Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1892 — A Curious Italian Custom. [ARTICLE]

A Curious Italian Custom.

Ye Western maidens who receive the slavish adoration of admirers who court you in the parlor, a iart from all prying eyes, liste 1 to this from “Sunny ltay:’’ “At the far ind of Naples lies the Church of Santi Maria Auntiata, which once a year, on the day of Our Lady, wakes up into a brief life and excitement. In a s lent row before the high altar kneel th rty giris, all 11 black gar monts, with foi .ed hands, aid eyes fixed on the picture of the Mauo.aia 0 ■ fore them. Those are orphans from the neighboring foundling asyium, and once a year all those who have reached the age of 18 are brought here to the Church, and may be chosen In marriage by any honest man whose papers are in order and whose character is good. At the door eaaing to the sacri9ty leans a gray-headed priest, the head of the asylum By and by a man makes his way from the back of the church and hands him a little packet of papers. These the priest reads carefully, and. b 'ing evidently satisfied, he gives back the papers and leads the candidate t ward the row of girls. All eyes are lived more steadfastly than ever on the altar, all their hands are clasped tighter together, their faces turn a shade paler, itieir hearts beat quicker as the young man walks siowly along the row. At last ho stops His choice is made. He st etches out his hand with a little smile. The girl rises, puts her hand into that of the stranger, and together they disappear into the sacristy. The ice being thus broken, other suitors com* forward.