The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-04-26
CHINESE BRIDES
CHOSEN BY STARS
PREDESTINED MARRIAGES BE-
LIEVED IN BY FATALIST1C
ORIENTAL PEOPLES.

Predestined marriages are believed
in by the Chinese. An old and popu-
lar love story of China we'll illustrates
the faltalism of Oriental peoples. The
tale, says the Kansas City Star, which
lis one of matchmaking and marriage,
runs as follows:
Wei Ku, an intelligent Chinese
young man, set out one night on a
lonely walk and wandered far away
from the town. Reaching a very lonely
spot he noticed a wizened old man
seated on a mound reading a huge
book supported by his knees. Curl
Gus to know what the old man was
doing at such a late hour he stopped
for moment hoping to engage the
old man in conversation.
Learns His Fate.
Finally his curiosity overcame him
and he asked the stranger what he
was reading. Wei Ku's humbled de-
meanor appealed to the old man and
he told him that the book was the
register of marriages and he was duly
appointed custodian. He said it was
his duty to pair off every couple with
in the four seasons and the nine con-
ltinents.
Naturally Wei Ku became inquisi-
tive and asked if his name was in the
wonderful book The old man demurr-
ed, but at last consented to find out
the fate of his interrogation. Your
marriage" he said, will not take place
for some years to come, as your mate
is still an infant, not more than two
years old. She is the charge OF an old
woman who keeps a shop in mean
6 Iii
Wei Ku was disappointed and asked
matters. What must be, must be.
You cannot escape that which the
gods have ordained you
Orders Child Killed
The next day Wei left the city and
went to the spot where the child and
the old lady were to be found. 1t was
in a poor and dirty localicty where
ragged children and the lowest OF low
coolies existed. He went into the shop
saw the child, but the rasping voice
of the disreputable women drove him
to distraction and he made rapid
exit from the hovel. Determined not
to be tied to such a woman as was
decreed, he engaged beggar to kill
the child. The beggar went to the
shop and struck the child a violent
blow on the head.
After spending many days in aim
less wandering Wei Ku determined
to obtain a government position
through the influence of his friends
He did so and many years later be-
came great in office. He was inundat-
ed with match-makers, but none OF
the prospective brides horoscopes tai
1 L. l.. 4N h &c
contention that he was doomed to die
a bachelor, after his mean act in caus-
ing the death Of his fated Wife-the
innocent infant.
After spending fifteen years in Shan
tung he was approached by notable
project and asked why he was still a
bachelor The reason was forthcoming
and the project suggested that the
horoscope of his young daughter be
compared with Wei Ku's, and, if made
to balance, marriage to result. Wei
consented but realized that the girl
was not for him, as her accomplish
ments and exquisite beauty were I'M
rivalled in the whole of the province.
Finds His Mate.
The astrologer appointed for the
prediction after making the observa-
tions declared that he had never seen
two such perfectly true horoscopes.
Wei was aStounded with this unexpect-
ed result. 1t was too good to be true.
His luck must certainly have turned,
and so he arranged for he wedding to
take place
The duly appointed day arrived.
There were great rejoicings. The cere-
mony went off without hitch, and
after all the attendant festivities Wei
Ku took the opportunity OF having a
few private moments with his bride.
although there had been no previous
love making they both realized that
they were made for each other. Then
icame the revelation. His bride dis
iclosed. that she was the child who was
so cowardly struck by an unknown
rufian Cat the instigation of her nus
band). She had recovered and later
was rescued from her misery by the
project, who was not her father, but
her uncle.
Wei Ku listened with amazement
For all through those miserable years
he had lived under the shadow Of a
crime and now found before him on
his wedding day the victim in his
wife.
Then the vision of the old man
came back to him and the words
what must be must be; you cannot
escape that which the gods have or
dained you The vision of the old
man smiled a peaceful smile and dis
appeared.
LJ0TTcE Dhccrc Dit tn