The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-12-10


When widow is one of the contrac
ting parties the fee is always the largest
Ministers tell strange tales In regard {,
marriage fees that is, when they vii
in the matrimonial market has placed 8
pleasant smile on many clergyman.
face. Some ministers always give the
wedding fees to their wives, others de.
vote it to the house, while others again
| lay it aside for their contribution to the
mission fund The fee varies according
to the happiness of the groom Often
times this little item in his wedding ex-
penses bothers him more than his clothes.
He does not know what he can give to
make it look decent, for there are many
who are anxious to get off with as little
as possible, while again there are others
who think the amount they are going to
give is too small and as the Joyful oc-
casion approaches they add another ten
to the amount In oldeD times the
groom had to attend to all these matters
himself, but now the best man not only
engages the carriages and makes the ar
raugements with the sexton and organist
but pays the preacher-with the money
given him by the groom. The fee to the
minister varies from IS to 500, although
the latter figure is very rarely reached.
especially in this city.
u once married couple remarked
a miuIster, 'and after the ceremony [
waited for the groom to pay his fee. 1t
was a private wedding at the parsonage.
and the groom handed me out two
dollar bill and asked for fifty cvnts change
L gave it to him. Such cases are rare.
The groom generally has the fee in an
envelope sealed, which he hands me be-
tore he leaves the house. 1t generally is
a good sum. In large weddings, the
best man, generally after the reception,
as | am about to leave the house, slips
Ct eek drawn by the groom into my
hands. One time ! had a pair of gloves
given me by groom. | thought it
strange at the time, and having no use
for them, laid them aside. One day |
had oecasioned to take them out, and,
to my surprise, found tive-dollar gold
piece in each finger. Whenever get a
pair of gloves now, | look them we'll be-
fore | put them away.
While the groom always gives the
minister something. it has become fash
sonable for the minister to give the bride
somethlng-th Is, when 1T is large
Wedding and the fee is generous. The
minister generally presents the bride with
the prayer book he marfies them with.
The names OF the contracting parties are
on the fly leaf, with an appropriate text
and their rector's autograph. Those
VINO run away aad get married generally
a. otf. z no IN rnuoyi 70
There the fee is less, because the minis
ter is unknoWn, tho man has no heavy
bill for carriages for the bridesmaids, aud
the minister; no charges from tie sexton
tor gas and opening the church. Nor
has he to pay the oTganlst to grind out
the wedding march. The florist, when
he returns, does not speak as he passes
by, for he has been cut ouC of hig money
for brides and bridesmaids bouquets.
His bill tor gloves and cravats is absolu-
tely nothing. All these glories are his,
but he misses the good time with the
boys at the dinner given him before his
marriage. He does not see all the friends
he ever had in church looking at him as
he walks down the aisle, nor does he get
grand lit 10 furnishing his house by
letting the bride receive presents from
her friends The man who is about to
be married goes on the plaD that it hap
pens only once in lifetime. and conse-
quently, he is lavish with all the money
he has saved for the occasion. A wed
ding suit is absolutely necessary; then. of
course, a travelling suit, for if his wife is
to appear in her trOusseau on the bridal
trip, he must appear in a new suit, too.
Therefore, the tailor comes in for from
1925 to Sl5O. Then his baberdasher has
whack at him. He must have new and
spotless linen, cravats and gloves, which
cost from $50 to $75 Their the carriages
to and from the church, which cost about
$50, the ministers fee, and servants, for
if there is a time servant wants to wish
you luck it is at a wedding, and they ex
pect small gratuity for such good
wishes. Then the barber steps in. A
wedding shave and hair brush costs just
five times as much as an ordinary one,
and besides the extra touches to the
groom, the ushers also need ''scrape'
and brush. OF course, the groom has
to buy his diamonds for the bride, and it
costs to buy precious stones. These lit
tie extras mount up alarmlDgly, until be-
fore the groom gets out Of the house and
is started on his bridal tour he has con
tinual drain on his pocket. No does
this drain cease at that time, for the tour
is generally conducted on the principle OF
moneys no object" for, of course, the
young man does not want to appear mean
before his young bride. SO the money
goes If the groom has expenses, they
are insignificant to those of the brides
father. If there is a reception, it comes
hard on aim. There is. first of all, the
brides trousseau. The figures vary to
such an alarming extent that it would be
folly to approximate them. Then come
the bills for the feast" The caterer
sends his bill, which varies with the sup
per or breakfast served. Then the or
chestra has to be Paid. The florist comes
in for his share, while the carriages have
to be paid for, extra service charged,
wines, cigars, and general breakage of
china, glass, &c. The policeman on the
beat and sometimes an extra one if the
wedding is large one-has to be remem-
bered. Five dollars for detective to
watch the presents, and sometimes an
extra amount to jeweler for the loan of
some of the numerous and expensive"
gifts. Then each member of the family
has to give the bride present, and,
papa is called upon to pay for them and
his own in the bargain. Thus the
arount swells Any one who has been
there knows how it is himself
Tone up the system by the use of