OCR Text |
Show Cling to Custom of Carrying Off Mates A curious marriage custom persists In Abchnsla. a district of the Caucasus. Cau-casus. On the wedding day the bride withdraws to the darkest room of the house. At dusk the brldegToom, supported sup-ported by a bodyguard of friends, all fully armed, rides up to the house, dismounts, dis-mounts, and hammers on the door with a dagger bllL The door opens to reveal the bride's I mule relatives. Just as ferociously equipped, i"d the two parties promptly prompt-ly Join In a mock combat Eventually the defenders retire, the bridegroom rushes In. seizes his bride, dings her across his shoulder, and. carrying ber out, leaps on his horse und gallops off with his capture to the accompaniment of the victorious yells of his supporters. Shortly after, the defeated relatives of the bride mount their horses and give chase. When the bridegroom's house Is reached both sides Join In a contest to Bee who can drink most wine I Ahchnslan girls decline to give tip the rile, and few would accept any suitor who did not Intend to curry (bom off by force. |