The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-08-16
Girls DO The Loyemaking.

The students Of Psychology and So
ciology know that women have cult.
waited an attitude yf etfeminate coy.
ness along with the thousands and
one conventionalities that have beep
thrust on them. In spite of these
opinions, says the Chicago Tribune, in
the days gone by it was almost as
common for the women as the men to
do the eourting. Today there are
parts Of the world where young women
feel they are doing nothing wrong by
taking this pleasure aud responsibility
on themselves.
In Polynesia there are no women 8
clubs aud the doctrines Of women 8
rights have never been heard, aud
still these half emancipatod young
girls feel they have the right to ex-
tend an offer of marriage to an equal
or to an inferior. Their proposals are
sometimes accepted, again rejected.
When their love is unanswered they
do not commit suicide or take poison,
as an American novelist might make
us believe. They may grieve little
while, only to console themselves
with the thought, "if at first you
don't succeed, try, try again"
these proposals are often spoken
in romantic words.
A Fijian maiden desperately in love
with young man asked his father if
she might love his son, and receiving
no encouragement, she said:
"Let me only live outside of his
home. I will sleep upon the wood
pile. If / may only light his cigar
cites for him I shall rejoice.
II may only hear his voice from q
distance; it will suffice. Life will be
pleasant to me"
Between the northern and southern
extremity of New Guinea lies Tories
Strait. The largest island in the
strait is inhabited by Melanesiaus,
whose customs are insular and unique
they are of special interest to stu
dents occupied with the phenomena
of love and marriage. They are, with
one exception, Of the Papuan type,
frizzled hair people who cultivate the
soil, use the bow and arrow, and, un-
Australian like, treat the women with
consideration.
Prof. A. G. Haddon, the most emf
nent authority on these people, says
that the women Of the region are
wonderfully independent. The most
q man ever dares is to suggest he is
fond Of girl, but if he actually pro-
posed he would be the laughing stock
of the whole district. On the island
Of Tuo boys are taught:
"You no like girls first; if you do
girls laugh and call you woman. "
When girl likes man she tells his
sister aud gives her ring Of string.
She tells the brother she has some
good news for him, and if he approves
they select q rendezvous, where the
conversation is carried on in this
manner:
"You like me proper2"
"Yes," she declares. II like you
proper, with my heart inside. Eye
along heart see you--you my man."
Half frightened, he continues:
"How you like me2"
She usually answers: II like your
your skin good. You my man.
In q neighboring island oouttship
assumes 'a,more practical form. The
lovesick maiden sends her young
man food, and plenty of it. He
waits some time and if he decides he
approves of her he acknowledges her
favrr by eating all she has sent him.
A good dancer is always admired in
these islsnds. A mans being mar
ried does not prevent his being court
ed again. G;r's have enough tact not
70 make this known to the wife. A
sister is selected.
Some Of the girls are wonderfully
persistent, Haddon tells Of girl
who was in love with q cook. She
made the advances, but be paid no
heed, and 30 che accused him of try.
ing to steal her. Che carried on q
long lawsuit, though the case was de.
cided in the mans favor. In spite
Of these advances most of these wo-
men become the property Of their