Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-05-04
GERMAN COURTSHIP.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FRAU
LENS ENGAGEMENT.


How the Question Is Popped-Performing
the Marriage Ceremony-Greeting tho
Bride and Groom-Strango Sights for
American observation-disclosures
At the end of the second week tho lover
came in one morning, and presented himself
before the young lady, who was in my room
and asked for a few memeutS' private CON
versation. ! stepped out to give him the
door, and this is what, she afterward related,
transpirod: The young man advanced to-
ward his beloved and handed her note, in
which were written a few lines from her
mother saying that tho 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 tho door was
beard, for the young man was exceedingly
,1ervous on this occasions "Most gracious
and respected fraulein, have tho honor to
offer you my heart (and no ciapped his hand
over that organ and hand in holy mar
riage.n Here emotion checked him, but not
the young lady, who was 90 years old "Most
esteemed Herr Won H." she said 81 thank
YOU for a proposal, which | do myself the
honor to accept" Herr Won II bowed,
kissed the young lady's hand and retired, and
the latter came out and threw herself on my
neck exclaiming, 81 am engagcdl" in voice
which plainly implied, cat last, at lastl"
Well they were married. but first mamma
gave several parties in their honor, and there
we saw them sitting side by side on the sofa,
getting acquainted. Some said they were
discussing whether to have dirner at noon or
night, after they were one, but | doubted
that report, as Herr Won H had suddenly
=
ton of his beloved and 'Maria black my
boots" tone when he spoke to her. | think
there is little question in the minds of those
present but that hubby" 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, tho event took
place in the military church in Berlin The
place was filed with spectators and friends.
The front pews were occupied 10y gorgeous
brother officers, sparkling and glittering
with brass buttons and gold braid and near
them sat the Especially invited" guests
Just before T. o'clock, for the ceremony was
in the morning, the minister entered and
took his place. Immediately all was hushed
but for the low voice of the old organ. Eight
bridesmaids then came in from the front and
advanced to meet the bride, who had just APP
peared on the horizon in the rear, leaning on
Che arm of some relative unknown. She
passed between the rows of white ROBBED
maidens and led the way 60 the altar, fol-
lowed by the groom and his train. Here she
stopped, and they all took chairs, making
themselves quite comfortable, while the min
ister read yard and half marriage cere-
mony before he could bring himself to tho
point. At last the 81 will" portion ap-
bn nd
were blessed.
Tho crowd dispersed, and tho married pair
drove away to a large hall, engaged for the
occasion, where the wedding breakfast was
laid. Here they wandered about, and got
better and better acquainted every time the
servants turned away their heads, and waited
for their guests to appear. AS these entered,
all parties bowed and tho women and old
men advanced to kiss tho bride on both
cheeks; the younger men were restricted to
her hand The groom kissed all the matrons
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 maid selected by his good friend, the
bridegroom, and led her to the table. Eat
ing and drinking continued till $780, then
came the toasts, and as each health was
drunk, it was etiquette to fill your glass, rise
and pass round the board, clinking your COB
let with your neiglbor's across the table.
When this was over, then came the
strangest of the customs for the American
eyes. The doors We're opened and the serv
ants of all the guests came trooping in, bring
ing mysterious packages and bundles. We al
received innumerable presents from persona
friends, though the latter were unacquainteC
with the bride. That is the custom. WheI
one hears that friend is about to attend
wedding, it is the correct thing to send him
present during the breakfast. OF course The
bride is left out, as she has received her share
at her own house, SO while her guests art
making merry over their gifts and counting
how many "friends' they have, the younl
married couple take their departure; that il
the last one sees of them. Our host an
hostess left them according to custom, abou
O'clock, leaving us to hold high carnival
We danced till II, with several Interrupt
lions for refreshments, for the German diges
ton is ineXhaustible, and sang and dance,
again till the cocks began to crow. | doub
if the neighbors in the surrounding house
enjoyed it as they should have DONE
So it goes with the upper classes, and abou
the same style of carousal is observed among
tho lower grades, though Hans and Gretchen
do it in a simpler way. Their wooing i
short and ardent. They make love inces
sanity and it is quite the same to then
whether they are observed or otherwise.
is quite the common thing to see these lover
walking hand in hand up the street, stopping
at every corner for a kiss, while Hans
brother walks along with them, and is in II
way embarrassed. Contentment reigns.-
Boston Transcript.
The So Called Grape Cure.