The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-12
A Chinese Marriage.

Charles Samson, and interpreter of Chi
nese and English, born in China, but educa-
ted in San Francisco, was married recently,
Ia Chtn0ssc, to young Chinese girl
named All Guy, which, being translated,
means "Alice, the Angel" At about five
o'clock the female chaperoncs conducted the
girl in their charge to the rooms of her flu
turc husband, but before she crossed the
threshold Of the door they threw a heavy
handkerchief over her head and shut out
everything from her sight. This, they told
her, was to warn her that in entering the
married state she was groplng in the dark
future; but that, with implicit faith in the
husband and relying upon him to guide her,
che need not fear making misstcp. She
was then conducted to the first room and
the room adjoining, where she met the man
that was to become her husband. lie was
standing by bed In the room, and as she
approached the handkerchief was removed
from her head and both sat on the edge OF
the bed. In sitting down lie Intentionally
sat on portion of the long silken skirt she
wore. She made no attempt to remove the
garment, and by allowing him to remain
seated on 1t gave proof that she was his
captive and willing to submit to his orders.
Had She, however, drawn the garment to-
ward her 1t would hare been proof that she
would not be submissive, and would not
obey him unless she felt inclined to do 80.
The pair then knclt before a small altar,
from which hung ancestral tablets, and each
offered prayer, after which they went into
the other room, where they seated them
selves. One of the chapcroncs poured tea
into two of the cups and offered these to
the groom and bride, telling each to take a
sip. This being done they took the cups
again, mixed the contents, and, returning
them to the pair, told them to drink, saying
that as their lips had touched the beverage
they would draw inspiration from each
other by partaking of the mixture. The
bride, accompanied by the chapcroncs, fol-
lowed by the groom and some relatives,
formed procession and left the house,
amid tho explosion Of flrccrackcrs, and
marched through Stouts alley to the res
taurant on Jackson street, where the guests
had assembled and were waiting on tho
third floor. AS the party assembled the
stairs an orchestra played an air which q
stretch of imagination might construc into
wedding march. AS the bride entered
the room where the guests were assembled
she was supported by the two chapcroncs,
and had her face hid from view by large
fan. Sho was then led around to each of
the guests, and rs she approached she cour-
tested three times. The guests returned the
courtesy and then rccited provcrb, to
which the bride replied. After having
gone through the ordeal | ] times the party
sat down to banquet got up in the highest
style of Chinese culinary art. The first
course, which lasted nearly two hours, be-
ing over, the bride was escorted to hcr
home again. During the evening a
reporter, who attended the banquet, was
asked by the groom to pay visit to the
bride. On the way to the brides home tho
groom said: 81 have been married in the
true Chinese fashion to please my Chinese
friends. The ceremonies last several days,
and at the expiration of the seventh day
will 60 before justice of the peace and he
married in the American fashion," The
reporter having been shown to seat in tho
bridal house was requested to wait few
minutes until the bride was ready to come,
as she was very bashful. In few minutes
the bride, supported by an elderly Chinese
female, came from an adjoining room. She
was attircd In new dark silk gown, which
touched the floor and hid her feet fro n view:
on her arms were heavy gold bracelets, and
On the fingers OF her left hand two gold
rings. Her raven black hair was pomaded
and dressed with artificial flowers and gold
pieces AS she entered the room she held
large fan In front of her face, which she
lowered three times successfully, and then
bowed three times to the reporter. The
elderly woman then handed her a tray on
which were several cups of tea, in each of
which was a small rose. This she in turn
presented to tho reporter, who took one of
the proffered cups and according to instruc-
tions said, ''Thank you." She then pre-
sented the tray to the groom, who also took
a cup OF tea. The bride then offered some
sweetmeats, which were partakcn of.
While the reporter and the groom were sip
ping their tea the bride backed out of tho
room, hiding her face from view as she did
SO.
'You see, said tie groom, 'shc backs
out OF your presence; that is sign of res
pect; If she did not respect you she would
have turned her back on you as she left the
room."