The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-11
MARRIAGE

| PART I.
 Much of romance, so elate with us 1 lest environne" by love affairs and marriage but in Korea the "affaire re occur, is non-existent, though of TO- nance there is more than enopgh. Yung-saing (eternal life) is the ru1- ing passion in the paterna1 breast. The missionary is proclaiming the ethics of Christianity uses the term and the Korean mods his head; the foreigner seeing this, thinks he has gained a footing and at once proceeds to ex- patiate on the subject. Yes. Yung- saing is what the Korean declares he wants and will attain it at any cost; but his idea as to what it really is versus the missionary's conception thereof differ as widely fire and water, and are as incomparable.
 Ten Reminders.
 There is no object to which Time, may be appropriated save to himself it is conf1scated to Eternity,-Etern- ity takes it's standing-it is everything
 Lit is all. The way he loiters over whatever he does, except eating, shows how little value he places on the former. Of the latter he is forever thinking, and, lest he forget, hangs up ten reminders of it in his room: (these ten we also find on the painted screen behind the emperor's throne). First a picture of several mountain peaks, the posture of which never moves onward forvtever; third, the clouds, and never a day without them the sun and moon, a combination of whose heiroglyphics makes the world for wisdom (the mysterious meaning of which who should know bet CT than he, tells you this message is forever; plants, for be the diversity Of winter ever so severe they at length rise victoriously: the feathery bamboo and 1TfI whose back is supposed to rest the world; and last, but not least, is seen the head of a deed peeping out tim idly from behind some obstacle and whose dead are never seen
 Longings for a Son.
 s'I know I am a great sinner" a man said to me one day.
 What makes you think so ?'
 1T have no son and therefore have a son; never mind how refractory, it l matters not how ma1apropos. how | bad, it is he-my son; that being in | which my life pulsates and through | whom it is transmitted to future gen. It is this intense desire for a son that has led to child mar riage in Korea. to concubinage, to the ruin of the race through the degrada- ton of it's women,
 Bethrotha1.
 But the Koreans anxiety is not yet over though he may have his wishes gratifed in regard to a son; another link in the chain has to be forged at the earliest possible moment. This son must be married.
 Tn this all-important business of finding a wife for his son, woman is employed as Intermediary it being her business to find out 8, suitable family where there is a girl of cor fIof uo1- i1fT of del1cacy known only to the Korean ;he goes to the girls parents and with lowing language tells of the family she professionally represents. If She s successful she returns to her em- 3loyer and in eu1ogistic terms tells of he charm of the girl and the wealth ,f her parents. Presents will be sent, ind if accepted. the parents of the boy and girl will one day meet This risit often cuIninates in a formal be- hrothal.
 Having come to a mutual agree F ner1t, the next. step. which is a very one, is the fixing upon 9 ucky day for the wedding. Since or II linary individuals cannot lift the veil hat conceals the future, nor conceive ! he will of the spirits, it is necessary o reQuisition the services of geo. l nancer. The geomancer, taking into { the contour of the hills # a given place, the shape and Ioca- ion of it's trees and the quarter from T which the wind is blowing, draws his I ,wn conclusion; which. aided by the ! inspiration given to him by the spir- Us, enables him to select the propit- ous day, the day upon which he de- Iares all the fa,tes will be favorablej T nd the influences beneficfent.
 A blind fortune-tel1er will also be onsulted. Being denied the privileges I f sight he is supposed to be able to [
 L. zS,-L1sI r hat all is favorable, well and good. r mould he, however, say that the t ride will soon become a widow much c rouble is caused. for. in order to ob- ain eternal life'' this terrible fatality t must at all costs be averted
 A GhastIy Custom There is an ancient custom, happily f ow passing away, which just meets he difficulty of the case. A few avs before the one fixed for the we'd { ing the little innocent bride will be dorned in her bridal splendor. A lad f about her age will be inveig1ed into ( he house. With this boy a mock ( ceremony is performed, af- pr which he will be strangled, and his ody smuggled out of the city for bur II Il in some unmarked spot on the side. The child having c nus becomel a widow, the predestined of the fortune-t teller has be- 1lAen her, so Sn0 IS HldTT10Q to her husband and assured that |, he prediction has become transient U nd there is nothing to fear.
 Professional Services.
 For some time before the day de- b gnated by the geomancer there is D luch to be done. and everyone in the n vo homes is busiIy engaged. In ad- vv Ition to the mem bers of the house old several professionals are enlisted prepare the feast. the trOuSSeau l O nd the bride herself. These women tl ho professionally take upon them elves the responsibility of arraying le bride, give her a thorough course oC massage and manicure. As the p ay in which the hair is dressed in al