The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-11-01

VIC slIA W oeeu SOmoClmoS gives OCCos
sion for the committing of fraud; and q
case came under the notice of the wri.
ter, which, on account OF its rarity, is
was by some chance or other not mar.
ried in his infancy, but being DESTROYS
of marriage, he sent for the barber. and
commanded him to hunt 10 q wife for
him. The barber, in compliance with
his wish, went to neighboring village
in quest Of one, when he met man
Who said he had a grown DIP daughter
Who would just do for the young
man. The barber, thinking himself to Be
very fortunate, at once settled the en-
gagement, and as the parties were about
the usual age, settled the marriage day,
too: On the fixed day the bridegroom
arrived with one or two friends to be
married. The us1ai ceremony was gone
through with person whose face, of
course, the young man could not see,
Tie next morning the father of the girl
put her in palaquin to be taken to the
bridegrooms home. The custom usually
is fol, the bridegroom to ride with the
oa'ankeen, which our young friend &C.
:or.ingly did.
On the way, in an oit.of-the way place,
The bride asked the bearers of the pal.
"
accordingly put the palanQuin down and
withdrew to a short distance, it being
considered extremely impolite to look
at q bride. On their withdrawal tho
bride got out Of the palanpuin and dis
appeared, The bridegroom, getting
alarmed at her non-appearance for 4
long time, made a search for her in the
neighborhood, but to no purpose. for
the bride had run away with all the
jewe!ry which he had presented to her.
1t was afterward discovered that the
unfortunate young man underwent the
whole ceremony with man disguised
as woman, and that the supposed re-
lations of the girl were a gang of sharp
ers: This { hope will show the great
fault Of not allowing the face of the girl
to be seen at the marriage ceremony.
But to resume. The ceremony being
over; the next two days are spent in en-.
tertaining the bridegroom's party. The
entertaining generally consists of feast.
ing and the dancing Of Nautch girls at
night.
On the third day TIE party retires,
taking the bride with them. It is often
\ pitiable sight to see married girl of
eight years of age leaving her parents
house and going, although only for
After this she is considered married
woman, and enjoys all the privileges OF
one in her fathers home.
Three or four years after this my
third period begins, which, as already
mentioned is called the contamination Of
marriage. This consists of the husband
coming and taking home his wife. This
is done. unfortunately, at period when
the husband is scarcely over fourteen or
fifteen years of age. What effect this
early marriage has on a boy of fifteen,
who ought to be, and generally is now,
in school, | leave the reader to con-
template. Just fancy to yourself each
Elton boy possessing a wife!. Indian
youths VINO nave obtained English edu-
cation hate the custom, yet they are
married in infancy, and they cannet
help il.
1t is to be hoped, however, that some
reformers will soon arse in India, and
some more philanthropists will go out
from this Christian country to free In.
dia from this most ruinous of curses.