The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-06-26

NONltu OF MtAlCO IeSeLlnlc
those Of Spain more nearly
than those of any other ma
tionality The blood of the
many races that have invaded Mexico
is united in their veins, while in many
cases there is touch OF Indian The
women of the upper class are more
thoroughly spanish than their middle
class sisters. The poems or peasants
have a large mixture OF Indian blood.
They are beautiful ana charming in
youth At this time 1t may be inter.
esting 20 know that they are intensely
patriotic and more quick than the men
10 resent what they may imagine 20 be
slight on the honor Of their country.
The Senorita, the young girl who
comes home from her convent nc sew
euteen, is quite as important in her
family circle as her American contem-
pOraTy, albeit she has much less lib
erty. she looks much the same except
Tor her darker skin, for the lace man
tilla disappeared almost a generation
ago. She wears Paris hats ana gowns.
But where the American girl is still
thinking of parties and travels the
senorita turns her attention TO the
business of finding a husband. Unless
she has the cntree 10 the foreign dances
or the occasional sunday balls given
by the Mexican aristocracy she has
rather a difficult time of it, She has
neither the help of her parents ike the
French girl whose marriage is arrang-
81 according 10 dover, nor the oppor-
tunities 10 meet men and make her
own choice so freely accorded to the
American girl.
She is therefore reduced TO display
Ing herself Ike a wax figure in a shop.
With hair carefully dressed and face
powdered 20 much desired fairness she
sits in the barred window of her one
story adobe home. which is built level
with the street. Of sun dried bricks,
about a flower filed open court. Some
times she works ut the drawn work,
which she does so beautifully, and
sometimes she gazes shyly NJ the pass
ing caballerOs. Eventually one OF
them may stop. struck by the demure
face with its big, dark eyes. He walks
up and down the opposite side of the
street. Next day he returns. II she
is pleased with him she is az the win
dow again.
After week or two Of this long dis
lance woolug he comes in the moon.
light with his mandolin. 4 soft clap.
ping or a flower rewards his serenade.
The second time his lady love slips on
a dressing gown and comes 20 the win.
dow. There is room 10 hold hands
through the bars and time 10 whisper
all the things they have been thinking
about each other. IN evening walk
OF dozen blocks through any Next
can town will show half dozen cou-
Piles.
After six months or SO Of such inter
views, which are 10y 10 means kept So
cret from the rest Of the family. the
young man is invited to call by the
girls father or brother, provided his
prospects upon Investigation have prov.
Cd satisfactory His calls are made I'm
the presence OF the whole family, even
after his Offer has been made and |
formally accepted II he takes his /
hancee 20 the thcater they are accom- /
panied by her mother, father and Sis
tiers.
When the time for the marriage .
draws near the bridegroom provides
the trOuSseau for his bride She has .
much embroidered linen. which she has /
been preparing ever since childhood. |
but her gowns and even her lingerie
are his gift There is uo dowry, nor is
here a marriage settlement upon the /
wife 10y her husband. English fashion
But any property she may chance 90
Jwn remains hers after marriage. 50
she is better Off than the American
GIRL
As a married woman she does not as
ume her husbands name IN social in
ercOursc. The wife adds her hus.
1and's name with the proposition de-
o her own. and her children are known
~ her name rs well as his
As a matryu she drives about The
park on Sundays. but she no longer
ooks az the passing cabaleros She
never walks, and she seldom goes upOn
he streets alone She has two or three
maids, since their wages are but 81
per month
The peon girl has far more liberty
han her more fortunate sister. whose
lass she never dreams OF cutering
She wears no bat and covers her head
With her long wool scarf. or rcboso.
MY when she enters the church
When the band plays in the Alameda
md no hamlet IS too humble 10 have
Is little square-she walks about ON
he outside Of the walk. Next 10 her
s a line Of young men promenading I'm
he opposite direction. Within nre the
iris Of the better class with their
haperons But as the lines pass there
s time for the exchange Of a flower or
whispered word.