Barbour County index., 1907-04-17

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 evi-
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. l 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 a few pennies from a neigh
Dor conveniently located, whose busi-
ness it Is to furnish them with pro-
visions. 1 have often watched with a
great deal of interest the keen relish
with which they gather around the
central figure who serves the chosen
dish from quaint pottery with 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 bamboo or thatched nipa avn.
ing, which protects them from both
sun and rain. Many a time has the
odorous whiff Of choice tidbit, con
sisting of spoiled fish and garlic, found
its way through our drawing room
windows from the nipa shacks Of our
next-door neighbors.
Several times l had occasion to be,
friend and extend to them kindness,
for which they were most grateful
They showed their appreciation in oc
casional neighborly gifts of native
frtIi re fhny
were scarce in the markets, or some
Filipino dish which was both dainty
and palatable and which l always re
turned with typical American deli
cacy that pleased them very much.
These women are thrifty, kindly
hospitable, appreciative, music-loving
social, peaceablc and cIeanly. This
last from their own point of view,
grant you, and confess to having seen
them deliberately take their sandals
off at muddy crossing, wade over in
bare feet, which they then slipped into
the sandals, and continued on theil
way. This and many similar instances
were not unlike a certain
Young lady of Crete,
Who was so exceedingly neat
She stood her head
When she got out OF bed
To keep from soiling her feet
Notwithstanding all this, I shall al
ways maintain they are clean-fron
their point of view. And on this sub
iect, upon which I have had many ar
guments, feel we'll backed up by the
example of good old Scotch woman
who was ever fairly open TO convic
ton. but would like to see the mar
who could convince her
Now we come to the middle class
who are respectable in every sense
Their houses are spotless, their clothe.
always neat, their glossy black hail
we'll washed and tidy. These have
time to visit and possess at least +:
shower bath in the house, so they are
not obliged to resort to stream o.
convenient spigot on the street for The
| comfort of bath. They. can permi
themselves the luxury of caramett;
and perhaps caraboo whose milk Il
peddled in picturesque jars by som,
male member of the family. They will
| take in a little sewing and fine EN-
broidery They are very expert will