The Dickinson press., 1888-08-25
GERMAN COURTSIITP.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FRAU
LElN's ENGAGEMENT.

How the Question Is Popped-PerforminR
the Marriage Ceremony-Greeting-t the
Bride and Groom-strange Sights for
American Eyes-Contcntment
At the end of the second week the lover
came in one morning, and presented himself
before the young lady, who was i'll my room,
and asked for Il few moments private con-
versation. | stepped out to give him the
floor and this is what, she aftcrward related,
transpircd: The young man advanced to-
ward his beloved and handed her Il note, in
which We're written a few lines from her
mother, saying that the bearer was about to
propose in good form, and for her to accept
him. AS she finished reading an agitated
voice from the vicinity of the door was
heard, for the young man was exceedingly
nervous ON this occasion: SAIost gracious
and respected fraulein, have the honoi. to
offer You my heart C,nd ne clapped his hand
over that orsan and hand in holy mar
riase." Here emotion checked him. but not
the Young lady, who was % years old Most
esteemed Herr Won IL she said II thank
you for Il proposal, which l do myself the
honor to accept Herr Won Ii bowed,
kissed the Young lady hand and retired and
the latter came out and threw herself on my
neck, excalming. II am engaged" ina voice
which plainly Implied, ''-At last at last
Well, they were married. but first mamma
gave several parties in their honor. and there
WE saw them sitting side hv side on tin. sofa,
getting acquainted. Some said they were
discussing whether to have dirncr ut noon m
night. after they were one, but | doubted
that report, as Herr Won Ii had suddenly
developed an unmistnkalle air Of appr"pra-
tion of his beloved and a Maria black my
boots" tone when he spoke to her. think
there is little question in the minds of thos,.
present but that ''nuhlv" would have dinner
before breakfast if he should SO choose as
Soon as they were married.
The marriage ceremony in itself was an
education. Being an officer. the event took
place i'll the military church in Berlin. The
place was filled with spectators and friends
The front pows We're occupied by gorgeous
brother officers, sparkling and glif,rrns
with brass buttons and gold braid and near
them sat the especially invited" guests
Just before l.! O'clock for the ceremony was
in tn" morning, the minister entered and
took his place. Immediately all was hushcl.
but for the low voice of the old organ. Eight
bridemads then came in from the front and
advanced to meet the bride, who had Just a,,.
pcared on the horizon in the rear, leaning ~!
the arm of some relative unknown She
passed between the rows of white rolled
madens and led the way to the altar, fol-
lowed ly the groom and his train Here She
stopped, and they all took chairs, making
themselves quite comfortable, while the min
lister read II yard and half marriage ccrc-
mony before lie could bring himself to the
point At last the 81 will portion np-
preached, the young couple rose, swore and
were blessed.
TIL. crowd dispersed, and the married pair
drove away to large hall, engaged for the
Occasion. where the wedding breakfast was
laid. Here they wandered about, and got
better and b"tt"r acquainted every time tho
servants turned away their heads, and waited
for their guests To appear. AS these entered,
all parties bowed, and the women and old
men advanced to kiss the bride on both
checks; tho younger men We're restricted to
her hand The groom kissed all the natrons
and several comrades, and pressed the fingers
of all the pretty girls to his lips. Then each
officer unmarried, offered his arm to some
lovely mai! selected by his good friend. the
bridegroom. and lcti her to the table Eat
ing and drinking continued till $50, then
came the toasts, and as each hcalt! was,
drunk, it was etiquette to fill your glass, rise
and pass round the board clinking your gob-
let with your neighbors across the table,
When this was over, then came the
strangcst of the customs for the American
eyes. Th" doors were opened and the scrv-
ants of all he guests came trooping in, bring
ing mysterious packages and bundles Wcall
received innulncrable presents from personal
friends, though the latter Were unacquaiiitcI
with til" bride. That is th:- custom When
one hears that friend Is about to attend !,
welding. i; is ta!o correct thing To send him IL
present during the breakfast Of course lie
br!,lr is fit out, as she has received l!cr share
Mt he" own house, so Will" her guests are
maxim. merry over their gifts and counting
i.oN many ''lricnls they have the vullle
ri''rrie ,ruI'i" take their departure: that is
Tn" lr,. one of them. our host and
l.os..-s lett then, according to custom about
4 ucl NJ. leaving us to hold high carnival.
We danced til! l.? with several interrupt
tous for refreshments, Ioi' the German digcs-
ton is incyhaustiblc and sang and danced
again till the COCKS began To crow. I doubt
ii the ncighl,or> in the surrounding houses
enjoyed it is they should have done
So it goes with the upper classes, and about
the same style Of carousal is observed among
the lower grades, though Hans and Gretchen
do it in a simpler way Their wooing is
short and ardent They make love inces-
sautly, and it is quite the same to them
whether they are Observed or otherwise. 1t
is quite the common thing to see these lovers
walking hand in hand up the street. stopping
at every corner for kiss, while Hans
brother walks along with them, aud is in no
way embarrassed. Contentment reigns-p
Boston Transcript.