The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-04-10
The Coy Karenn Maid.

M The Coy Karenn Maid.
AmOng the Karenns of Burmah
marriages must accompany the cele-
bfatiOn Of funeral rites. These are
attended by the narriageable young
women and eligible bachelors of the
Village in which the dead person has
Hsed. Spectators of both sexes come
N great numbers; but their proceed
Ings are limited to criticism and the
picking UP of ideas for future at
fempts of their own in the matrimo-
Nal market. There are of course
numbers of Old people present, but
whether to do honor to the obsequles
oftheir former neighbor in what En-
ropeans would consider the orthodox
way is not apparent. 1t appears more
likely that they come to observe the
doings of their young charges.
The marriageable young men and
f.Iailens separate and seat themselves
on opposite sides of the remains, all
ofthem being dressed in their gayeSt.
The opening of the funeral service
begins with chorus by the men cele-
braling the beauties of the Karenn
maiden in general, her charms of
movements and modesty of carriage.
The girls respond in falsetto of the
usual drawling character, calmly ac-
ceptiIg the euIogy of their graces, and
making delicate illusions to the fif-
teen hundred desires, to some of
which it is not impossible they may
succumb.
This preliminary being over, the
actual business begins, and the young
bachelors, each in his turn, delivers
himself Of a loYe-stricken solo, sung
to the damsel, whether previously
known OF not, who has won his affec-
tiOns.
The matter of the proposals thus
publicly made is not as a rule very
violently original. The girl is COM
pared to flower, to the hare, to the
moon, to the stars, to a rosary of en-
eralds or rubies, to maid of the pal
ance. 1t is asserted that she would
ruin the peace of mind of a hermit
and bring him back to sober house
keeping. No painter could copy her
charms his picture would be fail
ure, and he would be infallibly knock
ed on the head by the singer for his
impudence in venturing so hopeless
an attempt, The once.rejected suitor
usually adopts the plaintive line he
is so disturbed IN mind that he can
neither eat nor drink he perspires so
with agitation that he will die before
morning; he is like the water-liIy
that fades away when the sun shines
upon it; he is like the sun itself, for
he cannot rest in peace, but roams
about Wanting the praises of his love
through all the city and country side.
1t may naturally be thought that
the girls thus publicly wooed ought
to feel embarrassed. If they are,
Karenn maidens show more than
feminine tact in keeping concealed
whatever awkwardness they may
feel. They look as If they like the
situation rather than otherwise. The
answering of the proposal is differ
ent matter. Ladies all the world over
in such circumstances, give answers
which, common report says, ought
not to be taken too literally. 1t is the
same with the Karenn belle. Her
answer. as a rule, is stereotyped. All
the praise is appropriated as little
more than her just due. She declares
that 1t is shameful thing not to be
married, but it is a worse matter still
to be divorced afterwards, "to be like
a dress that has been washed - but
she will do what she is bid, though
she cannot think of being aught but
afraid of men yet, all of which makes
the aspiring lover grin from ear to
ear with satisfaction.
Occasionally, however, a sprightly
damsel strikes out a line for herself
She hints that the song directed to
her is rather niggardly in its praises
She is not going to sell herself undel
cost price. If people like to say she
is mad after a husband, let them say
so. She is not like day dim with
the heat gaze, not like a diamond thai
has lost the foil below to set it off, moi
like peacock's tail draggled in the
wet, the Specification of which is thai
the wrong man has sung to her, ant
the lucky swain will be marvellous
fool if her eyes do not let him know
that his suing will have a pleasanteI
answer.
Now and then man gets direc
refusal, and as it is difficult to inyes
blunt mo" with melodious merit
the rejection is couched in somewha
the following fashion: Come to mi