The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-05-11

nuns and pupils alike gathered around
and enjoyed for the first time this-to
them-novel sight. My ntss.e girls
stood on 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
singnlarly 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, it
sometimes covers so many heads.
These women take in washing, ped
die dainty fabrics made of their fruit
hbers, make bamboo mating, sew or
embroider. Some with large fat bas-
kets of fruits and the invariable betel
nut, done up neatly in a 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. I was as
to cir Of
than nine or ten years with the defr-
ness of experts roll cigarettes and
cigars and shred tobacco; while not
few pretty little babies, each clothed
only in 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. I 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 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 Whit of choice tidbit, con-
sisting of spoiled fish and garlic, found
it's way through our drawing room
windows from the nipa shacks of our
next-door neighbors.
Several times I had occasion to be-
friend and extend to them a kindness,
for which they were most grateful
They showed their appreciation in oc-
casional neighborly gifts of native
fruits, a few fresh eggs when they
were scarce in the markets, or some
Filipino dish which was both dainty
and palatable and which I always re-
turned with typical American deli
cacy that pleased them very much
These women are thrifty, kindly,
hospitable, appreciatiye, music-loving,
social, peaceable and cleanly. 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 their
way. This and many similar instances
reminded one that in principle they
were not unlike a certain
Young lady of Crete,
Who was 50 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 SUBJ
ject, upon which I have had many ar
guments, 1 feel we'll backed up by the
example of a good old Scotch woman,
who was ever fairly "open to convic-
tion, but would like to see the man
who could convince her."
Now we come to the middle class,
who are respectable in every sense.
Their houses are spotless, their clothes
always neat, their glossy black hair
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 a stream or
convenient spigot on the street for the
comfort of bath. They can permit
themselves the luxury of a carametta
and perhaps a caraboo whose milk is
peddlcd in picturesque jars by some
male member of the family. They will
take in little sewing and fine en-
broidery. They are very expert with
the needle and fond Of jewelry, and
not few possess some quite pretty
nieces of near1s or diamonds nnaint-