The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-07
A STRANGE CEREMONY.
The Queer Manner in Which "Alice, the
Angel" was Welded to Charles Jami-
son In San Erancisco.

The Queer Manner in Which "Alice, the
Angel" was Welded to Charles Janai-
| son In San Francisco.
The San Francisco Call OF recent date
says: Charles Jamison, an interpreter OF
Chinese and English, born in China but
educated in this city, was married last
night, a Ia Chinoise, to young Chinese
girl named All Qay, which, being trans
lated, means "Alice, the Angel" This
is the first marriage according to Chi
nese rites that has ever taken place in
this city. Miss All Gay, who is about
eighteen years Of age, was few days
ago placed in charge of two matrons,
who busted themselves in instructing
her in her duties as wife. A number
of the relatives Of the groom yesterday
morning sent Miss All Gay presents
of cakes, on which were printed notices,
CONGRATULATIONS and wishes of prosperity
in her new sphere of life. A large num-
ber of merchants and the president of
the Six Companies visited q Chinese
restaurant on Jackson street, where ban
quet was to be given after the ceremony,
and deposited with the proprietor sums
of money varying from one to ten dol
lars to be given to the groom. Each in
dividual donation was wrapped in q
strip of red paper and marked with the
name of the donor, and the packages
when indorsed were delivered to the
groom, who, according to the custom of
his country, was in duty bound to seek
out the donors and extend to each per-
sonal invitation to the banquet. One
hundredland eleven Cinnamon made do
nations, and as the groom had to invite
each one of these he had no Iii ght task
before him.
The groom had selected for his future
home two rooms on the first floor of the
old Baptist Church building on Wash
ington street. Those he had fitted in
part with Chinese and American furni-
ture. On the walls were hung a num-
ber of large strips of red paper, on which
were stamped Chinese proverbs relating
to marriage and msrried life. On q
table in the first room were lacquered
trays, containing Chinese dried fruits
and sweetmeats, while on Others were
tiny cups for tea. There were also on
the table Chinese ornaments and several
water-pipes.
Yesterday afternoon, at about five
o'clock, the female chaperones conducted
the girl in their charge to the rooms Of
her future 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 cropping in the dark future, but
that, placing implicit faith in the hus-
band, and relying upon him to guide
her, she need not fear Of making mis-
step. She was then conducted to the
first room, and then to the room adjoin-
ing, where she met the man who was to
become her husband. He was standing
by bed in the room, and as she ap-
preached the handkerchief was removed
from her head, and both sat on the edge
of the bed. In sitting down he intention
ally 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 her garment
gave proof that she was his captive and
willing to submit to his orders. Had
she, however drawn the garment
toward her it would have been proof
that she would not be submissive. and
would not obey him unless she felt in
clined to do so. The pair then knelt be-
fore small altar from which hung an
cestral tablets, and each offered a
prayer, after which they went into the
other room, where they seated them
selves. One of the chaperones 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 con-
tents, 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 cha
perones, followed by the groom and
some relatives, formed a procession and
left the house, amid the explosion of fire
cracker-, and marched through Stout's
alley to the restaurant on Jackson street,
where the guests were waiting on the
third floor. AS the party assembled the
stairs an orchestra played an air which
a stretch of imagination might construe
into a wedding march. As the bride
entered the room where the guests were
assembled, she was supported by the
two chaperones, and had her face hid
from view by large fan. She was led
around to each of the guests, and as she
approached curtsied three times. The
guest returned the curtsy, and then re-
cited q proverb, to which the bride re-
piled. After having gone through this
ordeal Ill times, the party sat down to a
banquet gotten up in the highest style OF
Chinese culinary art. The first course,
which lasted nearly two hours, being
over, the bride was escorted to her home
again.
During the evening a Call reporter,
who had attended the banquet, was
asked by the groom to pay a visit to the
bride. On the way to the brides home
the groom said: II have been married
in the true Chinese fashion to please my
Chinese friends. The ceremonies last
several days, and at the expiration ofthe
seventh day I will 60 before ajustice of
the peace and be married in American
fashion. Now, before you see my wife
l must give you some Instructions.
When you enter the room you must take
seat, and then the old women who
have charge of the bride will bring her
from the other room and she will offer
YOU a cup of tea and some sweetmeats.
You must take the offering and say
thank YOU for ifyou did not take it she
would look upon your refusal Us an in
suit. The reporter expressed willing
ness to follow instructions, and after
having been shown to seat in the bl ldal-
house, was requested to wait few min
utes until the bride was ready to come,
as she was very bashful. In a few min
utes the bride, supported by an elderly
Chinese female, came from an adjoining
room. She was attired in new dark
silk gown which touched the floor and
hid her feet from 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 a large fan in front of her face,
which she lowered three times success
sively, and then she 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 proffered
cups, and, according to Instructions, said
..Thank you" She then presented the
tray to the groom, who also took a cup
oftea. The bride then. offered some
e,,,aetr,opots. which were partaken OF.