r characters were alike, the two young people were both born
under the "Tiger," and other things agreed as well. Whereupon the two
families expressed their satisfaction, and declared themselves ready to
arrange for an engagement.

But now the middleman had a busy time of it, for there were many things
to settle before the engagement could take place. First of all, he
went to Mr. and Mrs. Tu, and asked how much money they would want for
their daughter. "As she is our only daughter, we want her to have a
good outfit," replied the parents, "so Mr. Hsue must give at least $40
and some good clothes." The list was then made out--$40, ten articles
of clothing, a ring, two bracelets, a pair of earrings, and three
silver hair ornaments. The indefatigable middleman took the list to
the Hsue family, who looked at it critically. After some time of
haggling over the different articles, they finally agreed to furnish
all, and preparations were begun in full earnest.

The day appointed for the engagement arrived, and there was great
excitement in the two homes which were filled with visitors and
well-wishers. The feast on both sides had to be provided by the young
man's family. About dinner-time, on the day appointed, a party, headed
by the middleman, was seen advancing toward Kucheng, carrying a sort of
wooden box or basket, with several trays, one piled on top of the
other. One tray carried all sorts of sweetmeats and the half of the
money, twenty dollars, wrapped in red paper. Another tray was filled
with pork and fish; again, another with different kinds of expensive
vegetables. Another carrier brought the engagement cake, and five
articles of clothing, and all the silver ornaments. Everywhere,
scattered among all the things, were cypress leaves, a symbol of
longevity and good luck.

On reaching the Tu home, the men with their precious burdens were
received with fire-crackers, and eagerly all the things were examined,
some of them meeting with approval, others with disapproval. After
dinner the party started off again for the Hsue home, taking the return
presents. These consisted of the following articles--a hat, a pair of
shoes and stockings, a sash, a number of embroidered purses, with a few
dollars in them, also some vegetable seeds, peanuts, sunflower seeds,
etc. Most of these things were graciously received by the young man
and his family, and the parents on both sides were satisfied.

The Engagement Agreem