Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-07-06

ana PAIR Oh SnOeS Wnlcn closely re-
sembled 'arctics,' and were at least
three sizes too large for him.
ION entering the court of their fu-
ture home he was preceded by an at
tendant attired in white, with n red
hat, a long string of beads around his
neck, and carrying under his arm a
live goose. The legs of the fowl were
fastened together and n skein of red
silk was passed through her beak.
This man, followed by the groom; en-
tered the court, around the sides of
which all the guests were seated, adj
vanced to a red table standing in the
center, and the ceremony began.
"The groom, standing Immediately
in front of the table bowed three times,
touching the mat on which he stood,
with his forehead and hands. Then he
gracefully resumed his standing posi-
ton, and taking the goose under one
arm again bowed as low as before.
"The goose is the symbol of fidelity
in Corea, and it is popularity believed
that when a wild goose dies its spouse
never mates again. The groom then
walks to the front of the porch and
stands at the foot of the steps, wait
ing for his bride.
"Two middle-aged women stepped
from an inner room on to the porch
with the bride between them, each
holding an arm and guiding her steps.
for, as / have told you, her eyes were
sealed completely. Her entire face
was painted a ghastly white, while on
the middle of her forehead and each
cheek was n dab of bright red her lips
were also colored brilliant scarlet.
This little painted and gorgeously
attired creature was guided to the mat
on which stood the groom. Then they
turned her about and laid over her
clasped hands n white handkerchief.
The groom now stepped TO the other
end of the mat, and the principal part
of the ceremony began.
"The attendants raised the brides
small, draped hands until they were on
n level with her sightiess eyes. Then,
still supported by the two women, she
sank in courtesy soprofound that she
was almost in n sitting position. This
was repeated in slow and solemn
manner three times, after which the
groom's turn came, and he responded
by three bows so profound that his
head almost touched the floor.
"They then took their seats on their
respective ends of the mat, and table
| about 12 inches high, filled with Corean
delicacies. was brought out and placed
between them. These the bridal pair
ate and drank, the bride being fed by
her two attendants.
"After the feast was finished the
| groom was conducted to the bridal
chamber. where he changed his we'd
ding suit for clothes presented to him
by the bride, and which were made by
her own fingers. He then came out,
and the bride was taken into the bridal
chamber and seated upon her cushions
on the floor, where she sat in placid
meditation until joined by the groom,
II few minutes or few hours later, as
it suited his convenience.
"Coreans hold marriage in high re-
| gard and show married man pro-
found respect while bachelor is treat
ed by them with marked contempt. I
have seen men greet slip of boy
wearing topknot with ceremonious
Difference. saying to each other: He is
a man; he is about to be married.
while of much older man, and pos
sibly richer, who wears two plaits,
they remark that He is n pig. He
cannot get wife. He will always be
boy
'In the choice of his first bride the
Coreans leave everything to the 'go-
between But all other wives-and
Corean may have ten, the man makes
his own selection. 1t is seldom, how
ever, that second wife is added to
the household, except where the first
wife proves childless. In such in
stances other wives are taken, but the
dignity always remains with the first
wife. Women are well treated, and as
a rule live happy, contented lives.
They are gentle, attractive little bodies
and devoted to their homes" BOSTON
Globe.