The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-28

/ ~-"--N@f'
accompanied the second time with hi.
future bride, when both are the admired
of all admirers and criticised by all critics
the third time is with the parents. All
this happens before the wedding itself, as
also does the following event, the most i'm.
portant of them all, namely, the visit to
the ncighboring village to purchase the
song-bOok and muff-two objects consid
cred by ancient custom as unexceptionably
requisite. Early in the morning the
two horses arc hitched to the wagon, and
off they start on their journey to make
their purchases, in greatest anxiety, lesl
some accident might happen. Having
arrived safely at their destination, they
spend the day. They make their purcha-
ses, eat an excellent dinner, drink the
finest Of wine, the young man with great
solemnity informing his maiden that she
dare never forget this day, and late in the
evening they return homeward. Eight
days before the wedding a call is made on
the priest and request is made that he give
the invitation which, according to custom
runs as follows:
Best wishes from Julia and John
(namiug the parties.) On Wednesday
next they have their wedding day. You
shall come, both old and young, and helI
devour that which kitchen aud cellar car
produce"
Rosemary leaves are gathered by the
young maidens of the village, with which
they trim the hats Of the young lovers
The evening before the wedding the young
men gather at the house of the young mar
to sing and dance, as also the old women
to pick out the best peas for the pea-souT
for the following day.
Does it happen that the young lady il
from another village, then the day before
the marriage she comes to the house ol
her lover, sitting in wagon with friend
and relatives, all trimmed with wreathl
and garlands, drawn by horse, MOUNTED
by youth who knows full we'll the charge
he has behind him. After the wagon fol
low the brides COW with her calf numbe
of sheep and pigs, all to be partakers Of
the festivities. When the caravan hai
arrived at the young mans house, he come
out and offers the bride glass of water
which twice she brings to her lips, ther
throws it backward over her head to the
ground. If the glass breaks, then evi
omens are portending, if not, thei, the fate
are favorable.
The wedding-day itself arrives. Early
in the morning the bells of the village arr
rung, and the invited guests are seer
promenading about the streets, their hat
trimmed with bright-colored bands, and
garlands on their arms, till the time comes
for assembling at the house of the wed
ding, there TO commence the festivities
with n breakfast, which consists Of meat
soup, cake, beer and wine. Already earl,
in the morning the young man has for
warded wine-soup to his future bride, ii
order that, as the saying goes, she may
have red checks; later in the forenoon III,
priest is sent for and brought to the scene
of the festivities he INDUCES in a little
beer and wine, then orders the maiden Il
be brought, who after the breakfast depart
cd to arrange herself for further cercmo
nies, All the guests, headed by music
start in search Of her, often on horseback
which present very comical sight, when
each return with young maiden behind
them, headed by the lovers the nader
is bathcd in tears at being thus born,
away from her fathers house, but this sor
row departs the moment all have dis
mounted, and everybody commences Il
congratulate her. All the good wishes
having been expressed, the priest demand
attention and impresses upon all the so
lemnity of the proceedings Immediatel,
after the procession is formed for th'
church the lovers lead, then comes th,
priest, followed by relatives and friends, al
on foot; of this the younger people Of thu
village take advantage by stretching rop'
across the road, with the notice that tn,
lovers shall not pass until they have made
them a present money is generally given
and wealthy peasants very often expent
quite sum of money, being obliged Il
give something each time they are thu
stopped.
When the procession has arrived at tn,
church door the bridal pair enter, arm il
arm, very ancient custom, since the su
perstitious idea is entertained that, shoul,
they not do this, then the "devil" woult
slip between, thus rendering them unhap
py all their lives; they are followed by al
the guests and the rest of the villagers
having reached the altar the couple sepa
rate, one going to the right the other Il
) the left; there they stand alone while I
psalm is sung, in which the entire congre
CATION joins. This done the two approach
each other, bow, and face the altar ; tn
young man throws part of his cloak owe
the maiden's shoulders, so that no ON
from the congregation can see betweeI
, them the firm belief is, that If any on
, can sec between, that great misfortune