Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-08-13
MARRIAGES IN MEXICO.
The Way They Are Arranged and the
Way the Lovers Meet

ne way u HGy fNte SfStt dft9SSf anu SftG
Way the Lovers Meet.
The average Mexican does not think
OF marriage until he has at his disposal
a sum more than moderate, If he hap
pens to- belong to the higher strata Of
society, nor until it is consented to by
the unanimous vote of every one of
the members OF the family. Instances
can be mentioned of two Young per-
sons who have never met each other and
in whose minds the idea of matrimony
has never yet entered becoming man
and wife through the whim of their
parents.
1t may be that the family of the
bridegroom looks upon his matrimonial
union with a certain girl who may hap
pen to be the daughter of magnate
as means of avoiding bankruptcy. It
may be that the father of the bride
considers her alliance with the son of
a politician as an adroit measure In
preventing the downfall of the head of
the house, or in point of trivial circum-
stances it may be that a marriage Is
brought about with the object Of re-
ducing the yearly tax by the father Of
the bridegroom or that OF ne bride.
| The motives given and those never
given for the prearrangemento of such
alliances vary according to conditions
and are always in relation to the posi-
ton occupied by the two families.
The frequent brevity of the proceed
ings in the arrangement Of bridal ties
is fortunately giving way to q more
| liberal and conscientious behavior on
the part of parents toward their sons
and daughters. But it should also be
added that the custom has by ne means
disappeared. for cases of this nature
could be counted by the score In al
most every city in the republic.
4 When, with the knowledge or con
sent of their parents. two young per
. sons become engaged the parish priest
/ is requested to call on the brides IA
ther for the purpose Of making known
i to him the designs of the bridegroom.
4 a temporary objection at this point
may practically upset the plans of the
] young candidates to marriage, as the
opposition Of the father means delay
Of two years or more.
l. During that period the affectionate
lover parades the street night and day
/ in the hope of seeing his sweetheart. A
4 thunderstorm would not be sufficient
to drive him from his retreat under 9
| balcony or near a telegraph pole.
| have seen a lover talking to pretty
] girl. through an iron barred window
4 while terrific rainstorm swept over
the city with great fury as quietly and
4 naturally as If balmy spring weather
1 had prevailed
q But the Mexican lover enjoys the
novelty Of the affair, and. far from
making any attempt to obtain permits
sion to call on his sweetheart at hel
d own home, he is ready to undertake
4 any task, however difficult, in order Il
n speak to her alone, for young lady Ii
seldom allowed to receive men with
out at least two or three members o.
the family being present.
about extreme heat, beautiful Weathe
; and the like are in such cases strict.
In order. and the suggestion is neve
made to take cher out for a stroll O
a short drive That would set TIL
house on fire. A moderately large banl
account may enable the visitor to in
: yite her family to attend the opera, bu
/ this means that all chances for the eS
Z change Of amorous expressions be
! tween the lovers are lost, for 1t is hi
;. duty to offer his arm to mother an,
wait upon her until their return fror
the theater, aside from securing seat
: for every member Of the family, some
4 times including the servants oder
r Mexico.