Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1908-01-31
MARRIAGES IN MEXICO.
the Way They Are Arranged and the
Way the Lovers Meet.

way the Lovers Meet.
Ihe 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 1t is consented to by
the unanimous vote Of every one Of
the members Of the family. Instances
can be mentioned of two young per.
sonswho have never met each other and
In whose minds the idea Of matrimony
mas never yet entered becoming man
ana wife through the within Of their
! parents.
1t may be that the family Of the
bridegroom looks upon his matrimonial
union with a certain girl who may hap
zen to be the daughter OF magnate
as means of avoiding bankruptcy. II
may be that the fathec Of the bride
considers her alliance. with the son of
politician as an adrolt measure IN
preventing the downfall Of the head Of
the house, or in point Of trivial clrcum-
stances It may be that a marriage is
brought about with the object Of re-
ducmg the yearly tax by the father of
the bridegroom or that Of the bride.
The motives given and those never
given for the Encouragement Of such
alliances vary according TO conditions
and are always in relation to the posi-
ton occupied by the two families.
The frequent brevlty Of the proceed
ipgs in the arrangement Of bridal ties
is fortunately giving way to a 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 no means
disappeared, for cases Of this nature
could be counted by the score in al
most every city in the republic
When, with the knowledge or con
sent Of their parents, two young per-
sons become engaged the parish priest
Is requested to cali on the brides IA
Their for the purpose OF making known
TO him the designs of the bridegroom.
A temporary objection at this point
may practically upset the plans of the
young candidates 20 marriage, as the
opposition Of the father means q delay
Of two years or more.
During that period the affectionate
lover parades the street night and day
in the hope Of seeing his sweetheart A
thunderstorm would not be sufficient
to drive him from his retreat under a
balcony or near telegraph pole. !
have seen lover talking to pretty
girl through an iron barred window
while a terrific rainstorm swept over
the city with great fury as quietly and
naturally rs II ballny spring weather
lh,sfsg,leNui.sl.
jsbt the Mexican lover enjoys the
novelty of the affair, and. far from
making any attempt 10 obtain permits
sion to call on bis sweetheart at her
own home, he Is ready to undertake
any task, however difficult, in order to
speak to her alone, for young lady Is
seldom allowed to receive men with
out az least two or three members Of
the family being present
The general topics OF conversation
about extreme heat, beautiful weather
and the like are in such cases strictly
in order, and the suggestion Is never
made to take cher out for a stroll OF
a short drive That would set the
house on fire. \ moderately large bank
account may enable the visitor to III
vite her family TO attend the opera, but.
this means that all chances for the ex-
change Of amorous expressions be-
tween the lovers are lost, for.it is his
duty to offer his arm to mother and
wait upon her until their return from
the theater, aside from securing seats
for every member of the family, some
times including the servants Modern
Mexico