The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-01-16
KATRINA. TIE MoRtVIAN.

An original Romance hy Julia jackson
Christian.
The old town Of salem Vas Scttlei hv
the Germans many. man: wars aga
They wcrc Moraviau~ lib religion and
adhered strictly - all tho rules AMI
,u>tomS 80 thcir fathcri1nd.
One OF these customs WAS that tho
wives of the men were chosen by lot.
y. large Ink was always kept Ia the
'hurch and All he names of the bouny
asses in the village were lut therein.
Then the bridegroom. - IT,. would
assemble all Of his company and draw
,ut one OF The names. Then the name
hat was drawn lie would take her for
Ms wife.
The girls rarely ever mrrmcrcl. FOR
he majority would rather marry nj
nos; anybody than be old maids all
heir lives. which was the penalty.
One evening a beautiful girl. named
Katrina. was walking down the long
lvcnuc Of trees, leading Ia the church.
She seemed 10 H. in deep thought.
Presently. hearing the hum Of wheels.
She looked NJ. hut saw the most Strik-
ing tailor nj his work, busily sewing
II the machine whose hum had attract
d her attention.
He. looking up about that time, saw
/ trim and graceful figure walking down
he avenue.
Her hair fell in ~ringlets around her
eek and forehead. and the sky-blue bow
hat fastened her simple gown of white
the throat just matched her large and
Zurc eyes.
The picture reminded him Of an angel,
ONE down t. earth. The green trees
,ehind her. and the sun going down in
great ball Of flame, set her golden hair
II fire. as it were.
\ week or so after this meeting the
'ilor went to see one OF his companions
and asked him if he knew this girl that
L described.
The young man replied that he did,
nd that he would introduce him.
SO several evenings after the young
aen went around to katrina's house, 4
cry picturesque little place away back
n the trees. They stayed a short while.
nd then took their leave, the tailor
making an engagement TO 70 TO church
he next evening.
The next evening to church they went,
nd many other evenings. At last one
evening. like the one om which ne first
.ad met her. he could resist no longer.
nd he asked her the question that has
cen asked 50 lliliN llicS ~ VII ~
IS long rs the world exists, and she
.onscntcd.
Now, about that time the ugliest old
bishop in The parish took a notion that
le would like To be married and so he
,ot together all the names Of the pretty
.irls and then drew one. Alas. alack. it
vas our beautiful Katrina.
Now, he. being Il bishop, for the bishops
we're almost worShipped. they were held
in Such high esteem by til" people, Kat
ma never thought of murmering and
prepared her wedding gown. and got to-
eether all her attendants, and Il few rela-
ives and friends and, on the arm of her
'ather. went slowly down the avenue
cading to the church, where only a
rew months before She had met her
0ctrotlled.
As She neared the tailor-shop she look
ID up. but the hum of the busy wheels
had ceased. and the sight that met her
eyes was hcart-rending.
There sat the tailor. his head bowed
upon his knees and such a detected look
about him that Katrina forgot all about
everything. except her lover, and with
one wild spring She was III the tailor's
shop.
They were soon out Of the back door,
over the hills and far away.
The people at home were IN a great
state Of CONSERVATION, for there stood
The bridegroom Ito be, ready, waiting
for his bride, but no bride comes. Then
when the whole truth Of the matter came
out. the old elders and bishops were 50
shocked that they thought it was about,
inc they put a stop 10 this custom. If
his was the effect it had Oh the young
folks; 50 all the people gathered together
and voted it out.
Nothing has ever been heard of Kat
rina and the tailor from that day to
this. but please God they are still liv-
;ng in happiness and contentment.
JULIA JACKSON CHRISTIAN.