The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-11-07
THE TRIBUNE.
IA Iastic Wedding.

g S
A gentleman writes to the Boston Al
: iUesttscr from the old town of Esslepeen
In Wurteisburg, describing the rustic
wedding customs of the simple hearted
Gcrasap PGlsattr1; ES
MARRYING and Being given IN marriar %
= the h4Ait now, for this is the time 10,
saesada1S and the good obi !. ,sthevar
pastor says he is kept very busy by hi.
peasant folks We saw one morning two
weddings; one of a peasant couple. where
: the 4f'dste'r ssssel the Swabian dialect, as
best suited tp those whom he bound to-
gethsE al death doth them part. The
second being another class, he preached
them sermon IN pure and elegant Ger
man, as our young ladies told us. There
Is Il pleasant custom among these Swabi-
an people to bring little children aud flow
els prominently before them in all their
pleasures. Bridal professions are prece-
den BY young children with wreaths of
flowers or green leaves, then the betroth-
ell follow. the maiden dressed i'll black :;
Ii Is of, some silk stuff her short dress is
made, if we'll to DO in this worlds goods,
1t not, alpaca serves her: black gloves,
black shawl, and wreath of white flow
ers, and a nosegays at her girdle, Her
lover also wears IA black suit, sometimes
OF ''tabby velvet with silver gulden for
buttons, a bridal favor in his button
hole SO
The bridesmaids follow all in white
with gay ribbons and wreaths of flowers,
with an attendant friend also wearing
bridal fayors.r Then come the fathers
and mothers with relatives and friends;
the bells on the old church meanwhile
sending out i merry welcome to peasant
brides as well as brides of higher de-
gree. On entering the church the mai
den IS led by her lover to a pew where
she sits attended by her bridesmaids and
female friend The bridegroom with his
companions meanwhile take seats in pews
opposite, while the little children with
their flowers are placed near the altar
The old bell ceases its gay cE'mor and
the pastor e tiers by side door In his
black robe, ascends the pulpit, and reads
the betrothed good long sermon in
pure German or Swabian, as his judg-
ment dictates. He is an old man, and
dearly loved by his peasant folks; being
q ripe scholar, he INDUCES his fancy
when he knows those who have come to
he joined together in holy state of matri-
mony will understand his fine periods
AM rich flow Of language.
Alter sermon, the pastor and the as
sembled group together bend In silent
prayer. He leaves the pulpit. and puts
over his black robe Il white linen surplice
then goes to the altar. on which there is
laid :, Bible in u leather case. The bride
groom leaves his seat for the pew where
The maiden sits. and leads her to the altar
where the service is finished which makes
them husband and wife On leaving
the altar, the husband receives from the
pastor the Bible, with an injunction to
read and be governed by its teachings
diligently and with the fear OF God He
then deposits III the receiving plate bit
of money, and the bridal party follow,
each giving as they please to the fund for
purchasing other bibles for other hus
bands, who may come after. Every
bridegroom, from those who wear klngly
crnwns to the humblest peasant, receives
bible at the altar when he plights his
troth to his welded wife The bride
meets at the church door, as it is opened
for her To pass out, group OF children,
her little friends. who have gathered
there, ready to offer their gifts, son;e
bright flowers, some fruit, some cup
and saucer, some a plate, a gay ribbon,
spool of thread, or whatever they may
please to bestow These they give to
soulc one Of the bridal party TO take to
the brides new home One morning
henri IA merry chattering in the street,
and looking cat of my window, saw a
peasant bridal procession going, with
the bridal gifts, to the new home. Two
women carried on their heads each new
mittrcss, others with large pillows cover
cirwith bright colors, others with new
baskets of linen both bed aud table lin
en-. One woman, quite tasty in her bas-
ket covering, had the muslin curtains
neatly folded, and a gay pin-cuShon for
her gift. \ man with'a mirror, another
with a new basket of china, willie poor,
decrepid old peasant, bent with suffering
and pain, has, his heart lighted for lit
tie by bright, new dast-panana brush
he WIS taking for the young people.
Eas > 3 = .