Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-28
AN OLD CUSTOM REVIVED.
A Bride and Groom Tortured by Foes
tOthe ,Joys of the HONEYMOON.

to the Joys of the Honeymoon.
From the MiIledgeuiIle (Gd.) Chronicle.
Were you ever at marriage belling!
The custom is OF Spanish origin. although
1t at one time was closely identified with
English people, because of its frequent
practice. Particularly was this the case
among fun-loving Americans. Nothing
delights an American more than to see
the dignity or conventionality of an &C.
casion brought into utter confusion or to-
tally destroyed. To accomplish this they
are frequently willing TO resort to rude or
grotesque measures; hence, to disturb
married couples nuptIal bliss is enjoyed
by them with an almost cruel delight.
They select the moment when the deli
caoy of the situation of the newly married
couple is most EN- barrassing and break in
upon them with every discordant noise
they are capable of making. While this
practice is not so common as formerly,
yet we had the pleasure of witnessing one
a few days since. The marriage came of
IN the .s. evening ming ,, and most ess
O the guests .mo wsre Sas seacs ess
the family and those remaining overnight
of the intended belling, and all the fe-
males and the groom looked forward to IL
with serious toreboding, while the male
members took every occasion to arouse
their worst fears and exaggerate every de-
tail. 1t was very evident that the male
members were in hearty accord, II not in
active utilization with the party to do the
beiling. AT frequent intervals they wou d
leave the room and return with fresh de-
velopments, which they claimed to have
received by grapevine telegraph. The
household could not have been in greater
dread had band of Indians threatened
them, and resolved to spend the night sit
ting up. il need be. About 10 O'Clock
signal gun was heard which confirmed
every fear. The house was hastily barri-
caded and the occupants treinblingly
awaited the onslaught. Another dreary
hour passed. and the apprehension was
wearing off, in the meantime the bellers
had met at their rendezvous. They num-
bered about twenty-five, and each carried
some noise-making instrument. We
reached the gang and joined them. Steal
thily they approached the house, and took
positions. Suddenly a score of fire arms
we're fired simultaneously, followed by
such horribly discOrdant din of noise
such as we have never listened to before. 1t
was sufficient to have electrified an Egyp-
tian mummy into life. At the startling
explosion, one of the ladies sprang into
the bed almost convulsed, while the re-
ants soon found there whereabouts and
stormed that point. Some scaled the
root and beat the shingles, while others
crept under the floor, and thumped that.
The widest CONSERVATION prevailed ON
the Inside, and the groom is said to have
trembled like leaf. The assailants sue
ceeded In getting window open unob-
served by any one; the groom was stand
ing with his back to this when trumpet
10 feet long was slipped near his feet and
a blast given loud enough for GabrePs
use. No one could blame the groom for
leaving the room in one bound and con-
vulsively clasping his bride in his arms.
At signal every sound was hushed to
the stiffness OF death. Then some one
with goose quill split In a peculiar
shape began an imitation of a baby's cry
that was perfection. A round of cheers
greeted this, and as it died away waltz
was struck up on musical instruments.
When this hushed the crowd noiselessly
withdrew and the belling was at an end.
For one hour and half 1t had lasted
which to the unfortunate victims appear
ed an age.