Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-05-19
MARRIED IN HIGH LEE
A Romantic Episode Of the st. Paul
Winter Festivities.

electric lights and amid the joyous &C
claims of thousands of interested spec
tators young couple stood upon car-
peted platform in the grand court of the
ice palace to plight their VOWS in holy
wedlock. This feature of the carnival
had been looked forward to with great
eagerness by residents of st. Paul and
visitors alike, and although $50 was the
time fixed for the ceremony long before
that time crowds began to flock into the
great court of the domain of Borealis.
Instead of the conventional ushers in
regulation black suits, white necktes,
snowy expanse of pleated shirt front,
and kid gloves, half q dozen stalwart
mounted policemen attended to the duty
usually performed by society young
men at church weddings. There were
no seats for spectators of the novel af-
fair, but all who wished it enjoyed the
privileges of standing in the open air an
hour or SO and being hurried hither and
thither by the minions of the law, who
had been charged to keep the courtyard
clear for those holding invitations to the
wedding. There was an absence of the
elaborate toilets usually visible at matri-
monial events inside a sacred edi6oe.
Heavy wooden mittens and covering Of
the same material for the ears and faces
of the assemblage were conspicuous,
and gayly-attired tobogganers and snow
shoers added to the picturesqueness OF
the brilliant scene. It was remarkable,
too, to note how many elderly ladies
braved the danger of contracting pneu-
monia or a graveyard cough in their de-
sire to witness the marriage, and they
bore good-humoredly the discomforts of
their situation, imbued only with a de-
sire to say that they were present on the
happy occasion.
A long procession of carnival clubs,
acting as an escort for the happy pair,
made its appearance, flanking carriages
containing the minister who was to tie
the nuptial knot and relatives of the
contracting parties. By dint of persua-
sion and sallies by the mounted ushers,
passageway was cleared to admit the
bridal procession, and brass band
added to the novelty of the wedding
ceremony, all the musicians being out
of breath when they halted in front of
the carpeted dais The Rev. Samuel q.
Smith had preceded the young couple,
and removing his hat, donned small
silk travelling cap, wrapped his fur coat
closer about him, and prepared for the
ordeal. Attended by best man and
bridesmaid George G. Brown and Miss
Eva N. Evans, passed slowly through
the double lines of friends in the carni-
val clubs, and Notwithstanding the fact
that they were the cynosure Of SO many
curious eyes, walked unhesitatiugly to
the platform, where the minister cordial
~ greeted them. It was not long after
their arrival before the words were ut
tered which pledged them to stand by
each other until death parted, for better
or for worse, the responses being made
by the bride and groom so as to
be audible to all within the courtyards
precincts. As the minister con-
cluded the beautiful and impressive
ceremony the crowd broke out into
joyous cheer, and no wedding march was
ever more beautifully chanted than the
one which accompanied Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown to their carriagefnside the palace
of st. Paul. They have been engaged
for a year now, but they were not intend
ing to be married until next March.
Mrs. Evans and Eva got to talk
ing the matter over one even
ing, and Mrs. Evans said the we'd
ding should take place in church.
But Eva declared she wasn't going to
march up church aisle with everybody
staring at her. She said she would drive
to the minister's and be married at his
house. Mrs. Evans thought she would
like to see q daughter of hers do that.
''The idea," she said: ''you'd better get
married in the ice palace. I only meant
it for a JOKE" explained Mrs. Evans;
''but the notion struck Eva and she and
George, without word to anybody,
sent letter to the Carnival Association
to see if it could be done. I did not
know anything about it till the answer
came"