The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-05-26
IRISH MATCHMAKING.

In the west Of Ireland the feelings of
the Young woman are seldom consulted
in matters matrimonial Her father
being the best Judge of what is for his
daughters advantage, opposition on
her part j. OF very rare occurrence, ex-
cept where she has taken the precau-
tion Of providing herself with husband
beforehand When match is made
and the bargain concluded. il the girl
declines 10 accept the husband selected
she quickly loses caste, the young men
considering that disobedient daughter
must If necessity make an uncomfOrta-
BILE wife.
Still more exceptional is any ohjec-
ton on the part Of the young man TO
the wife selected for him by MS father.
as he feels quite satisfied that expert
ence enables his parent To Judge OF the
temper and qualifications of a woman
much better than he possibly could.
Moreover. the father has the advantage
of being able 10 examise her merits
with a perfectly impartial and at the
same time fairly critical eve. Interest
and inclination alike lead him TO make
the best selection: he does it only after
an infinite amount of cogitation; bat
when his choice IS made il i unaltera-
BILE; and he viii obstinately contend
for his sons interest without single
thought of the young woman's inclina-
tons, taking il for granted that they
will be in accordance with her fathers
wishes. The mother has little to say
IN the matter on either side. She
never goes matchmaking, and is not in
any way consulted, being only acquaint-
ed with the intentions Of her husband
for their son. when he has made up his
mind Marriage is a matter of bust
ness, and Il Is ike any other bargain,
made with the shrewd humorous calcu-
lating caution which characterizes the
Connaught man. Marriage gifts, such
A. pigs poultry, = cow, etc. play an
important part in the arrangements;
and the girls father has been known to
refuse 20 give her single penny Of for
tune until the bridegroom's parent had
conceded 70 her a favorite Matching
goose The following i a specimen Of
the way in which matrimonial affairs are
managed west Of the shannon:
s.Get out nv sunday clothes, judy
said old Corny O'Byrne one evening
when he had returned from his work.
I'm -oin' over 10 Pether Linskey's to-
night.
"Musha, Corny, an what are ye 20
IN fors" Judy asked, a. she unlocked
q large deal chest painted red, which
stood near the fireplace, and carefully
took oat blue frieze tail-coat, with
bright metal buttons. pair Of light
cOlored knee-breeches, ribbed wor.ted
stockings. q pair 81 strong shoes, and
billyc0ck hat, which. with = red cotton
pocket handkerchief with q lowered
border (which he carried in his hat),
and a stout blackthorn shillelah, con-
stituted Corny's sunday suit.
" Sure. I'm goin' 10 make a match
between our Dermott an Katie Lins-
kew lie said Al last in reply 10 his
wIfe's question. "She's a purity colleen,
an the boy is mighty plased with her,
intirely.
$50 she j., Corny, laukie little girl.
an she'll have 2 snug fortune, maybe.
Pether i a dacent honest mani
"Faah. judy, an he is that same. or
i isn't Corny O'Byrne that would 'cut,
shuttle. 0r dale with him or his: an
Dermott tells me Katie likes him.
Ar why wouldn't she. Corny?
There's notas purity a boy in the parish,
nor betther," Judy said proudly
"ThrCe Tor We, ashore; give vs. out
the ould stockin' and we make a match
~ il this Shrovetide with the blessin' o.
81. Pathrick." Corny replied.
From the fUrthest corner of the chest
judy drew ont carefully an old worsted
stocking and handed il 10 her husband,
who weighed It in his hand, and then.
with a -ly wink. buttoned it into one Of
his pockets. "This ii DO the business,
Judy, he said. as he left the house,
with many Banaughth-Laths God pros
per. Of b. with you from his wife.
Peter Iinskev was a small farmer liv-
ing about 3 quarter ~ a mile from
Corny'- cabin. He had several sons
aud one daughter. Katie, who was con-
sidered the {" beauty Of the village 81
Ballvmoyne. Her eldest brother was
about '0 De married and bring his wife
home. and her father considered il
would be very advisable 20 get Katie
married ard settled before the arrival
Of her sister-in-law, and Dermott
O'Byrne-a fine. strappng young fell
low, very steady and good naiurcd--
Old Peter thought would make 4 very
good husband for his girl, Especially as
he was anonly child), If no better sutton
offered.
When C0rny O'Byrne reached Peter
Linskey'. cabin he put in his head over
the haif-d00r and said in Irish: " God
save All nere,m the customary form Of
greeting to that and many other parts
n Ireland.