The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-10
THE FAT GIRL MARRIED.
But the GroOm's Angry Father Kept
Back by the Crowd.
A Curious Scene in a Bowery Museum that
Attracted Thousands of People.
New York World, Sept. 81

New York World Sept. 27.l
A mob of 500 young men and women, with
fair sprinkling of children, struggled about
night. Inside 1000 persons sweltered in the
garlic-laden atmosphere and counted them
selves fortunate in having secured a place.
For two long hours the eXpectant audience
remained tightly packed in room which
would have comfortably accommodated less
than forty people, impelled by that morbid
curiisity which makes the protruding brains
or the gashed throat of suicide attractive
The attraction last night was the an
pouncement of the marriage of the fat girl,
Miss Blanche Grey TO the cigarette-smoking
boy, Moses, the ex-butcher. Miss Grey had
consented to overlook the disparity of 400
pounds in weight and all went merry as a
street-car bell. There was nothing to mar
the enjoyment of the occasion except the
foul smell, the stuffy little stage, the howl
ing crowds and a tongue-tied preacher
The arrangements were on a large scale.
They had to be. The stage was securely
propped up and every precaution taken to
prevent a catastrophe. Cat-calls and yells
for the bonnie bride brought out the infor-
nation that she was dressing. This required
time and space and the audience must
perspire in patience. Dressing the bride was
no light undertaking. as the matronly ladies
who were engaged in the great work an
nounced. and 1t was only accomplished after
a great deal of apparently unnecessary noise.
DRESSING THE BRIDE.
The lady at the maiden's right hand
shouted out how the covering fitted at that
point; the midshipman-or lady, rather
stationed midway between the brides shout
ders, would respond Aye, aye" and cali out
in turn her report to the matron on duty at
h. lof& hopI Thine htvo bind Of olaphnrio
communication, the dress was bent to its
proper position and the bride made ready to
receive her chosen lord.
Everything was in readiness, and promptly
at $50 the derrick was adjusted and the en-
tire bride lowered without accident to the
floor below, landing among the audience.
Six stalwart policemen persuasively marched
the spectators back, and passage was made
through which the bridal party of one tri-
umphantly marched, Kept from falling by
the crowds pressing upon her from every
side. 1t was terrible journey through the
thick, odorous atmosphere, and when the
rear OF the platform upon which the mar
riage was to be solemnized was reached the
girl was perspiring from every pore. Otficious
attendants with table cloths and towels
caught up the Iivulets as they ran and
famed the almost unconscious lad to pre-
vent her from fainting.
WATER. WATER
Water, water, she gaSped, but there was
none to be had nearer than the street, and IL
was impossible to force a way through the
crowds in front. One foraging friend luckily
found an old bottle half filled with hair-oi,
and this relieved the thirst of the young girl
in q measure. But now another difficulty
presented itself. Three steps led up to the
platform, and how to climb these was the
question. Get five or six strong men, she
pleaded, and with their assistance and clutch
ing at the heavy air as q safe support, the as
cent was finally accomplished. A halt of ten
minutes was called behind screen to recu-
perate the waning energies OF the wearer OF
the orange blossoms. The crowd was grow
ing impatient, and the bride was gently hur-
ried upon the stage roar OF enthusiasm
greeted her as she stood for moment before
sinking into chair, giving her friends an
opportunity to inspect her costume.
THE BRIDAL COSTUME.
She wore balloon made up of crimson
piano covers, trimmed with awning fringe
and looped up with canvas girths. A mos
quito bar hung in graceful folds from her
head, and she wore a garden of orange
blossoms at her corsage The groom wore
ton and a sickly smile. At the last moment
he had forgotten a necktie, but this little
oversight was soon remedied.
Upon the stage in various stages of per.
spiration were ranged four colored men in
dress coats, one in an old red coat, one
Humpty-Dumpty, six Irish girls, one Cir
cassian girl and a number of walters, attend
ants, etc.
Rev. Charles Z. Berger, of No. 312 Sixth
street. performed the ceremony. The groom
had never been married before and was a
little nervous. He signed the contract with
a firm hand and the table was moved up to
the bride, and she, releasing her arm from
the attendant who was rubbing it with
table cloth, she signed in full, round sigma
ture. Then seizing an opportunity when no
one was looking she hastily gulped down the
remainder of the ink and sank back with a
smile of contentment.
MARRIED.
The reverend gentleman stumped aim
lessly about the stage for few minutes in
dulging in a little harmless rhetoric. refer
ring to the Convention at Buffalo. Ap
preaching young Mr.. Moses the minister
yanked him around, motioned to the bride
to pay attention, and inquired: will you
have her? Have him? Got ring? pro-
nounce you man and wife,"
The ladies swooped down upon the suffer
ing bride and smothered her with kisses, the
crowd was politely asked to disperse, and
the groom hid behind the screen and looked
longingly at the napkin ring that he had
surrendered to his wife.
The management pres ented an elegant an
Choir chain to decorate the neck of the happy
young wife, and other friends made offer
ings of flowers A bouquet from Grace Court
ow never grow less"
Rev. Mr.. Berger took upon himself to Of
fer the newly married pair piece of advice,
in which he urgently advised them to raise
their progeny in the Democratic faith.