Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-09-01
Turanian C%ourtships.

Counting is a matter which must be
treated OF very cautiously and only in
the abstract, Notwithstanding Sydney
Smiths structures on the damsel whom
he overheard in an Edinburg ballroom.
The youth in love is looked upon by his
friends as a fool, and to be avoided like
a man with the smallpox OF an Irish
man with views on the Land act. His
rhapsodies make the Benedick smile, or
sshudder, and the ungalled bachelor
yawn. In the East it is different.
1t is a matter of common knowledge
that pretty we'll all over India mar
rlages are arranged for the young per-
sons by their parents, sometimes before
the victims have got beyond toddling
about naked and making mud-pies. No
very enthusiastic passion is to be ex-
pected OF young couples thus con-
tracted to m another. The young
male always appears at a disadvantage
in affairs of the heart, but it is a thou
sane times more embarrassing for him
when these soft things have to be adj
dressed to the fair n in the presence
OF three or four other girls and a COM
panion or two of his own, all of them
presumably bored, and therefore vicious
ly critical. But we have nothing to do
with the actual agencies of the martyrs
to such a style of love-making. The
proceedings which go before the inter-
view are a more public matter, and
eminently calculated to exasperate testy
neighbors.
Counting in Burmah is all done at
night. Burmese houses are all on piles,
and v more than one story high.
AS a general rule there are only two or
three rooms altogether, and there are,
therefore. but two courses open to the
elders. They must either 90 out and
wander about while the counting goes
on or they must go to bed. The for
mer alternative does not commenditself
to the mother, who likes to superintend
operations for herself through a conven-
lent slit in the bamboo walls; and going
on to bed as twere at word Of command
is only compatible with a most mild
and yielding disposition in the father.
Consequently when the girl is arrayed
Tor conquest-flowers twincd in her
halr, fragrant cosmetics on her cheek
and neck, and her ti%nger-nails deli
ca'ely tinted-it is not always possible
70 summon the ardent youth forthwith.
lie Is outside, dressed in his smartest
and with a couple of companions bent
possibly on the same errand as himself,
out he is obliged to stay there till be gets
.le signal that the coast is clear and
mat he may come up. Every youth
mas his own private signal by means of
which he announces to his lady-love his
arrival in the street. This is almost in
varIably effected by means of a fiddle
WIN two strings. 1t is a sad fact that
loung Burmah is a lamentable failure
on the fiddle. Each youth must have
his W particular call, that the lady
may know who it is that is coming, and
not be imposed upon by mischievous
iokers or rowing, irresponsible gallants.
%iagganini is said to have playedbewitch-
ansly on n string. The Burman is
successful only in producing horrible
sounds on two. There is a great lack
~ lnventlveness in these counting calls.
me youth confines himself to the down.
s.roke, and drones away monotonously,
o"I with great staying power. When
n' last the happy man receives his sum-
''ns there is peace again for a time.