Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1894 — MORE VIOLENT THAN POLITE. [ARTICLE]

MORE VIOLENT THAN POLITE.

Soms Marriage Customs of Savsgs Raeaa. From remote times brides hare been the prize of the most daring, and marriage by capture has more or less prevailed in some part of our little globe from the time when the artful Romans, ignoring the laws of hospitality, seized upon their Sabine guests, nor waited for the decree nisi to be pronounced absolute before asserting their new prerogative, and from this enforced alliance sprang the conquerors of the world. The Esquimau of to-day, having Once established his manhood by killing a polar bear unaided, is sent forth by his kindred to seek a wife, and the first girl ho can surprise unawares he ■seizes, and, in spite of her screams and struggles, endeavors to carry her off. This proving no easy feat, owing to the substantial proportions of the Esquimau belle, together with the enormous weight of her clothing, an exciting race occurs, the lady darting among the aroused neighbors, dodges her suitor in t,ho crowd which eagerly assists her, and it is only after he Ims succeeded in catching • her the third time that ho is permitted to lead his blushing and excited bride to the hymeneal altar, says a writer in Llppincott’s. The Australian aborigine adopts m more summary process when weary of a single life. He looks about for a partner, and, finding his opportunity, stuns her with a heavy blow, and carries her off to her now home, whew, it is to be hoped, on her return to consciousness his after-tenderness makes some atonement for his somewhat rough-and-ready mode of wooing. In parts of India the winning of the bride depends upon fleetness of foot, a circular course being marked out, half of which is traversed by the maiden (encumbered only by a waistband) before the lover is allowed to* start in pursuit, and if he does no* succeed in capturing her before sJk> has thrice completed the circuit he loses his prize.