Show I CURIOUS COURTSHIPS THE AUCTION OF D BRIDES IDES IN ANCIENT ANCIENT AN- AN BABYLON rf Strange Among Modern l Savage Tribal Jan airy Wedded to May 1 I y With an un Indian In Sooth America In somo parts of the world tho methods methods meth meth- otis of solemnizing marriage were vere very peculiar and interesting says the Pittsburg Dispatch Tho rhe ancient Baby Baby- lonians had heel a law which provided that when the maidens of that city arrived at a n marriageable m ago age they were to be bo auctioned oil off to the tho higl highest est bid bidder As Asa a matter of courso course the most shapely and beautiful ones commanded the highest prices and the rich Babylonians Babylo naturally carried oil off the tho most attractive prizes After these had been disposed of the auctioneer placed the tho ugly ones on oa sale and as an incentive ho offer offered d a small sum of money to any anyone one willing willingto to become a purchaser This bonus was contributed by the tho pretty maidens anti and very often their less favored sisters sis eta were the tho recipients of snug dow dow- ries Each buyer prior to taking his purchase purchase purchase pur pur- chase to her now nev homo home w was ws to give security that ho he would marry mairy her After the sale salo should any of the parties repent of their bargain they were vere permitted to annul tile the purchase and the tho sums Bums paid were restored to them Of course parents had no choice in the selection of husbands t for r their n daughter in T n before the wedding b vas n Vas concluded the bride and an a all athe the tho guests were required to rise from the table and she then repaired repaired re re- ro- ro paired to the tho bride bridegrooms bridegroom's roms rom's housa houss where whore sho throw threw over the tho roof a largo large cake made of coarse dough They firmly believed that tho the hi higher her it was vas thrown the happier the union would be bo and tho the better housewife she would prove As the houses were very low lowI I rn m reality were huts huts and and the tho cake as hard as a stone a n lusty bride sel seldom sol aol dom if ever failed to tb Insure the lu luy y omen During the ceremony two male friends of tho the married couple o. o attended at at- tended the bride and when she fie sue had completed the task presented her with new V shoes and stockings She sign signi signified fied fled her acceptance of ot the tho gift by gi giving ving v- v ing them two VO or throe three old chiefs The beauty of bi f women has become proverbial In no other part of the tho world Is greater care exercised in bringing up the tho female children They are taught to embroider and make their own costumes in In- addition to which they must learn to make mens men's clothing in order that tha when I married they may present their husbands husbands hus hus- bands with a a. wedding outfit Soon alter the birth of or a girl a n. wide wido leather belt is sewed around her waist and is not removed until it bursts when a a. second one ono is adjusted On the tho night of her marriage the cut with a dagger er by her husband and in many instances with fatal results The father makes his daughter a present on her wedding day but the major part of what he ho intends intend for her heris is reserved until the birth of ot the tho first child when the father clothes her In inthe inthe the tho dress dres of a n matron the chief dis die distinction of which consists of pf a 0 veil that entirely conceals her face and figure The hab habitation of a married consists of two huts one ono occupied by the tho husband and the other by his wife and family The court separating the two t buildings is surrounded surrounded surrounded sur sur- rounded by palisades and it would I never be ed that they conti- conti constituted one establishment One of the strangest est matrimonial ceremonies is ill that practiced by an nn Indian Indian Indian In In- dian tribe residing on the banks of the Orinoco river in South America The Tho old men are aro married to the tho budding bud ding maidens and decrepit women are mated with youths not yet out ot of their teens The reason given for this is that ago age may correct the petulance of youth and that to join per persons ons equal in age ago and imprudence in wedlock is isto Isto isto to place two fools fool together Ono One redeeming redeeming redeeming re re- re- re deeming trait about this custom is that the marriage of the tho young men with the old women Is merely a sort of apprenticeship ap ap- ap- ap as ns after a n. few months' months probation tion they are aro permitted to to towed wed women of their own ago o. The Laplanders consider it a n. capital offense to wed cd a maid without the tho permission per mission of her parents and relatives and Invariably execute those who vho havethe havo have the tho temerity to attempt such clandestine clandestine clandes- clandes clandes tine marriages When a Lap has dis discovered covered his affinity th tM fashion is to invite the tho friends of both to witness a race foot-race between himself and the one ono ho he intends to wed The Tho maiden is given such a n. long start in this novel race for a n. wife that unless she sho is willing will ing she sho can seldom be overtaken If she sho outruns her suitor he can never again ask for a trial of speed as it Laa is La isa a n. penal offense to renew the tho offer of marriage In the tho days of ancient tome Rome the tho bride brido was vas brought to the house of her husband preceded by five persons bearing torches the tho signification of which was wa that married persons have need of five deities to aid nid and protect them These were Jupiter Juno Venus Buada and Diana or Lucina When the tho woman reached the door of her future home she anointed the tho posts with oil and from this ceremony was I known thereafter as anointer i which for the tho sake of euphony became became be- be 1 came uxor whence is derived the tho En English lish term terra uxorious Another Dother rule among these people was vas that the tho brido should be bo brought to her husband with a veil or other covering over her head This ceremony was called from nube to vei vei and WAS WM the origin of the modern word ord nuptiaL |