The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1886-09-10

herself, after years hard saving, to
buy some calico for Sunday dress. l
know an old couple, parents OF num-
Der of erown-up children, who at GER
tsin seasons in the year. as regularly as
clock-work, are intoxicated. Every
thing that is found in the house is taken
to the tavern and exchanged for vodka,
and thus by the time they begin to real
ize their horrid position, a good portion
of linen, grain, flour and eggs is gone.
The husbands anger then knows no
limits, and the poor feeble wife, who
probably is the least to blame, suffers
from her lord all insults imaginable. |
know q quiet and peaceful young
peasant, who after being constantly
ridiculed by his comrades for being too
lenient with his wife. for allowing her
to have too much to say, slapped her
face upon one solemn occasion in the
presence of his friends merely for the
sake of denying this degrading accusa-
ton and establishing his reputation as
her master. Such is the lot of peas
ant woman. She is perfectly aware of
the ill treatment awaiting her in her fu-
ture home. vet she is satisfied and re-
signed to her fate,
Oftentimes,. however, it happens that
. peasant marries not only without hav-
ing the faintest idea OF the girls char-
acter, but almost without having had 3
chance to exchange q few words with
her. This is generally done at the time,
when for some reason or other. there is
no possibility of marrying any of the
girls of his own village, and when
marry he must. On a fine morning the
bridegroom, dressed up in his best
wooden svita, with the brightest red
colored belt, high sheepskin hat and
newest of boots, may be seen proudly
starting out in company with a few
elderly and experienced peasants en-
gagged for this purpose by the BRIDE
groom's parents, in search of a good
girl. No house containing girl is
passed by.
Upon entering the house the wife
hunting party say few words Of Gus
tomary salutation. such as ''health be
to you. good people, " and Immediately.
wIfll0df beating around tho hush, APP
proach the subject This business like
transaction, it is worth while mention
ing, is often carried on in the absence
of the girl directly concerned in the
matter. The bridegroom upon such oc-
casions is supposed to have but little or
nothing 70 say. The conversation is
carried on between the parents Of the
girl and those entrusted with this inn
portant mission. II the girls parents,
for some reason or other, do not intend
to let their child be married at present
the guests are politely told so. and after
inquiring if there are any suitable girls
in that immediate neighborhood they
leave the house As . general thing,
however, the party experiences no dif-
iculty in obtaining the object desired
After the parents have decided the girl
ID summoned at once, and here ire
quently ensues scene worthy Of an art
lists brush. She takes her place by the
stove and without lifting her eyes, Bit
in& her paih and assuming the most in
nocent face, frequently Keeps the pnIy
waiting for . long while before the
laconic Eyes" (da) isextorted from her.
There is hardly need Of adding that
when once the parents decision il made
no prayers or tears on the girls part
can alter it A rope and strap brings
the most stubborn tchado to terms.
As soon rs the busy season is over tho
marriage season takes its place. Il gen.
orally lasts from the middle Of Septem-
Der ill late in November. The young
folks begin to prepare themselves for
the approaching festivities. Women
have their hands full in preparing vari-
GUS fancy baked dishes and other things
suitable upon such occasions-men in
boiling the vodka, engaging musicians
and working about th6hhouse. The vii
lage, which only f1WEeeks ago looked
- though it were forsaken, assumes now
. gay and lively appearance. Every
villager ID now more or less In . state
of excitement. But here the bride,
dressed in brocaded short skirt with
half dozen folds, in charming long
or sleeveless garment called korsyet. her
hair full Of bright and streaming rib
hons and flowers, starts out, accom-
panied BY. her girl friend, called druzhka.
to invite her relatives and friends to the
wedding. Every one she meets. whether
friend or stranger, is greeted with bow
nearly to the ground. That means 'sYou
orc welcome, good people, to attend my
wedding Very often used to avail
myself Of such opportunities. What in
terested me most the first time
/ attended peasants wedding
was the sight Of the lively crowd
that surrounded the i1ba (hut)
where the wedding took place. The
gloomy and stern expression 20 natural
to the peasant it seemed to me was
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