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 cduca-
ted in San Francisco, was married recently,
la Chinoisc, to young Chinese girl
named Ah Guy, which, being translated,
means "Alice, the Angel" At about five
o'clock the female chaperones conducted the
girl in their charge to the rooms of her fu-
turc husband, but before she crossed the
threshold Of the door they threw 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,
she 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 rs she
approached tho handkerchief was removed
from her head and both sat on the edge OF
the bed. In sitting down he intentionally
sat on a 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 have been proof that sh
would not be submissive, and would not
obey him unless she felt Inclined to do So
The pair then knclt before 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 chaperoncs 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 tho 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 the explosion of frccrackcrs, and
marched through Stout's alley to the res
taurant on jackson street, where the guests
nad assembled and were waiting on tho
third floor. AS the party assembled the
stairs an orchestra played All air which a
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 a large
the guests, and as she approached she cour-
tested three times. The guests returned the
courtesy and then rccitcd a provcrb, to
which the bride replied. After having
gone through the ordeal l IL 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 her
,rsn
reporter, who attended the banquet, was
asked by the groom to pay visit to the
bride. On tho way to the brides home the
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 go before justice of the peace and be
married in the American fashion," The
reporter having been shown to seat in the
bridal house was requested to wait a few
minutes until the bride was ready to come,
as she was very bashful. In a 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 II view:
on her arms were heavy gold bracelets, and
on the fingers OF her left hand two gold
rings. Her raven black hair was pomadetl
and dressed with artificial flowers and gold
pieces. AS she entered the room she held
a large fan in front of her face, which she
lowered three times succcssivcly, and then
bowed three times to the reporter. The
elderly woman then handed her tray on
which were several cups of tea, in each of
which was small rose. This she in turn
presented to the reporter, who took one of
the protfcred cups and according to instruc-
tions said, ''Thank you." She then pre-
sented the tray to the groom, who also took
cup OF ten. 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 the
room, hiding her face from view as she did
SO.
"You see," said the groom, "shc backs
out OF your presence; that is a sign Of res
pect; If she did not respect you she would
have turned her back on you as she left the
room."