The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-09-07
A SIAMESE ROMANCE.
BY MRS. Al. LEoNowENs.

even women, who wish TO become
learned in the doctrines of the Bud
dhist religion, are obliged to enter the
priesthood, just as our young men, in
order TO be fitted TO preach, must gC
through course of study in some the
ological seminary. This ancient Gus.
tom is so popular in Siam that every
man in the kingdom, of whatever rank
or condition in life, whether prince, OF
slave, or peasant, feels bound TO enter
the buddhist priesthood at some peri
od of his life. Very often mobiles in
Siam take refuge in the monastery, TO
escape the political animosity and per-
secution of the chief rulers. At other
times it is a mere preteXt for idleness,
for Buddhist priest is fed and clothed
by the community at large. Only in
rare instances is the priesthood entered
from pure love of study, and devotion
TO religious principle. Once in the
buddhist priesthood, however, all rank
and social distinctions are laid aside.
Each one rises by his own personal
merit, talent, or individual superiority.
While in Buddhist orders, they are for
hidden TO touch silver or gold, TO trade,
TO attend any place of amusement, to
marry, or even to touch or converse
with women. Indeed, all the priests of
Siam use a sort of concave fan, where
with they vail their faces when they are
I'm the streets, or in any public place,
so that their eyes might not tempt
their thoughts to stray.
The most interesting of the priests
whom knew in Siam was one called
Maha Roht, which name means "The
great salvation" lie was an extraor-
dinarily large man, broad-shouldered,
muscular, and of almost gigantic
stature, but with nature as gentle as
1t was impressible. There was con-
fidiDg look in his face which was quite
winning and charming.
The first time met him was in a temple,
when he was chanting vigorously at the
top of his voice, which was so deep and
musical that l expressed my admiration
OF it TO the King, by whose invitation 1
was present at the service. The King,
who also enjoyed the singing, interpret
ed my laudatory remarks to the stall
wart priest, who, to my utmost surprise,
while vailirg his face from the King,
turned 10 me and winked with his left
eye. was both puzzled and amused,
matter, as so many of the Siamese
priests were SO peculiarly waggish.
A few days after, who should be ush-
cred up into my parlor but Maha Roht
himself, still vailing his face with his
fan, and accompanied by five young
priests. Just at this time | had with
me a pretty English dressmaker, named
Annie Elliott, who was seated in the
parlor, because it was the coolest room
in the house, busily at work over a new
dress which she was making for me.
The moment the priest saw her he
seemed to be captivated with her
bright, fresh, blooming face But his
first step was to send the young priests
down stairs to play with my boy. He
then sat down and began to gaze at her,
with looks that expressed the most un-
disguised admiration.
ado you really admire this young
lady?" said l, addressing the enrap-
tured priest.
"Admire?'' said Maha Roht, with
droll shake of the head, al am delight
cd with her! adore her! How old is
shc?''
This latter, you must know, is one of
the first questions that the Siamese put
60 a stranger.
ais she more beautiful than the ST.
amese ladies?" Inquired, curious to
hear what he would say.
go, yes said he, very energetically.
Sour women are yellow, but she is red,
white, blue and every color"
After a little while the dressmaker,
who did not understand word of the
Siamese language, but who felt that
she was the subject of our converse
ton, asked me what the priest had
been saying.
When | informed her of his sudden
admiration for her, she was so amused
that she turned to me her bright, smil-
ing face, and sparkling blue eyes, and
begged me TO tell him, just for fun,
that he was a very fine man, and that
she also returned his admiration most
cordially.
When this was interpreted to the
priest, his mouth gradually opened
wider and wider, and his eyes grew
circular with wonder and delight. lie
sat for nearly an hour in this bljssful
state; then he rose and left the room
very reluctantly, bidding us a very
tender good-by, and begging me to tell |
the beautiful English girl that she was
sweeter than the rose apples or the |
mangoes, and that he would surely |
come again; for her not to be sad or
lonely.
Next evening 4" Great Salvation" ap-
peared again, with a glowing face,
bringing with him a beautiful rose plant
in full bloom, in a very costly Chinese
vase.
As soon as Annie Elliott saw him (not
knowing the customs of the Buddhist
priests, she sprang forward and ex-
tended her hand 10 welcome him. But
Maha Roht, true TO his priestly VOWS,
recoiled from the girl in horror, giving
her TO understand that the flower-pOt
was indeed for her, but that she must
not come any nearer TO him, because
he was priest.
The poor girl did not understand a
word Of what he had said, and she gave
him a look of such indignation ana sur
prise that the unhappy priest was sad
" perpleXed, and before l could eX-
plain the matter, he began,
"Thou blue lotus-eyed beauty, for
give me. / can not yet, because of my
vows, touch thy hands, seeing thou art
a woman; but behold!" said he, eX-
tending his old Chinese umbrella,
"take thou hold of the other extremity,
and LET us shake it between us, by way
of friendship and affection"
The indignant dressmaker, however,
declined to shake the end of his UNI
brella. instead of which she shook her
pretty head reproachfully at him. I
In this extremity he SITS htway
pulled out from under hi Laded yellow
robe. a still more fpded and dirty hand
kerchief which he wrapped round his
RIGHT hand. After he had covered it |
over, he said, very knowingly, TO me-
a. This won't be touching her, after |
all, for l shall fling the old cloth off the
,,,oment we have shaken hands"
He then approached Annie Elliott,
and nervously extended his covered
hand to her. -.
-, q most beyitching look of Of