Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-11-15
south German Marriage GUS
-'.s,ee..--s tens.

( 1t is a pleasant custom among these
Suabian people to bring little children and
flowers prominently before them in al
their pleasures. Bridal professions are
preceded by young children with wreaths
of flowers or green leaves, then the be.
rtrothed follow, the maiden dressed in black
TT is Of some, silk stuff her short dress. is
made, if well to do in thissworld's goods
if not, alpaca serves her black gloves, q
black shawl and wreath f.white flowers
and & nosegay at her agirdle. Her lover
also wears a black suit, sometimes Of a
!. tabby velvet, with silver gul 1en' for but.
tons" a. bridal favor In his buttonhole
The bridesmaids follow, all in white, with
gay ribbons and wreaths Of flowers, with
an attendant friend also wearing bridal
fayors. !. Then come the fathers and
mothers with relatives and friends; the
bells on thelold church meanwhile sending
out a merry welcome to the peasant brides
as well as brides offs higher degree. On
entering the church the maiden is led by
her lover to pew, where she sits attended
by her bridesmaids and female friends.
The bridegroom and his companions mean
while take seats in pews opposite, while
the little children with their flowers take
seats near the altar. The, old bell ceases
its gay clamor, and the pastor enters by a
side door in his black robe, ascends the
pulpit, and reads the betrothed a good,
long sermon IN pure German or Sua bian,
as his Judgment dictates. He is an old
man, and dearly loved by his peasant folk (;
being ripe scholar, he INDUCES his fancy
when he knows those who have come to
be joined together in holy state of matri-
mony will understand his fine periods and
rich flow Of language. After sermon, the
pastor and the assembled group together
bend in silent prayer. He leaves the pull
pit and puts over his black robe white
linen surplice, then goes to the altar, on
which is laid a. Bible in a leather case.
The bridegroom 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 leay-
ing the altar the husband receives from
the pastor the Bible, with an injunction to
read and be governed by it's teachings dill
gently and with the fear of God. He then
deposits in the receiving plate bit OF
money, and the bridal party follow, each
giving as they please to the fund for pur-
chasing other Bibles for other husbands
who may come after. Every bridegroom,
from those who, wear kingly crowns to
the humble peasant, receives BLDG al
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; some bring flowers, some fruit
some cup and saucer, some aplate, q gay
ribbon, spool Of thread, or whatever
else they may choose to bestow. These
| they give to some one of the bridal party
to take to the BRIDES new home. One
morning / heard a merry gathering in the
street, and looking out of my window saw
a PEASANTS bridal procession going will
the bridal gifts to the new home. Two
women carried ON their heads each q new
mattress, others with new baskets of liner
! both bed and table linen. One women
quite tasty in her basket covering, had tn
muslin curtains neatly folded and gal
pincushion for her gift. "A man with ,
mirror; another with a new basket Q
china: while a poor decrepit old peasant
| bent with suffering and pain, had his hear
| lighted for little while by q bright new
dust-pan and brush he was taking for thu
| young people. az II 5777ts a.is.sf.f 80 { ia,