Catoctin clarion., 1910-03-17
AChildWfe
By EMILY B. PARKHURST
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.


against the Hindoo religion for an In
dian family Of good rank to keep a
daughter unmarried. Since 1t is diff
cult for their parents to find husbands
for them the daughters are made
away with. Those of high birth.
called rajpoots, are put to death by
men especially employed to do so. The
British government having passed
laws against these murders. the par
ents of those girls who have not. found
husbands have resorted to method
of marrying them In name. though
not in fact There are number OF
Brahmans, old and decrepid. called
Kulian Brahmans. who go about with
the object of hiring themselves out to
60 through the ceremony OF the "sev-
en- steps" with young girls upon being
paid for doing SO. After marriage they
leave the country and never see their
young wives again.
In Allahabad there lived one Of
these rajpoot men who had daughter
over twelve years old.
In the next house lived another fam
lily, in which there was one son. aged
eighteen. The two children had been
brought up together. and their child
ish friendship had grown into love.
The parents Of the youth were very
proud Of him and destined him to
marry some girl who should be not
only of high caste, but whose par
ents would be able to bestow on her
great wealth.
One evening after 1t was dark be
was walking In the compound (gar-
DEM about his fathers house when he
heard q low COLL from the compound
OF the next house. Going to the fence.
be deserted the crouching figure OF his
sweetheart. evidently suffering from
some great misfortune.
what Is it, dear girl?" he said.
springing over the fence and taking
her in his arms.
II am to die"
ITO diet"
Eyes. Today a mana horrible
looking man-came to the house and
talked with my father. | had been
told to go on an errand. doubtless that
] should be away at the time and not
hear what passed between my father
and this man. But had not yet gone.
] have been suspecting that. not being
married, ! would soon be made away
with in some fashion. though father
and mother have tried to keep the
awful knowledge from me. So when
! saw this frightful creature come to
the house | concealed myself behind
bamboo screen and heard every word"
She gave way to her feeling and
was unable to proceed. Her lover
kissed her again and again. begging
her to tell him all.
MY father bargained with the man
for hundred rupees to strangle me-"
"When-whereY
Tomorrow night father Is to take
me out for walk by the river. when
this man Is to come upon US suddenly
as If to rob. seize me and after he has
killed me throw my body into the
river
The agony Of the youth was equal
to that Of the girl. Both knew that
their separation and her death were
not to be prevented. 1t would be OF
no avail for her to refuse to go to walk
with her father or to try In any way
to escape her fate. The young man
dare not disobey the commands OF
his parents. Should he fly. with the
girl the sleuths of the Indian police
would follow and surely capture them.
They spent what time that remained
for them together not laying plans to
prevent the calamity. but weeping In
each others arms. At last the girl
heard her mother calling her. and aft
er one clinging embrace she ran into
the house.
The next afternoon an old man lean
ing heavily on his staff stopped at the
house and asked for bit of bread and
little wine. The girl. who was to die
that night-.knowing the secret, though
her parents were not aware that she
knew it-went to the cupboard by her
fathers order and brought the refresh
ment.
rs your daughter marriedY" asked
the visitor.
mo" repll4 ID her father. 1--WE have
no husband for her"
But you cannot keep a girl like that
longer. Our religion forbids."
NO" whispered the father; 1--WE
shall not keep her longer"
The look that accompanied the words
was not lost on the old man.
How much will you give me to mar
ry her?'
"You are KulianT
lam"
II will gladly give you your price If
1t be not too much"
"What say you to a hundred ru-
pees?"
II will give 1t gladly"
The girl was listening. and hope
sprang up In her heart. She loitered
near till she saw her father count out
the money to the old man and then
swooned.
When she came to herself she was
told that she was to be married to the
visitor. Death. which had been so
near. seemed worse to her than living
in separation from her lover. and she
gladly went with her father and the
old man that the ceremony should be
nerformed After 1t was ended the
husband went away. and 1t was un-
derstood that he was never to return.
From that day the young lover was
missed. Long after his love received
from him the means to take her to
America. He and the old husband
were one.
ss..-a..sx-a
A Way Of Explaining u.