The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-06

escorted by the little girls up TO Tue
bride. who rose, descended from her
elevation. and stood in the centre OF tn
room. The father, = venerable oid
patriarch, camo forward. bearing al
sword i'm his hand. ~ he stood IN
front Of her. he drew il from the scab
bard and presented it to her. say ing
Ny daughter. present YOU your
liberty This is his Remuneration OF
parental authority: for that one moment
IN her life she is free: should she select
to keep the sword. she is her own mis-
tress henceforth: no power on earth
could force her marriage nor could her
father take back bis authority. Whether
that is ever actually done or not. ! do
not know.
1t was not in this instance, for turn
ing she presented the drawn sword to
her bridegroom. tLen. as be held 1t IN
the air. she gracefully bowed her pretty
head and pas ed beneath the blade ana
his outstretched arm, showing her sub
mission to his protection ard control.
Laying down the sword. he raised her
veil. which half corceaed aud half re-
vealed her blushing face. and drew the
end across his shoulders. This. say
they. symbollzas his assumption OF his
new responsibilities and constitutes his
pledge that he will love, cherish and
defend Ler-"And the governmentsh all
be upon his shoulders.
The signing OF the contract was the
next step. but as the writing Vas III
Arabic. the readiug Of the long parch-
ment roll was Of little meaning to u.
and we could only watch the manner
of the siguers. l. was at least evident,
even to the most casual on-lookers' that
the little brides heart went with her
hand and that it was no mere love al
the fathers ducals that influenced him.
for the shy. sweet glance that she be-
slowed on him were returned with IN
terest. And it was in no Arabic chlrac-
tiers that they were writ, but III the
worlds universal language, old as the
Garden of Eden. and requiring no Vol
apuk to translate.
When the procession was formed TO
take the bride 10 her husband : house.
she was enyei0ped from head to foot M
n white Cashmere shawl, while the
other ladies covered themselves VIII
wraps of gorgeous colors. Just in froat
of the bride. who was clinging to her
husband + hand. marched two hos = car
rying censors filed with incense which
they waved back and forth. On either
, side. and a little in front, came the male
relatives aud friends. while behind
the bridal couple followed the
/ women. 4 band playing the Ep'
2 thaIamium preceded the whole
, and through the streets rang out the
I IN kharut, or wedding laugh OF JOY
The BOYS bore parti.colored torches
while the girls carried lamps and odd
q shaped lanterns. The whole procession
4 or ZitTeh. as it is called. looked as II d
4 were wrapped in flames as 1t came
i winding aud coiiug W and down th'
& narrow streets. At intervals on th'
/. route fireworks were displayed by Per
+ sons stationed for that purpose. and th
"a procession was increased by bands o
d BOYS and girls. who, with lamps au'
tor .hes, emerged from the d'ifereh
h houses along the route to take part II
it: list so the Ten Virgins might hav
Weakened up at the sound Of the Ligha
g rut. and come out to JOIN in the teas.
j. ing.
. On we wound. till tho house cf tn
d Bridegroom was reached, when I'd
p wide doors were flung open. pousin
out a welcoming food OF perfume liSn
+ aud brightness. All were invited {
l. enter in and partake of the feast. an
r. then the bolts and bans were shut o.
il all late corners. As they were SHOT INT
I. their places one could but think Of lh
Il five foolish ones aud their piuiui wal
10 dark and chill the night
u oh, let us in, that We may nnd the isht.
:. And the inexorabls answer hat come
from within:
Ie Too late, too late. Sc cannot euterno~.