Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-05-14
No Sutrifite Of 1orintiplcs.


10
dancing fight The poor little bride was nov
placed in the middle of the room, Just unde
the chandelier; it was well she was so little
a handkerchief was tied over her eyes, ant
we woman danced in a circle round her
while she in turns caught one and another il
her arms, and swung her round and rount
in desperate enegyi then clown--loosened
shaking and tottering on her bead.-was tC
fall off on that of the grill who was to be mex
married. This movement was supposed t
be accidental, bride being blindfolded; bu
| happened to ask her sister beforehand if sh,
hoped to get the crown, to which the cir
rather sukiIy answered. No, it must 90 tc
the other bridemaid, who is betrothed.' And
so, on the head of the betrothed the myrtle
crown came down; and the choice it made
was appIauded by the men, who stood in an
outer circle looking on, and clapped their
hands when the FdStnio (betrothedD looked
innocently confused at such an apropos acci-
dent. While her crown was off, l thought
the play was over, but now came the struc-
gle The matrons made dancing attack on
the ran ks of the single sisters, who enclosed
the bride. The former were to take, the
latter to retain her if possible. For my part,
knowing we formed forlorn-hope, and be-
lievirg that the object of our defence was a
traitor in the camp, should, perhaps, had l
thought about it, have done just what did
but l did not think, for in the confusion mis-
took one party for the other, and, getting my
arms round the passive bride. fairly drew her
into the circle of matrons; and dare say the
captured one thanked me for putting an end
to the contest Then the same thing was ac-
ted with the bridegroom. who had stood calm
lv looking on at his young wife's troubles,
only his treatment was rougher and sooner
over. The married men having got him, the
single brethren seized him in their arms, and
gave him farewell fling towards the ceiling,
which the interposil;on of the chandelier pre-
vented his reaching.
The horror Of our poor hostess on this oc-
cason formed the most laughable part of the
scene; unable either to make herself heard or
seen by the ac tors in it, and equally unable,
suppose, to resist the influence of the wild rat
ting music, she capered round the group, who
were tossing the recreant, to the imminent per-
il of her chandelier, her arms and hands
stretched out towards it, as if she fain would
shelter 1t within them: her mouth wide open.
and her eyes as full of terror as if she saw the
royal ghost rafting the glass pendants, that
shook and jingled at every heave of the bride
groom. AT last, having fairly turned the solcs
of his feet to the ceiling, they turned them
downward again, and set him on them, look
ing just as equable and pleasant as ever. 1t
was now three o'clock in the morning; the COW
cred sledge was waiting, the great man of the
party-there is great man at all parties
was to leave me at home l endeavoured to
express my thanks, but was met with expires
sions of great thanklu!ness for the honor | had
conferred; and SO came away. / do not
think that anything could give me more "a
vorable idea of the manners of the Swedish
people than the conduct which saw on tLis
occasion"