The Washington times., 1902-08-17
WEDDING Oh A
WEALTHY CHINAMAN
Celestial Society in Cleve-
land, Ohio, Turns Out
Bride Was Purchased by Groom Before
Seen The Wonderful Feast
Quaint Revelry and Rejoicing.

If the smile of Yee Hing, when he
entered the gathering of his countrymen.
who assembled recently to cele-
brate with feasting his nuptials. is
any indication of the manner in which
he views that event, he does not regret
the S565 hard American simoleons which
he paid out as the purchase price of the
bride. At last he has looked upon her
olive eyes and has seen for himself those
beauties of face and form which were de-
scri5ed to his nephew by the willy GO
between when the marriage contract was
signed. And still he smiles.
The celebration was crowning
event in local Chinese society, and
the elimination of the wedding of Cleve-
lands riches: Chinaman. 1t was with
the American reverence for wealth and
the Oriental reverence for influence that
brought together yesterday nearly all
the members of the local coloty, to
drink to the health, to feast and wis h
their foremost citizen the longest o.,
lives and the most numerous OF fam
lilies.
All Glasses Attend.
The celebration was held several
days ago and attracted as motley a
gathering as might be imagined. There
were Cinnamon from the restaurants.
Cinnamon from the laundries. Cinnamon
from the kitchens OF clubs. From i
white-haired compatriot of Yee Hing,
whose cue had begun to whiten with the
passing of years. to the little two-year-
old boy of Peking Lu. the whole gamut
of age and condition was represented.
Some came in the American clothing to
which they have adapted themselves,
but the majority wore the silk costumes
of their own country. Gaudy colored
and embroidered. rich in texture, the
Oriental garbs brought back to the
groom the memories of his early days.
which he spent along the banks of the
Yangtse- kiang. To the slave girl they
represented only tradition. for the lit
tie maid has but few memories of her
own country. having been brought across
when the merest of babes.
The great interest of the celebration
centered on the personal appearance
of the bride. Nearly all the guests
had assembled in the restaurant of
Charlie Jacobs, who, as the mayor
of Chinatown" offered the use Of his
establishment for the occasion. Incl.
dentally the mayor" was a very i'm
portant parsonage at the banquet. and
performed the duties of host and man
ager of the feast.
Wanted to See Bride.
There was a craning of necks as the
little maid entered the place. accom-
panied by her somewhat corpulent and
aged husband. She wore the same rich
dress in which she came from Chicago.
the loose draperies OF its many folds
showing the rich handiwork of the en-
broiderer. Over her head was thrown
a scarlet scarf Timid and retiring, she
seemed to shrink from the curious eyes
of the throngs outside the restaurant.
for the American residents have shown
the liveliest of interest In the wedding,
and yesterday gathered in large num-
bers outside the building to catch a
fieeting glimpse of the bride her
self. When she had entered she
exhibited all the modesty which
ed. She spread gorgeous fan,
as coquetish a manner as college girl,
before her face, and, thus partly con-
cealed, dispensed the honors of the oc
casion. None OF the guests obtained a
very good view of the features. which
will probably only too soon be seen
behind the tea counters. But Yee
Hing had had his look. And he smiled.
The bridegroom was grotesque in his
appearance. He, too. wore his bridal
garments, the long. loose blue wrapper,
with its crimson trimmings. His smile
was characteristic. And he smiled
a gain, and still again. as the merriment
proceeded.
Mrs. Hing Distributes "Favors."
AS beginning to the feast. the little
bride tripped from table to table and
handed each guest favor" 1t was Ii
gee nut brought from China and wrap
ped In piece OF rice paper on which the