The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1903-08-13
AN ISLAND MARRIAGE

"How well you are looking" gushed the
president Of the Psychological society TO the
tall, brown haired girl Just back from
trip TO the Philippines. And how did you
enjoy your vacation
"SplendMly!" was the enthusiastic reply,
as the girl settled herself comfortably IN
an easy chair among the members assem-
BLEED for the regular weekly meeting. TIE
islands are 30 picturesque, the climate Is
so salubrious and the natives have the most
delightfully."- interesting customs imagin'
able"
"Charming!" chorused those Of the mem.
bers who were not listening to a Whispered
exchange OF social gossip in the far corner
II the room. And asked the president,
what was the most interesting OF these
customs! | am sure we would all like TO
hear"
well" said the travelled one, as she
helped herself to the proifercd refresh
meDts. really the most interesting event
witnessed during my stay IN the Islands
Wa nigh caste native marriage ceremony
Now. you must understand, she went
on. punctuating her tale with nIbbIcs at the
cake she held in her hand, that the Filipino
marriage ceremony is no light thing-over
with in a moment. One ut the character
istics Of those little brown people is that
while they are ver;able stoics In the event
of death. expressing little or no sorrow,
they indulge in all sorts OF emotional costa
sizes in their celebration Of a wedding, and
the preparations for the event are always
| elaborate irrespective Of caste or circum'
| stances
"a, this particular ceremony the high
contracting partie, were both very young,
the bride being but II, aud, really, the
groom didn't look much older The wed
ding day had been set by the priest, who far
| uvcrshadows he bride and bridegroom III
Importance through every stage Of the cere
mony, and is usually rewarded by large
fee in proportion to the wealth Of those
concerned.
"Stt,ading this ceremony caused mt
ZONE annoyance" continued the brown
! barred gil with grimacc at the recollec
ton, for was compelled to tumble out
Of he'd at four O'Clock in the morning IN
order TO join the wedding procession 10 the
arby church, which started at tve
O'Clock"
what a prcposterous and unnecessary
hardship" intcrpolated the stout, ea,c.
loving member,
"Nes, thought that, and more, too, y
resumed the narrator, but was bound to
see that ceremony through from start to
finish At that, It seemed that the thing
| had formally begun on the night before,
Tor | aftcrNard learned that the young
couple had gone together TO the chuIch Tor
confession and 10 receive ahsOiutl1n.
anyway, landed at tue church all
right with the rest Of the party. Atter a
mass had been said the bride and bride
groom advanced to the priest, who placed
over their shuuldcr, u thick mantle. which
the Eugl,h-spcakng Filipino belle, through
whom had received the invitation, cN'
planned was to typiy the bodily union, y
marriage formula was then recited, inter
spefsed with questions, which were re-
sponGcd to by both bride and bridegroom
much like our own ceremony IN this re-
spcct.
as tine pair turned from the priest after
this ceremony. and came down the aisie 70
the rear of the church. she continued, "a
bowl containing coins was pruiicrcd them
rhc husband stopped, took handful from
the bowl. and gave them to HI wife, who
passed them back to the bowl. This, dis
ruvcrcd. Wa token that he yielded to heI
all his worldly goods"
GLOW charming" choru.cd all the ladic.
in one meath. what pi,y the custom i.
NOT universal"
"'rho .rcre of opcrotious was then trans
r,r,cJ IA iii, home NJ tho BRIDEGROOM. IA
Their" resumed tie story teller. "who.e duty
il i. TO furnish tie wedding banquet. W,
all .at aowp To a r,p,,t Of swcc,mcats. witt
Iipht lounr, and chocolate. which was fol
lnwcd with br,cl mt. and cigars and cigar
cites which everyone helpcd thcmsclye,
to rcp,rdle.. Of sex.
"Ru, ,ll mi. vas simuly preliminary I,
po mai, fe,tprc for II (, in thp dance fol
lowing the wedding that the Filipino ccre
mouy atiains the uniduc. The dance wa,
beyun by the bide and bridegroom march
ing to the center Of the floor, where. fac
inc each other. both started to sing at cacN
ni! er Then, as the music Guickened. they
danced around and around. keeping up al
the while n spirited chatter.
AT mi. mint ycupe woman the siste,
If the bride .,enped ont M, the floor He
long hair wa, hanging loose. her eve
manned with an almost ips,n. light an,
| hpr pVgIV action conveyed the imurpsSiDI
....,.,., A. 10.