Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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24 The Annual of boy and one piece-ee girl were going to be married. This was evidently something of interest, judging from the number of people. The procession was headed by a man carrying a large red umbrella. Following him, were men bearing red banners ; and others dragging bamboo poles, almost five feet long. Next came the band playing a melody (?) which sounded like the efforts of a beginner in music playing on a violin which is out of tune. Behind the band, walked men carrying the wed- ding presents ; and last but not least was the large, red sedan chair, in which the bride was securely shut up to prevent her being seen by the curious crowd. The house of the groom happened to be just across the street from the place where Mr. and Mrs. Wood were stand- ing. As it seemed to be a public affair, they determined to .see what they could. As soon as the bride ' s chair was passed over a pan of burning charcoal to drive the evil spirits away, the crowd passed into the house, the two foreigners following. They went through a large, bare room, with a dirty brick floor, and crossed an open court before they reached the nuptial hall. Here, they saw a strange sight. On two sides o f the room were rows of chairs, separated by small tea-tables. At the farther end of the room was a long table on which were some small dishes containing a few delicacies. A large picture of the God of Marriage hung over this table. In the center of the room, a red mat was placed, upon which the bride and groom stood. The groom was at- tired in garments of silk, and, being the son of a rich man, he had tried to show his wealth by the variety of colors which he wore — red, yellow, green, purple, and pink. The bride was dressed entirely in red, and wore a thick red veil cover- ing a crown of gilt paper flowers, and hanging down below her waist. A strip of red silk was extended from the hand of the bride to that of the groom. At the command of the Master of Ceremonies, they bowed to the four points of the compass, prayed to the God of Happiness, and worshipped their an- cestors. After this, they were led to the table. The bride, not being allowed to raise her veil, could not eat ; the groom tasted a few dainties.

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The Mary Bahhi ' in Seminary. 23 water was puini)e(l into tlie fields, wliere men, women and children were working knee-deep in the mud. After two or three days of such travelling, Mr. Wood and his wife found themselves within the walls of a large city. Having decided to remain there several days, they, through their interpreter, obtained the possesion of a landing where their boat might be fastened. Early in the morning, they set out, full of curiosity and expectation, to see the sights of the city. They soon came ro an open space before a large temple. The tiled roof, orna- mented with figures of different animals and with idols, sloped down to the four corners, upon each of which was a bell, ar- ranged so as to be rung by the blowing of the wind. Three large doors stood open, as if giving an invitation to all passers- by to come in. Mr. and Mrs. Wood entered, but they were immediately invited to withdraw by a ma n, whose shaved head and yellow robe showed him to be a priest ; but the sight of a piece of silver in Mr. Wood ' s hand made him forget his religious scruples, and with a smiling face he showed them through the holy place. In the center of the room was a large figure of Buddha, who was represented as sitting with the palms of his hands and the soles of his feet turned heavenward. His head was covered with snail shells, for according to tradition, Buddha was once seated in the hot sun meditating, and the snails, fear- ing that the pious man might be injured by this exposure, covered his head with their shells. Around the walls, idols of every size and description — all hideously ugly — were arranged in rows. Before them were frames, upon which candles and incense were fastened, al.so stools for the use of the worshippers. Every now and then a sacred bird flew down upon the rafters, scattering much dust and dirt, which had been accu- mulating there for ages. The air was so ladened with the fumes of incense that Mr. and Mrs. Wood soon withdrew. On reaching the open air, their fatigue left them, and they looked about for new sights of interest. Soon their guide pulled them aside, and, pointing to a crowd coming up the street, explained in his broken English that one piece-ee

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The Mary Baldwin Seminary. 25 Then they were taken into the sleeping apartment, which was decked in red, and seated side by side on the bed, just below an image of the God of Happiness. The bride ' s veil was raised, and the newly married pair looked at each other, perhaps for the first time. After a few moments, the groom joined his friends to spend the day and night in carousing. The bride, however, had to remain as immovable as a statue, while she heard remarks about her appearance ; saw her trunks opened and her clothes rumpled up ; and received insults given in every possible way, but she was afraid to speak, laugh, or cry, for fear of bringing trouble on the family in after life. The on-lookers now left the house to the invited guests, and the two travellers wandered on until they heard a great screammg in the next house. Oh, some children are begin beaten to death, cried tender hearted Mrs. Wood, wringing her hands. With the thought of rescuing the poor and help- less, they rushed into the house. Much to their surprise, there sat ten or eleven children swaying backward and forward in their seats studj ' ing as loud as they could. A little boy was reciting his lesson, with his back turned to the teacher, stand- ing first on one foot and then on the other, and shouting with all his might. Finding their sympathies uncalled for, Mr. and Mrs. Wood beat a hasty retreat. The increasing darkness and a heavy rain forced them to find an inn, w ' here they could pass the night. After some time, the guide led them to a very uninviting place. On two sides of a large court were rows of stalls, in which horses, donkeys and mules were resting from their days work. On the third side of the court were rooms for the accommodation of travellers. The weary strangers determined to make the best of it and followed the inn-keeper to the room. The bare, mud-plastered walls looked dismal, and the plain brick floor felt hard to feet accustomed to soft carpets. A square table and two uncomfortable chairs were the only furniture besides a large brick bed, built so that fire could be kindled under it in cold weather. A small and dirty window was the only place from which any one could look outside. Mr. and Mrs. Wood did not