Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-07-10
N the traditional days Of Zorro
aster, before Islam conquered Per-
sia tha wopap Coll, ,,,n,t hoya

M
sia, the women folk must have
enjoyed much higher and more
honorable and happier position
than at the present time, for today
they are esteemed greatly inferior to
men.
IL Is really no wonder that one fire.
quently hears from the lips of some
OF these poor creatures the pathetic
exclamation, "Oh. God. why was not
born a boy-life would then have been
SO much easier to bear!"
When a boy is born there is great
rejoicing. but when the hopes OF
male child are disappointed. one Of
ten hears the sad saying only a
girl!"
Unfortunate little creature, she is
unwelcome! The ayah or nurse, is
In a bad temper and the unhappy
mother has to suffer for the unful.
filled desire. In all probability she
VIII lose the favor OF her lord and
master, and this Is almost certain to
be the case when she Is SO unlucky
as to present him with second
daughter. In his rage and chagrin
he VIII Introduce a new bride into his
"anderoon," or woman's quarters:
that is to say II he can afford to add
to his household.
Female Children UnweIcome.
As for the poor little girl.child-
little attention and care, to say notn.
ing OF parental affection, is bestowed
upon her. II she is strong and healthy
she will live, II not. she will die and
will not be much lamented. A com.
mon cradle is good enough for her,
In place OF the costly and luxurious
cot that would have been thought
none too fine for boy. The poor
nurse. frightened. trembles when she
announces the sex OF the child TO the
Agah. for the disappointed and angry
man in his rage is not unlikely to
give the order that she Is ito eat
sticks" the Persian euphemism for
punishment with the bastinado. or
whipping the soles OF the feet with
thin rods. This wrathful feeling to-
wards his wife may even 20 80 far
as divorce for her omission to provide
him with an heir.
Girls seldom are sent to school, and
It is a rare thing to find a Persian
woman who can 80 much as read or
write. There are no such institu.
tions as girls schools.
The features are concealed behind
the rouband. n long. narrow white
veil which is fastened at the back OF
the head over the chadaf by two
hooks. or in some cases by an elabo-
rate clasp OF silver or gold filigree,
either plain or studded with gems
This veil ia pierced Just in front OF
the eyes. the opening being covered
with lace. to form n window from
which the wearer can look out with.
out being herself visible. Not even
her hands may be seen, so they are
always carefully wrapped in the
chadar.
The lifting OF the veil (zefaf) is
the most important event in the life
OF the Persian girl. and until this
moment arrives her sole duty ls 10
look pretty, making herself attractive
by the use OF innumerable cosmetics.
paints and halrwashes which are
found In every "anderoon," so that
her good looks may be the subject
OF conversation and find her a hus.
band while she Ia young. Parents are
always anxious TO get their daugh.
ters married as early as possible, and
many girls, especially among the
well.to-do classes. are betrothed
while stlll mere children.
Unless the husband.to.be can bribe
the gobctween. who arranges the mar.
riage, he rarely sees the face OF his
bride until the ceremony takes place
and then Il Ia only by hiding him
behind n curtain. where he can OBJ.
serve without betraying his presence.
When the preliminaries have been
settled ." the satisfaction Of tho two