Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-11-15
Copyright. by Joseph b. Eowles,

Copyright. by Joseph b. Eowlesy
1.awton was in the truest sense her d.
tingushed husbands associate and con-
panion during his adventurous army eN-
pericnres. While devoted - her huSba::t
and family. she vet could always ma
time to interest herself in the families ~
the soldiers of the garrison. An intelli-
fund of experiences of the most interest
ing kindJ
My personal knowledge OF the wom-
en- Of the Philippines. is limited 70
those of Manila and the surrounding
towns. Considering the times. condi-
tions and opportunities. my circle of
friends there is not inconsiderable.
and whenever the occasion offered
found their kindly hospitality and gen
tie courtesy unfailing. The Philip
pines contain many different. distinct
tribes and dialects, which | shall not.
however. touch upon, but give my own
experience and observations.
AS in every other country, the wom-
en- of the Philippines are divided into
classes; the high born ladies who axe
bright and attractive. dress daintily,
possess their horses and carriages.
live in luxury. entertain sumptuously
and find life altogether agreeable: the
middle class-perhaps the happiest.
for there is no "nOblesse oblige "-who
are independent, unconventional, COM
Portable; and the poorer, whose cares
and clothes are few. laboTs light and
habits extremely simple.
was brought in contact with them
all and found much to interest me in
each.
Ny Introduction was to the sweet
faced. gentle mannered nuns Of Con-
cordia. who so kindly and cordially
offerC, me shelter upon my arrival in
Manila. when the recent uprising in
the town rendered it dangerous for I'M
protected Americans. While many of
.hem were natives. l fancy quite
number were brought from Spain, but
go long ago they had easily acquired
the habits and customs OF the country.
which under Spanish rule was, after
all, much like their own.
The convent. several miles out OF
Manila, was beautifully situated
among tropical shade trees, with fine
grounds and an imposing entrance.
where one always met with a hospit-
able welcome. In prosperous times
before the war"-this grand old con-
vent was supported by from GOO to 500
pupils Now there We're only 40 desti-
tu:e girls, whom these good women
fed. clothed and sheltered BY the labor
of their hands.
This was also the case at Convente
de Pace. where I soon became an in
timate." learned to know and love the
sisters there and shall always remem-
Der most gratefully their kindness and
sympathy.
Among the many converts in and
about Manila there are two more that
knew we!l-Santa Isabella. in the
walled city, where my little girls at
tended school for a short time. and the
one so picturesque on little island IN
the Pasig. near Ayala bridge We are
still wearing garments made by the
busy fingers there, and the three rag
dolls. over whose trousseaus these
nuns ana even III" NIslllES pa0Te &C.
rived much amusement. are treasured
in the family as tendeTly as ever. For
pretty dolls Of bisque. paper or even
rag are unknown in that country
My children were profoundly struck
with the "nothings" in the way Of
toys to nc 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 10 school for the
recreation hour, they delayed the
opcning o. the entire school. while
nuns and pupils alike gathered around
and enjoyed for the first time ;his-;o
,bcm-novcI sight. My little girls
stood on a platform and changed the
costumes OF these dolls and were quite
AZ entertained as their frieads.
The lower class. whose lives are so
simpIa. whose wants are marvcIous!y
tcw. whose occupations are varied and
sincuiariy suited 10 them. interested
me strongly. They are apparently as
harry living In tho cnd of caSco and
keep house with the same ease -