A CHINESE BREACH OF PROMISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5634, 6 December 1879, Page 7

A CHINESE BREACH OF PROMISE.

Iy a country villa :e near Nankin (says tho Shanghai Shen Pao) lived two men named Chen and Ya. Ya had a daughter, who was formally betrothed to Chen's eon, and pro. bably on account of her parents'poverty, was sent to her future father-in-law's house to be brought up there. After a time Yu, who is a weaver, went to live in Nankin, and his daughter came to pay a visit to her mother. The qirl, who was now grown up. was very discontented with her lot, complaining of having to work in the fields aud of h-r father-in-law's roughness and coarseness ; and her parents began to repent of the engagement, and determined to try to break it off. Next door to them was* living a scholar named Chin, who was waiting far the next examinations, and occupying himself meanwhile as a schoolmaster. Constantly seeing the girl he took a fancy to her, and formed an intrigue with her. The future father-in-law, Chen, finding his girl was not I sent back to his house, aud hearing a rumour of Chin's attention?, began to suspect that | Yu was trying to break off the match, and s-nt a match-maker to hurry on the marriage. Yu replied that he had never accepted any bsthrothal presents, and that 110 one could make him take them, and that he would not give his consent to the marriage. Chen then went himself with the match maker, but with no further result thau a great deal f.f ; mutual abutie, Cbea next filed a petition in the magistrate's court, and Yu presented a counter-petition written for hiin by Chin. The case came on for hearing, and the magistrate soon elicited the truth. After rating Yu soundly, he turned to Chen and siid, "You can take the girl or not as you like, but I strongly advice you not to." Chen persisted in having her, and the magistrate ordered the two parties to draw up a formal contract. Chin, who was present :u court, motioued to Yu not to sign the contract. He was detected, however, by the magistrates in so doing, and was called up and questioned, and theu cautioned that a man in his position should not mix himself up in a case of this sort. The magistrate then looked up the almauas and ehopc a lucky day in Juue for the wedding-day, whereupon Chin stepped forward on Vu's behalf and begged that th«? marriage might be held in the autumn. This interference thoroughly exasperated the magistrate, who thump.d the table and ordered « hiu to bo kept in confinement till afier the marriage wis completed. In a short time the matchmaker predated hersrlf at Yu's house with the customary presents. When she was well inside the door was closed, and the father aud daughter fell upon her and beat her horribly. The woman, after this ftretiste, not knowing what would happen on the real wedding day, appealed to the magistrate, who again called up the parties. Yu could only a'lege in excuse that the sou-in-la-.v had not come in person to the lious?. Chen said that the custom was given up in tho country, and besides, his son had not I the money to buy a proper dress for the I occasion. The magistrate replied that the , bridegroom should certainly go to the house, and as he was poor the magistrate would give him the money for the dress Moreover, when the day came, the magistrate said he would send two policemen with the bridegroom, and, if tlitre was any troub'e, tho girl should be carried to the magistrate's yameu and married there. When the day came the policemen eacortel the party to the bride's house aud then back to the bridegroom's, aud waited till the marriage ceremony had actually performed.