The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-07

..ioeHiCi, anu were dressed very nearly
the same; all were loaded with
Jewelry-gold and silver bracelets. neck
cnalns, anklets, nose rings, earrings,
the latter quite long ones reaching to
their shoulders.
IL was marvellous thing to me to
see all the Jewelry-in both high" and
low caste. all over India Both Mo-
mammalian and Hindu alike, as soon as
they get a little money, invest it IN
1eweiry of some kind. The prime min
lister proudly told me that his wife had
on $l0.oo0 worth of jewelry. The eldest
girl. just Is years DID, wore beautiful
gold head dress, coming down in the
middle of the forehead. I asked why
she was differently ornamented, and
the father said she was a bride. and
had only been married six months; and
that these were her marriage jewels.
He said he had expended $1,000 at her
wedding in entertaining 200 guests for
ten days. When one considers how few
their wants are, living mostly on rice
and grains, it seems wonderful how he
could have spent SO much money.
These ladies could speak neither Eng
hsh nor French, so the old gentleman
translated their talk for me. We spent
large amount Of time in examining
and admiring their jewelry, trying on
their anklets, ETC. The little bride wore
% anklets and II neck chains. OF course
they were not sone-half as much Of a
curiosity to US as we were to them.
They had never seen White woman
before. being such high caste people
they never go outside their house even
to visit other Nohammedan women, as
some others do. They never receive
local visitors, have no governesses. DO
not learn to read or write; they just
live like prisoners But they are nappy
for they know no other life, and are
absolutely contented.
expressed my surprise that TINS
having r111Ch wealth. does not
have women teachers in his house; pue
he said it was not the custom with MS
people to educate the women, and SO
he does not do it.
Her highness, the begun, is very
progressive woman, well educated, Is
founding many schools, but on account
of the prejudice of her people, she can
not persuade many to attend. Her Two
sons wives are sisters. and can parey
read their native language The tnlro
prince is only eleven years OLD, out IN
order that he may have an educated
wife, the begun had him married two
years ago; the bride was SIX years ola.
1t was the only alternative the laoy
could choose, for no Mohammedan girl,
Of high rank, has an education SUM-
cient for the exalted position; and no
Mohammedan father would give his
daughter over to be educated, with
view to be married to the prince. for
that would be breaking the rules OF the
'purdah," and make hereto OF ner
So the begun selected suitable bride,
and had the two children married; and
now she is having them both educated
together by the same tutors and gov
ernesses. The little princess speaks
good English and French and is learn
ing to play the piano.
But to return to the prime ministers
family: I asked him how his daughter
selected her husband If she had never
seen any man except her father. He
told me that his daughtr had nothing
to do in the premises whatever that he
and the grooms father made | neceS-
sary arrangements. Surely this is a
queer custom, but the official said it
was very good, as both parties were
sure to be satisfied.
The dinner hour approaching, the
father told the r family to go. They
made their adieu;as and then the SER
wants returned and made the house
and garden a"blaze Of light" All the
men guests now Teturned; and then we
had very gorgeous banquet, just as
European as. If served in Paris. These
people who had been raised" on rice,
and taught to eat, their food from their
fingers while sitting on the floor now
handled their knives and forks with
much more grace than many "well-to-
do Americans. %
We left the palace in the glorious light
of the full moon. which cast a charm
thought only of the poor, happy women
within who only saw the moon and sun
and stars through the open roof of their
enclosed garden. Possibly they are
much happier than we are; for they
have no ambitions, no high desires. no
heart aches, but just exist and are
happy in their ignorance. Why disturb
them, or try to widen their lives, sim
ply to bring them sorrow, in the knowl-
edge in their shortcomings?
We were indeed grateful for this
glimpse of domestic Mohamedan felici-
ty, which is afforded to only very few.
ANNA MARIE NELLIS.
Lawrence World: The annual mess
Of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity will
take place Saturday afternoon. This
affair always takes place on the Sat
many valentine features are used in
the entertainment. The guests will go
to the Phi Delt house about o'clock
in the afternoon and will dance until 8
when an elaborate banquet will be
served The remainder Of the evening
will be spent in dancing. Harry KEEL
ly's orchestra will be here from Kan
sas City to furnish the music. Among
the out of town guests will be Mr..
Fred Cowles, Mr. Frank Bangs of Kan
sas City, Miss Anna Troutman, Miss
Nadine Lyt1e, Topeka, and Miss Mabel
Stone of Emporia.
n X
Mrs Frank S. Thomas entertained the
Tnreka avenue Five Hundred club this
afternoon.
One of the most novel parties ever
given at the University of Kansas will
take place Saturday evening in the
Robinson gymnasium. The affair is
called Jubilee for the f1unks" and is
in celebration of the end of the first
term of school All the Hunks are
invited to attend.
y r.
There will be a subscription dance
at McRae's tonight for the Varsity,
Tivoli and Helianthus clubs.
The teachers of the high school gave