The Kanzas news., 1858-06-12
Nicaraguan Marriage.

A young Nicaraguan beauty would have
many favored lovers; but, after time, be-
thinking her that it would be well to marry
and settle, she would ask her father to give
her portion of land near to where he lived.
When he had appointed what land she shold
have, she would call her lovers together,
and 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
e-iand which her father had given her,
The prudent damsel did not hesitate to en-
ter into the details as to the kind of a house
sne wished to have built, and would add
that, if they loved her well, the house would
be built by a day, giving them month or
would give the charge to finish the wood
work; to another, to find the canes which
were to form the walls; to another, to gath
er the straw for the roof; to another, to
procure the dried fish to stock the house; to
another, TO get deer and pigs for her; to
another, to collect maize. This work was
usually put in hand with the utmost promp-
titude, nor was the least thing dispensed
with that she had asked for. On the con-
trary, anxious to show their zeal for the
lady of their affections, they sometimes
brought double of what had been demanded
Their friends and relatives aided them, for
it was always thought great honor to be
the successful competitor, and that it would
reflect honorupon his kindred.
We may easily imagine what efforts were
made by the contending parties to promote
their several suits; how her relatives were
honored, and fattered; how her compan-
ions were wayhid, and what tales were con-
veyed 10 her ears of the dangers and labors
that were undertaken for her sake. The
pomp of courtship could never have been
brought so distinctly before the eyes of the
world as in the pleasant province of Nj
caragua.
At last the house was ready. The pro-
visions and the furniture were put in it,
and the hearts of the overworked competi-
tors beat rapidly as the fortunate or the IA
tai moment approached.
A solemn feast was held in the new house
When. supper was concluded the damse
rose and made short but gracious speech
She first thanked them all heartily for The
labor they had undergone on her behalf
She then said that she wished it was in hel
power to make so many women that shs
could provide wife for each of her suitors
In times past they had seen what loving
mistress she had been to each of them; bu
now she was going to be married, and tc
belong to one alone-and this is the one
she said; whereupon she took the chosen
suitor by the hand, and retired from the
apartment. Her choice having been declar
ed, the disappointed suitors and their respec
tive factions went away amicably, and con
cluded the feast by dancing and drinking
until the senses of most of them were over
come.
As to the bride, she was henceforward ut
terly cold to all her former lovers, and show
ed herself to be true wife. The disap
pointed suitors, for the most part, bore thei
disappointment meekly, but sometimes j
happened that on the morning after the mar
riage one or two of them were found hang
ing from tree, apd there the bodies remain
ed, ghasIly spectacle of horrors, to show
the world how the fair Nicaraguan had beer
loved and lost.-TAe Spanish Conquest II
Anaerica, By arthur Helps.