The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-04-13

<Auo III IneSe DTluaI RAIDS, johnny O1l>
pin and Mazeppa might have been en-
couraged to sit their horses by the fear
iessness of the weaker sex. Even rain
and mud did not appal them. Many
coiored shawls, pink and white ribbons,
! scarlet cloaks, hoods Of all dyes, were
forgotten in the one great object of being
up with the bride.
All the country side was out to see,
shouting, cheering and frightening the
horses. There was generally mile or
SO OF turnpike road before they reached
the church. 30 that the steeple chase end
ed in fair race. The bride and her
father still strained on in advance, but
being visible to all, were more easily
reached by the party of the bridegroom.
lie was usually the first to come up with
them, and then began Tourney for the
Bride. The lover tried to tear her from
herpillion she clung to her father, who
held her fast the horses pranced or rear
ed, and the dangerous game lasted until
the bridegroom elect gained possession
of his bri'!e, and placed her on his own
horse. Meanwhile the horses tore up,
that their riders might be there 10 see,'
and in the melee not ever the firm seat
of the woman could always save them
from a downfall. The spectators laughed
and shouted while they righted them>
selves, and amid a very babel of noise,
the bridegroom started again with his
bride and the race re- commenced. The
equestrian tournament was over, but the
church had still to be reached.
The arrival of the troop at town or viii
lage was generally accompanied by great
ectot. The news of a Horse Wedding al
ways preceded it, and brought all the in
habi;ants 10 the front. 1t might be sup
posed that the spirit of horses and riders
was tired out by this time on the con-
trary, it was ever sharpest AT sight of the
goal. If they had tagged little after
the excitement at the capture of the bride
they reused themselves at the prospect of
the parson. The chances were that the
roads had been dirty. Ii did not signify.
On they came, bespattered by mud or
besm0,hered by dust. Bride and brides
groom, father, tailor or best man, brides
maids, mothers, sisters, brothers, friends,
over a hundred horses, all Pelted into
the town haphazard. Pattering, clatter-
ing, whiparm extended-coat-lails, petti>
coats, shawls, ribbons hoating-on they
galloped by units, tens, ot scores 1t was
as though the whole country weIe Ca
reering away, pursued by some unseen
enemy. Tue scattered houses and streets
were lined with spectators. Harrahs
and waving of hats, peals Of laughter,
remarks on personal appearances, bark
| ing of dogs, screaming of babies, screech-
ing Of small boys, such a hullabaloo as
would frigh;en nodern lover out of mat
rimoEy, only cmboldenei the hero of the
Horse Wedding. Shouts of .Prioias
ftrch : and '],Todasfubr bride and
Bridegroom) encouraged him to new eff
fort, and he was usually foremost in the
race.
He finally dashed into the yard of one
of the principal inns, and 50 ended it.
Others dashed in after him; mOie noise
and confusion. All the hotels were open
armed-all their arms were filled. A
| Horse Wedding was fortune to the
iunkeepers Every available stall had
its horse or horses, every available room
its inmates. The bride and her brides>
maids smoothed their ruffied garments
before the looking glass; the bridegroom
and his men reiIesneu themselves viii
draughis of ale. Before half past eleven
O'Clock procession was formed. The
lovers preceded, arm in arm every Jack
and Gill, and followed. Blushing, tit
tering, coquettins, they took their way
to the church i'll pairs. The old people
and children followed less regularly
Friends joined the string who had not
joined the race, and q goodly string it
was Shopkeepers were at their doors,
their wives in the windows, spectators
everywhere. Jests few, and kindly feel>
ing prevailed.
The ceremony was duly performed in
the old parish church, and there was no
doubt about the wedding. All those val-
liant horsemen and horsewomen certified
it, and strengthened the Gordian knot.
As there was no easy divorce scissors In
those days TO cut it, they remained man
and wife till death did them part. The
young men and maidens took the privi-
lege of kiss, nothing 10th, and after
the usual singing, the procession reform
ed.
All the company returned to the vari>
Gus inns, but not at once to re mount
their horses and go back to the farm
The body required invigsrating after the
labors Of the morning. The inntaps
flowed with ale, and tired nature 'took
them at the flood ; but it did not follow
that they led on to fortune Brides
men treated bridesmaids, and the kis -
permitted at the altar-was snatched at
the hotel.
The exit from the town was less regu
lar than the entry. The newly y-married
pair and their immediate friends rode off,
steadily enough, and we're cheered as they
went. The bride blushed behind her
groom, and had to bear the brunt Of jokes
and eibes. The rest followed at leisure.
| ayan hareoa vvpro