Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1901 — The Chinese Bride Carrier. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Chinese Bride Carrier.

Perhaps the queerest trade among the Chinese of San Francisco is that of bride carrier. There are three women following this occupation in Chinatown and making a comfortable, if spasmodic, income. The excuse for this trade Is' the

Chinese custom of making the bride an idler on her wedding day, forbidding her either to walk or stand, and requiring her to be carried from her husehold to that of her husband by some one of her own sex. It would perhaps be permitted that the bride’s mother or some of tier female relations should perform this delicate attention., but of late this is considered not at all “swell” among upper-class Chinese and their imitators. The real, fashionable thing to do and the lucky one as well is to have a regular professional with a reputation for luck and a correct and inside knowledge of the ceremonies to be observed. And when a Chinese family wishes to put on a little extra “dog" over the marriage of a daughter, all three of Chinatown’s professionals are hired. '

CARRYING A BRIDE.