The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-06-10
A COp,ic Wedding.

knew the little bride; pretty child,
not day over fifteen, with great, dark
eyes and dimpled cheeks, white, even
teeth, and rich, fair complexion. She
had often come in to spend an hour
with me in my home in Cairo, afording
me much diversion by her childish, art
less ways and merry laughter.
But now she was to be married-this
baby girl. Her future husband had
never seen her face; for, according to
the custom of the people, the parents
had made all the arrangements, and
the contract usual in such ceremonies
had been drawn up by the fathers and
mothers and signed in the presence of
a priest, without word or suggestion
from the parties most concerned in the
transaction. The intended bridegroom
was young clerk in the employ of an
English friend, handsome, intelligent
boy, but with little experience in life
On the night of the marriage, the
bridal process on, or Zetfeh, as it Is
called, looked as if wrapped in flames
as it came slowly up the narrow street
in the midst of hundreds of colored
torches. A band was playing Arab
tunes, and women were ringing out
the Misunderstanding laugh of Joy
which is kind of tr;ll made with the
tongue and throat. The entire way
was lit with expensive fireworks Of
brilliant variety, and all the street
wraps worn were of gorgeous colors.
Our little friend marched in this slow
procession. her features concealed, as
usual: that is, she was wrapped in a
Il, Il,
opy, as in Arab weddings, although in
many respects the Coptic ceremony Is
similar to the Moslems.
She wore white silk gown embroid-
cred with gold, and over tAis a long
flowing robe of lace, while masses of
diamonds fastened the white face-veil
to her turban. Just before her walked
two little boys carrying censers, the
smoke of which must have poured di-
rectly into her face as she walked slow
ly on, enveloped in her cashmere wrap
pings.
On either side and little in advance
of the bride were the male relatives and
friends, while behind her, continually
thrilling the zaghareet, followed the fe-
male friends; and along the whole pro-
cession two boys ran back and forth,
bearing silver TASKS of pomegranate
form filled with perfume which they
jetted into the faces of the guests in
most delicious spray.
The house of the bridegroom's father,
where the marriage was to take place,
situated in narrow street off the
looski, and as we reached the entrance
se were met by black slaves who handed
us each lighted taper. Then a sheep
was killed on the 'door-stone--a custom,
1 believe, observed only in Cairo and
some of the larger cities of Egypt.
The bride, glittering with her diamonds
and gorgeous costume, was carried
over it aud then the whole procession
walked over the blood-the body hav-
ing been removed-all of us bearing
our lights-went into the marriage, and
the door was shut. Does it not remind
you of the parable of the ten virgins
of old?
We were conducted to a room, very
lofty and spacious. A low divan
reached around il and constituted its
sole furniture, excepting the table on
which was spread the marriage supper.
At this supper / witnessed custom
which reminded me of an old Roman
story. A slave brought in two sugar
globes on separate dishes. When these
were placed upon the table one of the
guests was invited to open them. I'm
mediately upon one having been broken
out flew lovely white dove, its neck
enoircled with tiny bells which rang
merrily as it flew about. The other
dove did not at fisst fly, when liberated