Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1891 — THEY LIVE FOR LOVE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THEY LIVE FOR LOVE.

Mexican Women Interest Themselves Only in Heart Affairs.

MEXICAN educates his sons and sends them to college, but his daughters have to remain with their mother. There are too many women there, and they lire for nothing but love. They become accomplished, o f course, but beyond being good entertainers, good Mexicans, and good linguists they do

not amount to much. It is considered a disgrace for a Mexican lady to earn her own living. The men do the cooking and male servants do the housework. If a young lady should' 5 learn stenography and typewriting, or should try in any manner to earn her own living, she would be ostracized from society. A Mexican lover must woo in patience, as his intentions are, from the start, treated as a family matter by the parents of the beloved of his soul. He is bound by custom to make known to his lady love his desire to pay his addresses. If the communication is pleasant he is referred to the mother and the siege of the maiden’s heart may be said to be begun. Custom compels the youth to execute a movement called “Playing the bear,” which consists of a daily afternoon promenade before the shaded jalousie behind which sits the maiden, flanked by her mother, sisters, female cousins, and aunts. Before such a battery of black eyes the suitor must pace back and forth for at least twenty minutes a day. He may toss a note up into the jalpnsie, if so be he has sufficient courage to face the party, but his missives are read by the mother before they are delivered to his love. His love may answer the notes, but her replies must be read and edited by her mother before they are given to the stately senor pacing up and down in the blazing tropical sun. If the suitor is approved by the family, he is soon permitted to talk to the senorita, still in the presence of her family. Ere long he is allowed to call, and thenceforth the wooing progresses more in accordance with American views.