Our Little Hindu Cousin

le, young people, children, beggars of all kinds, priests of all faiths, sick people and well people,-all goin

t the wagon and servants and made their way through the crowded, dirty

ht as met

ll the temples in th

people, too,"

r, as they shouldered their way through a crow

at our child will be cured," said the gentle mother, as sh

retched up and down the river back as far as they could see. In front of these temples

ring," said Chola's father, as they walked past

ISTED INTO WREATHS AND

nd put dishes of coloured rice and flowers before a great bronze image with four a

nt of the temple to the river's bank, and the b

used themselves trying to catch the long lines of flower wreaths which went floating by. These wreaths of flow

home. They had lost most of their arms and legs on the journey, and were sorry-looking little dolls; but Shriya was very fond of them, and she wondered if the "Sacred River" would really miss them if she kept them. With a sigh she decided this wou

he had bought from the flower-seller who sat under one of the big umbrellas. These the children twisted into wreaths and th

heir bath. There were indeed thousands of people; some just getting ready to enter the water; others slipping into their dry clo

rning 'ghats.' May the little one not have to be carried there," said his uncle

n and the gods may hear thee," said the m

e they do drink it; for you can imagine how dirty the river is with so many, many thousands of people bathing in it all the time. For this reason certain of the "ghats" along the riv

y baths and drank much water. When they finally got home again

's father, as he looked at the

to bring us good luck, too," Cho

coming to the city to take a new elephant back home wit

m for our little Hindu cousins to marry very young. But this is only a ceremony. As little Shriya was only nine years old, sh

tty, bright dresses or jewels, and only eat one meal a day. Then, too, everybody would have as little to do with her as possible; for even to see a widow is thought to be bad luck. You see that some of th

. How happy and excited she was! To-day, for the first time in her life, she was the most important person in the family.

efully, as the mother draped a scarf of pale blue silk al

which she had worn at her own wedding on Shriya's head. It was of gold set with many jewels, and little Shriya gave

neck. Then she put on bracelet after bracelet of gold and silver until her arms were almost covered from shoulder to wrist, and she had to hold them stiff like a doll. An

ing barefooted? Shriya would much rather have rings on her toes than shoes and sto

flowers all over her. It was no wonder that she had to be pushed

g her good wishes. The boys were quite jealous, for they felt that

ried, too," said Chola, t

RIAGE O

in front of his turban a handsome jewelled ornament. He had shoes on, and around his neck were chains of jewels and precious stones. Behind him came a long procession of relatives and friends. When he got to the door, all the little girls, Shriya's little friend

put up in the inner courtyard, under wh

est, a sign of politeness to the "good spirits" who were supposed to be present; and, after many long prayers, the grandmother put a silver c

he pet monkey, do but snatch some of the rice out of the bowl, and rush with it to the roof, where he sat chattering and throwing it down on th

e cried, looking up at his pet. But Jam only chattered the hard

monkey.' Eh, Chola?" said his Uncle Achmed, who ha

beating of drums was heard outside and in

ves, deeming it too much work. All the time the musicians were beating their drums and playing on the funniest sorts of instruments imag

and you may believe that the grandmother was making everybody fly around. But she found time to scold the crowd of beggar

ood to the poor at

ng and saw the wonderful fireworks. There were queer animals and birds, all made up with coloured lamps and fires; and all through the trees were hung lan