The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-15
RUSSIAN couRTsHIPs.
now Girls Are wooed and Won In the
Muscovite Empire.

| now Girls Are Wooed and Won In thu
Muscovite Empire.
The Countess Norrigkow, of St
Petersburg, Russia, has been making
the tour of the States during the last
six months, and has been stopping in
Brooklyn at the house of a friend fol
two or three weeks before departing
tor her. home. Speaking to a reporter
Of courtships in Russia she said:
81 will tell you story of love
making in Russia. In this my country
laen and women differ somewhat from
the Americans and those of other
elimes. They are inclined to be little
Elore demonstrative. less given to con-
Cealing the feelings of the heart, and
less inclined to regard money as a
necessary consideration in the settle
Inent of affairs of the heart. When =
Russian girl loves she loves with her
whole heart and being. Her love sur
Mounts every obstacle.
ut is the custom of Russian young
folks to meet together by appointment
Ii the long, stormy winter evenings.
selecting the house of each by turn.
The evenings pleasure begins by the
young men inviting their fair friends
ID join them in forming circle. This
done. they all join in singing, after
which one of the girls selects her young
Sentleman-(moi miloD my love, as
she calls him-and leads him into the
middle of the circle; then walks back
and forth chanting love song. in
which the rest ofthe guests join.
Next in turn come the young men.
Each select a partner and go through
tle same performance, the whole affair
terminating with dancing, after which
each swain escorts the object of his
choice to her home. When the time
strives for a declaration to be made
the youth, accompanied by some men,
Der of his family. proceeds to the home
Of his lady love and there makes known
mis- errand to the girls parents.
The mother, not at all surprised,
usually reads the young man a long
lecture on the duties and burdens of q
married life, bewailing all the ills and
speaking of but few of the blessings,
and ends by declaring that her daugh-
ter is too young to marry yet and be
given over to the cruel tyranny of
husband. All this is but u custom
which must be observed. that the young
man may not think his bride too easily
won. A stirring appeal from the sutton
and the mother finally gives d
rather unwilling assent with the pro-
viso. if the father is willing. This is 4
needless precaution on her part, for. as
a rule, the father is only too willing to
ease himself of the burden of the daugh-
ter's support.
"All this time the poor victim is in
the next room, where she has heard
every word. and understands her
tactics perfectly well. All |
Dreliminaries arranged between lover
and mother, the daughter is called in
% receive the maternal blessing. i'll
stead of which she falls on her knees |
before her mother, praying not to be
AIKEN from her. She describes the
beauties of her virgin life. and declares
The has no wish to change it. The
laughter finally yields her consent.
1.-The young people then kneel to re-
,eive the paternal blessing, which is
,iven with great deal of ceremony,
lfter which the priest is called upon to
,estow his blessing, which is very
beautiful and impressive, and at the
nd he places a ring on the hand Of
ach. This concludes the engagement
CEREMONY, after which tea is served and
IL the ncighbors are called in to join
n the festivities.
1.-The engagement ceremony con-
luded, the lovers are then free to make
heir own arrangements in regard to
he time and place of marriage. They
isit and receive friends. and are con-
idered almost the same as married" ~
Y Y Telegram.