Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1893 — A Wife-Choosing Ceremony. [ARTICLE]

A Wife-Choosing Ceremony.

At tbe far end of Naples lies the Gttlr church of Santa Mari* Annunziata, which, once a year, on the “Day of Our Lady,” wakes up into a brief life and exoitemont. In a silent row before tha high altar kneel thirty girls, all in black garments, with folded hands and eyea fixed on the picture of the Madonna before them. These are orphans from the neighboring foundling asylum, and once a year all those who have reached the age of eighteen nre brought here to the church, and may be chosen in marriage by any honost man whose papers are in order, and whoso character is good. At the door leading to the sacristy leans a gray-headed priest, the head of the asylum. By and by a young man makee his way from the back of the church, and hands him a little packet of papen. These the priest roads carefully and, being evidently satisfied, he givee back the papers and leads the candidate toward* the row of girls. All their eyes are fixed more steadfastly than ever on tbe altar, nil their hands are clusped tighter together, their faces turn a shade paler, their hearts beat quicker as tbe young man walks slowly along the row. At last he stops. Ills choieu is made. He stretches out his baud with a little smile. The girl rises, carts a long took—half thanks, half entreaty— at the picture es the Madonna, puts her hand into that of the stranger, and together they disappear into the sacristy. The ice being thus broken, other suitors come forward. —[New York Mercury.