The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-21

welI-to-do, or bought in part, but the
lack of effort in securing it leaves the
women without much ambition beyond
procuring one days necessities.
This lack of motive and the quiet de-
meanor of the native make the race
seem indolent.
Taxation upon marriage rites has in
the past years changed the standard of
morals in this direction, and behind
the-church' or common-laW marriages
are well preserved. 1t is creditable to
the common-laW system and to the
people that the mutual vows are kept
with great fidelity.
story is told of a wealthy old ma
tive recently giving a three days fete
in honor of his final church and civil
marriage to the loved and honored old
wife. A daughter had been sent to
New York for study. Upon her return
she urged the marriage rite upon her
parents Under the laws then prevail
ing the wife and children of a common
law union could not inherit the prop
erty of the husband. and his death
would mean confiscation by the near
est male relative.
A HARD LOT.
The death of a native not long ago
was followed by eviction of the mother
and daughter, and a nephew of the
dead man took possession of the home.
The daughter became a servant. The
death of the nephew placed the prop
erty in the hands of the United States.
Amalia, the young woman referred to,
had a sweetheart who cheered her
hours of recreation by permitting her
to buy him sweets and rum. In the
incidents of adjusting the affairs under
military occupancy, Maxine came in
contact with native policeman, and
next day said good-by to the girl-wife
forever
The household employing AmaIia had
another maid, Francesca. According to
the rule, not only Arnalia must resign
her duties for a term of mourning, but
also Francesca, as her nearest friend,
assumed the habiliments of woe and
left her work for a term not less than
that of the widowed Amalia.
The many black-garbed women seen
in the island impress the tourist with
a belief that some epidemic has swept
the country. Such is the habit of put
ting on mourning at the least provo
cation At the death of a wealthy ice
| dealer of Ponce recently, $50 persons
put on mourning.
From the necessity of other genera
lions the native Puerto Rican woman
of to-day is the main support of the
man. She works all day. and upon the
proceeds takes her sweetheart husband
out in the evening, paying all the ex-
| penses, not forgetting to supply this
| husband with money, tobacco and rum
This state of affairs continues unit
| money enough is saved to set up ar
| establishment of one or two rooms
| somewhere wherein the wife may care
| for the husband and little one
This condition of common-law mar.
rage obtains throughout the natura
I lives of the two people-faithfulnes t.
| the bond as sacred as under any law
True, the standard of morals would
hardly accord with American ideas, We
the letter of the law is we'll preserved
The point of the machete maintaini
respect for women married by any rite
The women initiate any kind of worl
with surprising dizziness and are excel
lent dressmakers. What is lacking il
originality is made up in skill.
Place in the Puerto Rican woman
hands the stove, sewing machine wash
boards and tubs, and with the wise tut
! ton of interested American women tn
| future household conditions of the isl
and will be changed like magic.