Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-20
Nicaraguan Marriages.

In his account of the discovery, and settle
ment of Nicaragua, Mr.. Helps describes ma
tional custom in regard to marriage, which, he
remarks, Among all the strange things that
have been done in the way of matrimony, is
perhaps unique in the annals Of the world"
NIcARAGUAN MARRIAGES.
l. Apung Nicaraguan beauty would have
many 'favorea'lovers; but, aftera t.nc, bethink-
ing her that it would be well to marry and set
| tie, she would ask her father to give her por-
| tion of land near to where he lived. When he
had appointed what land she should have, she
would call her lovers togetherand tell them that
she wished to marry, and to take one of them
as her husband that she did not possess a
house; but that she desired that they would
build her one on the land which her father had
given her. The prudent damseldid not hesitate
to enter into details as to the kind of house she
wished to have built, and would add that, if
they loved her well, the house would be built
by such day, giving them month or six
| WCcAn W COul DlCuc IL IL OuC pbC WOuit
give charge of furnishing the woodwork; to
another, to find the canes which were to form
the walls; to another, to provide the cordage
to another, to gather straw for the roof; to an
other to procure dried fish to stock the house
to another, to get deer and pigs for her. to an
Other to collect maize This work was usually
put in hand with the utmost prompttude, mol
was the least thing dispensed with that she had
asked for On the contrary, anxious to show
their zeal to the lady of their affections, they
sometimes brought double of what had beer
demanded. Their friends and relations aidet
them, for it was always thought great honor
to be the successful competitor, and that il
would reflect honor upon his kindred.
We may easily imagine what efforts wer'
made by the contending parties to promote the
several suits, how her relatives were honoreC
and aattered, how her companions were way
laid, and what tales were conveyed to her ear
of the dangers and labors that were undertaken
for her sake. The pomp of courtship coul'
never have been 50 distinctly brought before the
eyes of the world as in the pleasant province o
Nicaragua.
At last the house was ready. The provision
and the furniture were put in it, and the heart
of the over-worked competitors beat rapidly a
the fortunate or the fatal moment approached
A solemn feast was held in the new house,
When the supper was concluded, the damse
rose and made short but gracious speech. -
She first thanked them all heartily for the labo
they had undergone on her behalf. She thel
said that she wished it was in her power t.
make so many women that she could provide
wife for each of her suitors In times past the,
had seen what loving mistress she had beel
to each of them; but now she was going to b
married. and to belong to one alone-and thi
is the one, she said whereupon she took tn
chosen suitor by the hand, and retired from tn
apartment. Her choice having been declared
the disappointed suitors and their respectiv
factions went away amicably, and conclude
the feast by dancing and drinking, until tn
senses of most of them were overcome.
As to the bride, she was henceforth utterl
cold to all her former lovers, and showed hersel
to be true wife. The disappointed suitor<
for the most part bore their disappointment
meekly, but sometimes it happened that on tn
morning after the marriage one or two of theI
were found hanging from tree, and there til
bodies remained, a ghastly spectacle of honor
to show the world how the fair Nicaraguan ha
been loved and lost.