The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-18
THE BLACK FOREST.
Peasant Wedding and Good Story
About Four-Leaved Glover.

Peasant Wedding and a Good Story
About Four-Leaved Glover.
The Introduction of the railroad has
not yet destroyed the primitive customs
of these people, and in the absence of a
daily paper" the town-crier with his
bell comes in the early morning hours
into the square IN the center of the vii,
lage to announce everything from town
meetings and ordinances to the proper
time for the opening of the grape har-
vest, in order that none may begin to
pick the grapes until they are perfectly
ripe. Then at the ringing of the cur
few bell, when in summer time it is yet
quite light, and the children still play
ing about, it is really funny to see them
instantly scamper off home, as if they
had been imperatively called; and
where only few minutes before they
had been shouting and calling to each
other in their games, all is quiet and
only few flying figures are to be seen.
These Black Forest people are very
fond and proud of their country, and
enthusiastic in showing it and their
customs at the very best 1t is really
refreshing to see the man who drives
us turning his head from side TO side
and looking up at the hills with
such an admiring gaze, pointing
out every view as if he loved
It, especially towards evening, when he
turns around often and says, and truly,
too, 'JetZt ist aber die schonste zeit'-
now is the most beautiful time-and
then again. while on an excursion, he
told us that large peasant wedding
and marriage feast was taking place
not far off our route, and asked If we
would not go. To our objection that
we were strangers and not invited he
replied: 80, but you would be very well
came, and am sure the ladies would
have much pleasure. So we consented,
the horses were whipped mp, and we
turned off the high road, following a
lovely green lane for about two miles,
and long before the end began to meet
returning wedding guests, as we could
see from the favors they wore pinned
high up on the left side, made of tiny
artificial flowers, with silver leaves,
and often only a sprig of fragrant
lavender, most preferred by, the peas
ants themselves as a wedding favor.
We drew up at the door of large inn,
just in the barnyard, where crowds of
men and women stood about, and TO
our surprise as we stepped out of the
carriage the bride and bridegroom came
forward to receive US Both were
young and looked very grave and
solemn, though he was smoking a pipe,
h1r+ cr,,i1nI ord lAolyal y>lno-ol nh
we shook hands and congratulated
them. The bride wore a high
crown of white artificial flowers,
with a fringe of colored glass beads
hanging over her forehead, the usual
pretty costume Of black velvet bodice,
with full white sleeves to the elbow, a
high chemisette of the same, and a
black velvet collar, a skirt of dark blue
very full and short showing border of
red petticoat below it, and her hair in
a long, handsome band, hanging down
her back. The mans costume was only
remarkable for the shortness of the
waist of his black velveteen coat.
especially in the back, which was just
under his shoulder-blades, all the seams
edged with red and the coat lined with
it; that and his knee breeches looked as
if they might have descended TO him
through many generations.
Our driver. whom we had looked upon
as sort of chaperon in this strange
disappeared at once. but
friendly souls urged Us to join other
guests, unbidden and strangers like
only not foreigners, but who
welcomed us with great cordially 20
their table, which was a large wood
she'd, open 70 the children and chickens
alike, Soon the maidens came round
with the wedding fayors, which they
carefully pinned on the left side of
every guest, and smiIingly accepted
a small gratuitv. and we drank beer
and wine. as all were expected 10 do.
Some Of the guests had already imbibed
Z good share, to judge By the noise
hey made, and there was great clicking
II glasses and general iovialitv among
them. 4 brass band OF five pieces played
ieafening music just outside in the
yard. and we were glad when they ad-
iOurned 10 a big loft over the stat les.
and we followed 10 see the dancing, the
bride and groom and their relations be
ng meantime at their wedding feast
spread in the great dining room IN the
m People 81 all ages danced. and i
vas wonderful to see how readily these
in clumsy shoes caught the
lime and the step, and here FOR the first
.ime we had q glimpse II Anton, oar .
driver, whose anxiety that we should
ONE 70 the wedding was then ex-
, aimed: Invested q hat and coat be wa,
bout in the dance with q Eirl
n a pretty costume, whose full short
,sirt few out ike what our children
ali cheese. her long braid Of far hair
stood ont ike a whip 4ad her chsez1s
we're ike roses under her little sight
ittin< cap Eut as evening came on
We were Obliged II tel our gallant