The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-07-14
ABOUT MARRIAGE IN INDIA.
American Missionary Gives Some In
teresting Information Concern
ing Wedding of Natives.

missionary who has spent some
years In India, and whose work at pres
ent Is particularly concerned with an
orphanage conducted under American
auspices In Calcutta, interested com
pany Of young people in this city re-
Gently with an account of the way mar
riages are arranged in India. She re-
ferred only to the marriages between
the girls In the orphanages and the
young Christian men Of the neighbor-
hood, says the Brooklyn Eagle. and said
that scarcely week passes by that the
managers Of the institution are not peti-
TONED by someyoung man for assistance
in obtaining wife.
"0f course we never induce girl 20
get married II she does not feel in
clined that way" said the missionary,
but the majority Of them are perfectly
willing, and oftentlmes we are petit
toned by some Of the girls to let them
have the next chance. The choice be-
tween the girls rests with as, NOT with
the young men, for n the suitors were
permitted 10 meet The girls at the or
phanage. and make their own choice,
the falrest girl would inevitably he
selected. The Hindu IA not different
from other folks in his appreciation OF
beauty. but the prettiest girI might not
be the wife best suited 10 the young
man In whose behalf We are working:
so We make the choice, and II the girl
is willing. the young man Is Informed Of
the fact he usually comes 70 the or
phanage accompanied BY his nearest
feminine relatives. and. as general
thing, the prellminaries are soon ar
ranged The period Of engagement does
not last long. and the couple rarely ex.
press any desire 10 see much q each
other There Is no hsndrauee to a rea-
sonahle amount of intercourse. but they
DO not care FOR II. and II Is not the cua-
tom Of the country OF course, We never
let girl marry from our home unless
the man Is a Christian. And We make
all the necessary Inquiries as 70 bis
character and to his ability to maintain
wife. Then, TOO, We have 20 be care
ful 10 select one suited to his station in
life-that Is whether he Is a hill man
or resides in the city and Is in civil
service. So far az we have been able
10 ascertain, the average OF happy mar
riaees that have been contracted in thlI
way equals that Of the average in Other
lands
"Tf fs cnstornarv for he rlsecrNona N
such marriages to provide his bride with
her wedding gown and accessories. W.
provide the rest Of the outfit. aud 4
marriage in the orphanage generally
means q gala time for the girls Al
those old enough to understand thi
meaning Of the ceremony are interest
ed. and the chapel Is prettily decorate,
with flowers and vines in honor Of th'
occasion. Sometimes the newly wedde,
couple make their home with III
groom's people. but generally they taxi
possession OF a home OF their own. anS
this We consider the more satisfactory
arrangement Girls marry very youus
in India. the Law permitting a girl e
become a bride al l2 years Of age W
consider 16 a more preferable age, bu'
in India that Is considered quite old Al
a matter Of fact. a girl who Is not wed
ded AZ IS Is unlikely to be so unless sh'
should be faneled BY some widower
who. II he has children, generally pre-
fers a wife a little older than the aver
age"