The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-10
BISHOP PREUs's DAU0HTER A BRIDE
A Norwegian Marriage Ceremony and Feast
In Wisconsin.

MADISON, Wis, Sept. Al was driving
along through the town of Leeds. aDout twenty
miles from this place. drinking my I'll of the
glorious scene Of plenty about me. Clusters OF
grain stacks stood on every hand bursting with
golden riches. broad stretches Of waving corn
shook their leaves in the air. As ] nenrcd the
little church of Springdalc its small bell began
to ring in short. quick strokes. and saw np-
preaching n long procession OF carriages. bug
and children, whom ! readily recognized us
Norwrginns. thn. principal Inhabitants Of this
thrifty region. They stopped before the church.
md from the foremost carriage alght.d. first
two gentlemen. then two ladies, one of whom
WIS Young AMI air with snowy dress and
| Joined the throng about the church. The
elderly gentleman. tnking the bride on his arm.
followed by the mother and groom and twelve
white.robcd bridesmaids. assembled the steps.
The church door was closed and barred but. ~
the father shook tn" handle and pronoun ed
som" words ~ his native tongue, II WAS op ned
from within. and the bridal party entered.
Many unable to get in stationed themselves out
lcarnod from n friendly Norsk that II WIS tho
mnrriaHc day Of the dnu ghtcr Of Bishop Prcus.
thr hrnd Of four ilour's.hing church,. IN 9hlr.
cultivated gentleman. He had invited the four
congregations Ia attend his daughtrr's wciding.
and about 600 had responded. Tho Simple
church was fcstuoned with gnrlands of .onk
leaves. and the seats ~ honor drapod in white,
two places being further adorned hy strips of
curiously wrought tapestry ns seats Tor tn"
bride and groom. \ similar piece WIS placed
for them to knco upon. The ceremony WIS
fully nm hour long. and in. ludcd chauting. sing
y.
dress tu the bride bv her father. the bishop.
Irnm the chur Vi The whole company retaircd
to the bishops house. half mile distant. The
hrdo received her friends with gracious cnsn
and pleasure; the Weather. bearing their z IT'S
Of gold md silver. were met with no SUMMER
smile thnn the sun-cmhruwncd old woman W tn
n 'k"rrhirf pinned ovrr her head. who ria ed
in tn" young hands u brown tablecloth or some
other simple testimonial of earnest friend Illness.
Many. as they came up To- congratulate h"r.
handed her money Of different sums; this she
took gracefully and dropped into n silver lowl
ON the table at her side. By the time the last
kind greetings were over the table WIS lnden
with an array of gifts that metropolitan bride
might have cnyied. After the reception the
company went ton n"ighhorlng grove whore.
I'M Ter a rude canopy. was spread table cana-
hl II seating $50 guests At the first table sat the
bridal party the bridrsmaids now attended toy
tw"iNc flne-loo ing young men. the minister's
trnohor~. and dignitarics of the parishes. and
others in du" order.
The rrpast was fitting the board Of Cedric the
saxon, gra'rd 10y the qurcny Ruwena; huge
joints OF meat. fowls curiOu-lv dr,ssrd with
VIII plums. vegetables. mountains of cake. and
hotties of native win" set thiekly along the
board \ shed near formed Il temporary
kitchen. whcr, sin stoves and u battalion of
c,, ~ prepared tn feast. The table was ncrts-
slrl'y lad several times 10 ACCOMMODATE all
tn ..u' ST..
At the conclusion Of the dinner boxes Of clay
pipes wtrr brought and lIllrd for the men, who
separated into groups una r the trees. ana us
watched the MrDutl- OF blue smoke curling
laIilY up through tho summer air the whole
s''ne seemed like leaf torn from some old
romance, ~ parting Wc were served with COZ
f.. or beer and bdtkclS. "a peculiar sort Of fried
cake much eaten 10y the ScandinaVians with
their coffee. Then good-byes were said.