. on your arrival, [
and a gourd is placed in your hand. the
creaking door and shutters are closed. and
you are left to your own .devices-which
may be various if your bump Of ingenuity