Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-02-04


he has his inamorita as trophy. II
her friends are victorious, he must paw
such price as the victors demand. All
over that country some ceremony of
violence or physical powers must pre-
cede wedding. In certain districts
theremust be wrestling match be-
tween the bride and groom. If the
man wins, the woman must surrender
herself to him. If she wins, she has
the option of accepting him or not.
Some native tribes compel foot race
between the bride and bridegroom to
decide the question of marriage, and
others require long chase on horse
back.
They have interesting marriage
ceremonies in Norway and Sweden.
The custom among the Swedish peas
ants is exceedingly droll. When girl
is to be married in Sweden she is
dressed in her bridal garments, and is
placed in the middle of room. AS
she stands she is surrounded by circle
of bright lights. The groomsmen then
enter, each carrying lighted lamp.
The villagers have assembled about
the cottage in the meantime, and the
doors and windows are thrown open.
Through them whoever wishes may
enter, and the most liberal criticisms
of the bride are made. Men and wo-
inen walk about her and talk freely to
to one another about her appearance,
her character, her prospects, etc. One
will hear some young fellow say:
We'll, she's to be married at last,
eh? About time, think. It's the first
offer she has had since l Tilted her.
"'Yes, some one else will say, and
pity the man who marries her.
"'But don't she look old, though
another spectator will say, and won't
she make the poor fellow stand
around?'
women wearing masks and differ
ent DISCUSSES will always be present for
the purpose of making remarks both
pointed and insulting, but everything is
borne patiently and in good part by the
bride and groom. The chatting is kept
up for an hour or two, every one but
the friends OF the parties are ordered to
quit the house, and the ceremony is
performed.
at takes good while for village
wedding festival to be carried ont in
Norwegian villages, sometimes as long
as week. Beer, spirits, plenty to eat,
music and dancing are the features.
The guests begin to assemble on the
day before the wedding. They are
welcomed with plenty of spirits and
beer by the bride and groom. The
village schoolmaster is always master
of the ceremonies, and it is he who in
vites the guests to the reception meal.
He says grace. A psalm is then sung
to the accompaniment of two violins.
The repast is simple, and served on q
bare table. No plates are used, but
large, fiat cakes of meal instead. The
night is spent in reveling. The next
morning at eight o'clock the wedding
procession starts for church. The bride
always wears silver crown and silver
ornaments. In some parts of the King
dom she is clad in purple robe, richly
embroidered with gold, frequently the
heirloom of centuries. Sometimes the
way to church is by boat and sometimes
on horseback. Music leads the way.
The march to church is never halted,
but when the party returns after the
church ceremony d salute is fired from
every house along the route, and at
every one the newly-married pair
alight and parSake of beer. The jour
ney home often takes a day, owing to
this general joining in the festivities.
AS soon as the bridal party reaches
home gtuI:sl dinner is served. After
that what is kis,wn rs the cradle tax is
collected. A tin dish is placed before
the bride, and her father deposits in it
a bank note and two silver spoons.
The guests all contribute money or
silver gifts. The rest of the wedding
dsy and part of the night are spent in
drinking and dancing. Then a pro-
cession is formed, and each person
carried lighted candle and escorts
the bride and groom 10 their apart
ment. The next day the wedding
gifts are presented. They are not dis
played, but each giver shouts out what
he or she gives, and shakes hands with
the married couple. The reveling and
rejoicing are kept up until the following.
Sunday, when they are brought to a
close, and the young couple are consid-
cred fifty married. l know something
about marriage in Norway, for was
married there myself and went through
the entire programme. IN. Y. Sun.