The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-07-19
Marriage I'm ChInn.

Or the wedding.day the guests
assemble in the bridegroom's house.
Then procession il formed, consisting
of friends, bands of music and sedan
chairs decorated in red and gold, with
bearers in red coats, and dressed in q sor.
Of livery, sometimes wearing red caps.
The procession starts from the house
with courier at the head. He bears a
large piece of pork on tray, to keep off
malicious demons who may be lurking
on the street corners and in the alleys.
These demons are supposed to tackle the
pork, and while they are thus busted the
procession passes on without being affect.
ed by their evil influence. All this time
the bride is at her own house, erraying
herself in her best dress and richest
jewels. her hair is bouud up and ar.
rayed in due form and style by skilled
matron. After this her hend-dress ia
donned. 1t usually consists of some rich
material sprinkled with ornaments. A
large mantle is then thrown over her.
1t completely covers her. Last of all an
enormous hat, as large as an umbrella, is
placed on her head. It comes down to
her shoulders, completely hiding her
the red gilt marriage chair, called kpa
is carried to her husband by four men.
When the bride ia seated in the chair
her mother or somo other rciativc locks
the door, and the key is given to the best
man. 1 suppose he turns IL over to the
bridegroom on reaching his house. Tie
procession returns with mora care and
more style. saw one during 4 ramble
in Chinese town. AS the bride was
borne, past Us we gave her three cheers.
dare say that all her children will be
either knock kneed or bow. legged because
of the cheers Of the barbarians. Good
luck TO the poor bot.!ed-up one. She
had the best wishes OF all our party, as
we followed the procession for some
squares, to the great astonishment of all
the Cinnamon on the street.
AS the procession approached the
bridegroom's door band stationed there
struck up tune, and fire.crackers were
lot of by the box until the bride was
carried within the gate. The GO between
then got the key from the bridegroom aud
opened the door of the sedan chair. AS
the bride alighted she was saluted by a
small child at the side of the old man.
The groom was closeted within the house,
and she went in to seek him. She still
wore the enormous hat and mantle
When she found the groom no greeted
her with great gravity. They both ap.
proached the ancestral tablet and bowed
their heads three times. They next took
seats at small table bearing two COB.
lets tied together with thread and con.
tanning wine. The go.between severed
the thread, but the bride failed to quench
her thirst, owing to the enormous hat
and mantle.
1 .xr1.-t : . E. = ~ V
The two were now man and wife. The
husband took the hat and mantle from
the bride, and for the first time in his
life had q look at her. After, he had
looked at her for some minutes he called
in his friends and guests. 4 They scruti:
nized her and made no bones of express
Ing their opinions concerping hSr charms
The females gave their tongues, full
scope, and had no mercy upon the pool
| bride. She took It all without MAKING
any disagreeable answer. for fear thai
the match would be considered an ma.
lucky one these cruel criticispns ended
!. aee was introduced ;.to her :husband,t
lpagerta abs saiuted her ewn