The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-13
In Moman's Realm
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COLONEL BolES says that among the best
Y work being done in Puerto Rico at this time
is by women, the wives of army officers es
tablished there. Chief of these are Mrs. Davis
and Mrs. Huff They have the most complete
organization for relief Of poor women that can
be devised. The conditions on the island are
peculiar, resulting in many respects from the
unfortunate marriage customs, which are even
more lax than in Pennsylvania. Owing to the
eXhorbitant chargcs-25 pesos-made for per-
forming marriage ceremonies under the Spanish
regime and from the fact that a civil marriage
was not considered legal, the poor people were
unable to marry according to law. They had to
save money to buy consolation and burial ser.
vices for their dying and dead and consequently
marriage forms were dispensed with. Men tiring
OF their wives turned them adrift and took
others. The result is that vast numbers OF poor
women, who have lived decent lives according
to their lights, are found destitute with large
families of children on their hands, with no
husband to provide for them. The officers wives
are aiding these unfortunate unmarried widows
in a most practical way. They furnish work for
all who come; not one is given anything out.
right, but is allowed to borrow a little money
and pay in her labor. She makes garments
which in turn are given to the needy and by
close system Of tickets and credits is enabled to
care for her family. This task seems likely to
entail more expense hereafter, as until this time
all children ran about until Inev we're about IL
years old without stitch of clothing Now the
United States has issued an edict that the un.
happy youngsters must be clad after the age of
years.
Ct KATIIARINE'S Guild of the Church OF the
y Good Shepherd will have sale Of cakes.
home. made candy, Easter novelties and fancy
articles tomorrow afternoon and evening in the
Guild rooms. Tea is to be served to all visitors,
OF whom it is hoped there will be a multitude.
THE MONOLOGUE entertainment to be given
| by Miss Ethel Chase at ST. Luke's Parish
House Monday evening is the most interest.
ing event Immediately following Easter.
THERE MAY BE things which could create
! more CONSERVATION among society people
than a prospective fancy dress ball. but they
would have TO be something in the way Of the
notification OF an earthquake or the probable
seizure of this town by a foreign foe. All sorts
Of difficulties arise among those fortunate enough
to receive invitations. They don't know what
character to select OF course, there are always
knights and shepherdesses and peasants Of vari-
Gus nations whose adopted country would never
mark them for her own. There are Little Bo
Peeps, and Maud Mullers. There are gypsies and
colonial dames but TO get up something original
and becoming in costume, there Is the difficulty.
Men will trot blithely off and hire a fearful and
wonderful creation Of doubet and hose, satin,
velvet and lace which they will don without
the slightest compunctons or even a certificate
Of fmigation. They will look satisfied and ten
times as handsome ordinary-peThaps-
ing or not as they have been endowed by nature