St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-04-13

rieties Of vehicles drove around and
| on down for mile. where one turned
i'll a small circle around the Anda
monument, returning between cocoa.
nuts and palms to the music and the
crowd.
There one met ones friends and
acquaintances, looked upon mestizos
beauties and Filipino bellies and en-
joyed alike the unique scene and deli
cious Whit of the sea. The mestizos
are perhaps the prettiest. They have
clear, rich, creamy skins, soft, dark
eyes and black hair, which is arranged
simply but very becomingly. The full
blooded Filipino is darker and often
very handsome. Not infrequently one
recognizes the small, even, pretty fea-
lures which proclaim an Indian an
cestor and admires the grace which
seems to belong peculiarly to the peo-
pie of that interesting country.
| formed several pleasant personal
friendships with these women, visit
ing them in their homes and inviting
them to mine. Upon more than one
occasion when an interpreter could
not be obtained / was brave enough to
venture alone to make social calls.
| Considering the very limited knowl-
edge of English on one hand and most
imperfect Spanish on the other, have
always fattered myself that we came
out of it very creditably. 1t is aston
ishing how much one can say under
these conditions with few signs and
gestures.
Once, one of our favorite American
generals, stationed north of Manila,
desired to give a social touch toward
| cementing the friendship and good fell
lowship between the two nations, and
with this end in view asked an army
woman to bring party up to his head
quarters for few days visit. Upon
their arrival the general gave a recep-
ton, TO which all the principal people
of the town were invited. They re-
turned the hospitality promptly and
cordially, thereby promoting much
pleasant intercourse.
Among the Filipino ladies there was
one who will ever hold an agreeable
place in the memory of the party, so
bright and pretty was she, so quick
at repartee and altogether fascinating.
During one of the occasions when they
were all together, do not remember
now what gave rise to it, her black
eyes fairly flashed fire as she said:
But you will never conquer us! You
may go on bringing your soldiers to
fight us-millions of them-but you
will not conquer us!" Then in the
most tragic manner she added: I'm
sur-rec-to! To-the-death!"
1t was like bombshell in the midst
sembly.
An American woman stepped up to
her quickly but quietly, gently took
both the dark hands in hers and
smiled in her eyes as she answered:
my dear, we are not going to bring
more soldiers; we don't want to fight
you. We want to conquer you with
| love-"
With low bow, indescribable grace
and the prettiest little gesture in the
world, she said: I'VE are conquered"
AS the Americans were starting
back to- Manila, in the midst of the
good wishes expressed on both sides,
waving of handkerchiefs, good-bys and
adieus, the pretty girl with twinkling
eyes and saucy voice called out:
"Adios! Adios! POGO tiempo-boom-
boom!" And everybody laughed. Not
withstanding this unwished-for predic"
ton so prettily spoken, the friendships
formed then remained and kind feel
ing was established fact.
AS a rule the Filipinos marry very
young and the wedding festivities are
often kept up for week. was in
vited to bridal tifin upon one men,
orable occasion which began at ten
o'clock and was only at its height
when was compelled to leave at five
o'clock, but l enjoyed it thoroughly
and found the entertainment most in
| teresting.
Their domestic relations are, for
tunateIy, happy, for there are no d.
vorces in that Catholic land. They
smoke usually cigarettes, often slim,
light cigar quarter of yard long,
which l have had Hospitality offered
me on many occasions.
Indeed, I learned to love their blue
skies and bright sunshine, the beauti-
full scenery and quaint surroundings
and found interest in everything.
When l left their country that had
grown dear to me in SO short time,
many of the women of the Philippines
whom I am glad to call my friends
still came from linus, Bacoor, Para
naque, Pasay and Pasig to bid me