Year: 1879

country village near Ranking lived two men named Chen and Yu. Yu had daughter who was formally betrothed to Chen's son, and, probably on account of her parents poverty, was sent to her future father-in-law's house, to be brought up there. After a time Yu, who is weaver, went to live in Nan king, and his daughter came to pay visit to her mother. The girl, who was now grown up, was very discontented with her lot, complaining of having to work in the fields and of her father-in- laws roughness and coarseness; and her parents began to repent of the engage ment, and determined to try and break it off. Next door to them was living scholar named Chin, who was waiting for the next examinations, and occupy ing himself meanwhile as schoolmaster. Constantly seeing the girl, he took fancy to her, and formed an intrigue with her. The future father-in-law, Chen, finding the girl was not sent back to his house, and hearing rumor of Chin's attentions, began to suspect that Yu was trying to break off the match, and sent matchmaker to hurry on the marriage. Chen then went himself with the matchmaker, but with no further result than great deal of mutual abuse. Chen next filed petition in the magis- trate $ court, and Yu presented a coun- ter-petition written for him by Chin. The case came on for hearing, and the magistrate soon elicited the truth. After rating Yu soundly, he turned to Chen and said: "You can take the girl or not, as you like, but I strongly advise you not to-" Chen persisted in having her, and the magistrate ordered the two parties to draw up formal contract. Chin, who was present in court, motioned to Yu not to sign the contract. He was detected, however, by the magistrate in so doing, and was called up and ques- tioned, and then cautioned that man in his position should not mix himself up in case of this sort. The magis- trate then looked up the almanac and chose lucky day in June for the we'd ding day, whereupon Chin stepped fol- ward in Yu's behalf and begged that the marriage might be held in autumn. This interference thoroughly exasper- ated the magistrate, who thumped the table and ordered that Chin be kept in confinement till after the marriage was completed. In few days time the matchmaker presented herself at Yu's house with the customary presents.

 When she was well inside, the door was closed, and father and daughter fell upon her and beat her horribly. The woman, after this foretaste, not knowing what would happen on the real wedding day, appealed to the magistrate, who again called up the parties. Yu could only allege in excuse that the son-in-law

 had not come in person to the house,

 Chen said that the custom was given up in the country, and besides his son had not the money to buy proper dress for the occasion. The magistrate replied

 that the bridegroom should certainly go

 to the house, and, as he was poor, the

 magistrate would give him the money

 for the dress. Moreover, when the day

 came, the magistrate said he would send

 two policemen with the bridegroom,

 and, if there was any trouble the girl

 should be carried to the magistrate's

 Yamen and married there. When the

 day came, the policemen escorted the

 party to the brides house and then back

 to the bridegroom's and waited till the

 marriage ceremony had actually been

 performed, when they retired.