The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-02-08
FOR THE LADIES.
oreelan MarrIage cn.,em..


receive the old danes courteonsly,
venture 10 ask the nature of their err
rand. The visitors never mention the
young mans name. and never drop
hint that they are wiIe-hunting. From
their demeanor one would suppose that
they were simply paying friendly
visit. As soon as the visitors have
made a choice the wooer dispatches
them again to the maiden's home with
instructions 10 ask her hand In mar
riage. They 20 TO the parents house,
and. standing on the threshold, say:
I'VE come 20 you your daughter Ia mar
rage seeking. To us be not dissapoint-
ing. The Syrian Greeks chant this in
Arabic, thus:
Ialnc0um Khaatbceu
l.ah-bmtcoum Iahlbccn
Lab terronddOons kiAiDeen.
III the maidens parents do not object
10 the proposed match they invite the
visitors TO enter the house and partake
Of their hospitality. The evening is
spent in Teasing and in making arrange
ments for the wedding. The girls
parents announce the amount OF her
dowry, and the young mans relatives
give an inventory OF his worldly posses
sions. The wooer himself visits the
girl on the following day and is form
ally betrotbed TO her. the ceremony
being performed by a priest. who simp-
~ hands TO the girl a small present
from her wooer. Thenceforward. until
the wedding takes place, he may visit
her every day, bit he will have no
chance 10 be alone with her.
When he enters the house her mother
4. A. - nd "A. -. col
10 keep her eye on him until he leaves.
That She 6ozes occasionally, however,
is proved by the fact that there are
few amorous young Greeks who do not
manage TO get taste Of their sweet
hearts lips long before they are mar
ried 10 them. A few stolen kisses, how
ever. are all the luxuros they can hope
10 obtain during this ante-nuptia period,
for tile girls are guarded most CAREFUL
ly. not because the parents dstrust the
suitors, but because they consider IL
their duty to protect their daughters
honor as long as they are under their
roofs.
Their guardianship does not last long
after a suitor declares himself. To get
married is his object, and he easily per-
suades his betrothed 10 have the cere-
mony performed during the next re-
hgious festival. When the wedding
day at last arrives he gathers his friends
ia his own house at noon and spreads a
marriage feast before them. HIS be-
trothed gathers her friends likewise and
entertains them in her parents home.
So in the two homes the day is spent in
feasting aud merrymaking. Friends
flock from all directions, and those who
enter the mans house say in greeting,
MAY good luck like this soon befall all
bachelors" while those who enter the
girls house say, MAY happiness like
this soon be the lot OF all young
maidens'
Not till midnight, however, does the
ceremony itself begin. Then all tile
young mans friends light their torches
and 20 with HIM 20 the house OF his be-
trothed. The maiden and her friends
await them, and without delay all form
n long procession aud march back 10 the
young mans house. Professional sing
ers lead the way, filling the air with
music, and blazing torches cast their
rudy light on the glad faces OF the rev.
elers and the beautiful faces and attire
of the stately Greek maidens.
WHEN THEY REACH THE HOUSE
they find priest ready TO perform the
marriage ceremony. To the young peo-
Pile before him he reads the ritual OF the
Greek Church, and then, after placing
his hands on their heads. first simply
and afterward crosswise. he joins their
hands and pronounces them man and
wife.
The guests now offer congratulations
and gifts, and the bridegroom in return
offers them beakers of wine and Other
lavish hospitality. So during the night
and long after dawn the feast Is contin
ued, and not until the sun Is high ia the
heaven has the bridegroom chance 70
be alone with his bride. By that time the
last guest has departed aud the onl,
persons in the house are the married
couple, the brides mother, aud the
bridegroom's parents. The two mothers
conduct the married couple To their n
partment. close the door on them, return
TO an adjoining room, and lying on couch
es remain there until the bride ant
groom come out TO break their feast
Then, IL all Is well. the old ladies retire
TO enjoy their well-earned sleep. IL
however, there Is any trouble. thu
brides mother will question the groom
closely, and chances are that she will
take her daughter home and proceed q
have her marriage annulled.
III she does not act the groom ma,
reuounce his wife and marry anothe
woman. First, however. he must prov'
that his wife led an immoral life befor'
her marriage. In Greece few newl,
married men have 10 perform this un
please duty. Greek mai,lens are yer,
vlrtuous, and are so closely scrutinizel
by the suitors' relatives before marriag
that IL would be impossible for them I,
conceal any bodily defects. Moreover
record OF any bodily injuries which
tka., may Ian Ga auatofnaH and tvhirl