Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1910-07-09
INTERESTING LETTER.
Describes The Ceremony AS
Performed on Other Side
Of the World.
CHIENG MAI, LAOS.
May II, 1910

III AAtoAA NoAAAC wv ldlC le@5b WCCh
for me to answer letters and it is the
same way this week. 1t usually
comes on Wednesday, and gives me
a chance to answer letters that night
in time for Thursdays mail. But
the last two weeks mail has not
come until Thursday. But | am
thankful it has been that regular
during the first months of my stay
out here. When the rainy season
begins, we sometimes go three weeks
without mail. And as the rains may
begin any time now, you must not
worry if my letter are delayed.
There are few bridges in this country
and when the rivers rise the carriers
have to sit down and wait until they
fall again.
Last Saturday afternoon Miss
Buck and had wheel ride around
the wall of the city. The wall is Of
brick, and surrounded by moat,
but the former is crumbiing, and
the latter filled with lotus, the Bud.
dhist sacred lily. which is now bloom.
ing. We picked some with stems a
yard long, and the next morning
carried vase full to church. Two
of them were open white with cen.
tiers of gold, and were as large as
bread and butter plates. The other
four were pink buds, the size of a
big head of lettuce, and were ex-
quisite. think, though of all the
flowers, most enjoy the many vari.
cites of jasmine. The cape jasmine
grows on the lawn in huge bushes,
that are covered with blossoms.
| attended a native wedding last
week, which was very interesting, in
that it was blending of heather
and Christian customs. The groom
was Christian, and table.boy to one
of the Englishmen, while the bride
was Laos princess. and had promis
ed to become Christian, after her
marriage.
Wouldn't such mesalliance create
a stir in European society? But here
it is considered quite an honor to be
servant to the English, even though
the wages be far from princely.
With the invitation came a request
to two of our teachers to be brides
maids. The bride giving as a reason,
that she was ashamed to stand up
alone and have the man hold her
hand during the ceremony. In Laos
it is highly improper for man to
touch a woman in public, even
though that woman be his wife.
Don't you think the Americans
might adopt this custom, with profit, |
and save suffering public the sight |
of 'spooning' between the newly
married, or 'about-to.b es?'
The evening of the marriage, just |
as we were about to start, a note
came, saying it would be great |
honor if | would bring my "see saw"
(violin) along. and play for them. so
| took that.
As we went out our gate, we found
waiting for us little boy, in khaki
suit, and shining face. with flower
tucked over one ear. waiting to es-
cort US; as we approached the house
we were greeted from afar by an
odor of garlic, and found that the
guests were already feasting. The
people were seated on the floor,
around lacquer trays, on which were
placed bowls Of food, mostly curry
and rice in different forms. AS
went in | saw a three-year. old con-
tentedly munching an unpeeled GU.
cumber. almost as large as she was.
The children here are very fond of
them. and eat them as we eat apples,
but this vegetable does not become
hard as the cucumbers at home do, |
AS usual more preparation had
been made for the missionary guests
than for the marriage itself. In the
middle of the room table decorat-
ed with flowers was set. furnished
with linen. china, etc.. borrowed
from us.
lst course was soup, delicious
bread with all crust removed.
End course roast beef. potatoes
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