The L'Anse sentinel., 1907-04-06


| toys to be found. They were intensely
amused one morning at Santa Isabella
at the interest created by some large,
handsome paper dolls just received
from home. Taken to school for the
recreation hour, they delayed the
opening of the entire school, while
nuns and pupils alike gathered around
and enjoyed for the first time this-to
them-novel sight. My little girls
stood on a platform and changed the
costumes of these dolls and were quite
as entertained as their friends.
The lower class, whose lives are so
simple, whose wants are marvelously
few, whose occupations are varied and
singularly suited to them, interested
me strongly. They are apparently as
happy living In the end of casco and
keep house with the same ease as
those who live on land and occupy a
picturesque nipa hut of small proper
tions, whose roof seems elastic. 1t
sometimes covers so many heads.
These women take in washing. ped
die dainty fabrics made OF their fruit
fibers, make bamboo mating, sew or
embroider. Some with large fiat bas-
kets of fruits and the invariable betel
nut, done up neatly In spicy leaf
held together by lime paste that evil
IDENTIFY renders it more palatable move
from place to place as occasion re-
quires and squat patiently in the shade
awaiting customers.
The stalls in markets are also kept
principally by women, some OF whom
live right there with their families.
Then the cigar factories furnish occu-
patton to many of all ages. was as
tonisned to see little girls of not more
than nine or ten years with the deft-
ness of experts roll cigarettes and
cigars and shred tobacco; while not a
few pretty little babies, each clothed
only in a short pima shirt, crept around
as the mothers worked.
Hundreds are employed in these
large factories. They obtain their
food for few pennies from a neigh
Dor conveniently located. whose busi-
ness 1t is to furnish them with pro-
visions. l have often watched with
great deal of interest the keen relish
with which they gather around the
central figure who serves the chosen
dish from quaint pottery with a cocoa
nut ladle, amid indescribable chatter
and undoubted enjoyment. When
everyone is satisfied they repair to
their homes for the necessary siesta.
The hostess clears up her dishes and
follows their example and the corner
becomes quiet and empty until even
ing, when the gay scene is repeated.
Their cooking is done out of doors
under a bamboo or thatched nipa avn
Ing, which protects them from both
sun and rain. Many time has the
odorous Whit of choice tidbit, con-
sistlng of spoiled fish and garlic. found
its way through our drawing room
windows from the nipa shacks Of our
nextdoor neighbors.
Several times I had occasion to be-
friend and extend to them u kindness,
for which they were most grateful.
They showed their appreciation in oc-
casional neighborly gifts Of native
fruits, few fresh eggs when they
. were scarce In the markets. or some
Filipino dish which was both dainty
and palatable and which always re-
turned with typical American dell
cacy that pleased them very much.
These women are thrifty, kindly,
hospitable, appreciative, music-loving.
social, peaceable and cleanly. This
last from their own point Of views 1
grant you, and confess to having seen
them deliberately take their sandals
off at a muddy crossing, wade over In
bare feet. which they then slipped into
the sandals, and continued on their
way. This and many similar instances
reminded one that in principle they
were not unlike certain
Young lady OF Crete.
Who was so exceedingly neat,
She stood on her head
When she got out OF bed
To keep from soiling her feet"
| Notwithstanding all this, l shall al
ways maintain they are clean-from
their point of view. And on this sub
ject, upon which have had many ar
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