New-York tribune., 1900-08-26
UP TO DATE GRANDMOTHER
SHE is ONE OF THE CUBAN TEACHERS
AND HAS FOUR GRANDCHILDREN

The Cuban teachers have come and gone. but the
result OF the visit viii be lasting. An interview
with two OF the teachers In the company
o'oCBht out a number OF interesting details. Tney
We're seen while awaiting the luncheon hour al
central Park. ard their faces eglow with
enthusiasm and delight. Everything charmed
them even the notion of talking for a news
paper" When asked II they would. they beamed
with artessly displayed pleasure, exclalmng, ION,
VIII II not be exquister' Accustomed 10 the as
ruined reluctance OF many American women IN
public positions to speak for print, one coulu
hardly believe ones and felt inclined 10 gasp
Great heavens. this be true. or is it deadly
sarcasm ?"
II was not, however. as they Immediately began
TO talk with the EXTREMIST voIubility. One who
could speak better English took shy pride IN dis
playing her accomplishment. but often had re-
course. Of necessity, to Spanish.
All. ii IS all so beautiful said Doha Maria
Lu!sa Gonsalez. V.uda de Perez lingo, Adela as
she signed herself. Viuda means widow. and
widow in Cuba follows the Spanish custom OF sign
ing herself II startling TO learn. by the
way, that Dona Gonsalez. who was pretty ana
vivacious young woman about twenty eight ap-
parently. a grandmamma, with four smaH
grandchildren, and had had sX sons IN the Cuban
army! She was married at fourteen but had
preserved her youth and brightness a degree
simply incredible ard never approached by an
American woman. The American grandmother
thinks she is doing remarkably well when she
outdo her without any difficulty. Dota Gonsalez
must be regarded however, exception, even
among Cubans and smilingly said in answer to
the exclars tons OF genuine incredulity when she
spoke Of her grandchildren that in Cambridge
many people went 10 me because it was
thought wonder"
i like so much the American women They are
so elegantes' and so liztas'-what you say spark
ling. The American good husbands-!s II
not? But they not like the women They have
not he rhe Sfyye ~
fingers furnished sufficient translation OF the word
even had she added-"the snap! But they are
such charming friends. too. I make many friends
in Cambridge, and have promise TO write"
1t impossible 10 restrain mischievous query
as 10 whether her would-be correspondents knew
of the four grandchildren. to which she responded
with answering mischief in her laugh Was it that
I should say so? No, they do not know What
natter"
Here Dona CIotilde Ouvera &c Conde interpolated:
MY sister IS 10 marry an American. and make
her say she take me back to Cambridge I will go
some time again. though there is excursion, for
it is all so beautiful and great"
Asked what study studies they found most in
teresting Doha Olivera evidently thought that
calisthenics might be so regarded the costume
especially which she characterized as "Pantalones
Turcos'-Turkish trousers. She is principal OF one
OF the largest schools in Estremadura de Matanzas,
and intends introduce caIisthenics immediat ately.
The costumes must be made in the United States,
for know that in Cuba could make them.
They are odd! But 1t IS good for the children
10 make them strong and handsome"
Doha Cionsalez liked the kindergarten teaching
II could little learn, but II IS beautiful for the
children I would that the United States would
send 10 US some teachers, that in Cuba we, TOO.
might teach the nihes-the babies-while yet II
makes play for them all at the time" Her English
was extremely quaint, may be seen. I wanted
English than all. II that I would most
study" she said, and her six weeks certainly
were well employed in that respect All beauti-
full is Cambridge If could but have longer re-
uained for Of study. They teach so wisely, one
must learn It viii help us oh. great deal -
Asked If the new woman had appeared in Cuba
| they opened their brown eyes in bewilderment.
'Nueva mujer?" They knew her not. but she is
there just the same. because when they were ques-
! toned further they said that women in Cuba had
been entering the learned professions for several
! years. There was time when Cuban women did
not need to go from their homes work but Cuba
/ IS so poor--so poor now. You say that we have no
/ progress that behind the time but when
! there has been one war after another and our