The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-09
MOCK MARRIAGES.
Two Hundred Were Performed at a
Swiss Ball.
People OF College Point Excited-D De-
nunciation From Pulpit Expected.

College Point, l.. l., March 9.-The
marriages" performed and the
divorces" granted at the ball Of the
Alpen Rosli Society in Ruhr's Hall last
Saturday night have caused disagreeable
sensation i'm this village. Although the
clergy are at present silent, Ii is expected
that tho mock ceremonies will come in
for pulpit hot shot at next Sundays SER
vices.
The Alpen Rosli Society Is composed OF
Swiss residents, and Is akin TO the German
saengerbunds. The society had previously
held many concerts but this was its first
ball. The peasant costumes OF the old
country were revived. The ball opened
with parade around the hail. and then
the band seated itself in the rear of the
stage.
There were few seconds Of silence,
followed by general litter from the five
hundred present. The band was playing
the Mendelssohn wedding march, and n
stout, smooth shaven man in costume
exactly similar TO those worn by Roman
Catholic clergymen, beretta, surplice,
cassock and all, took up position in the
centre of the stage, folded his bands across
his generous paunch and smiled benign
antly. This man was John Gsell, specially
chosen to act the part because Of his
priestly bearing.
Mrs. Ley, wife Of saloon keeper, was
then led forward, blushing and smiling,
by an old man. Joseph Studer president
OF the society, advanced and Joined hands
with Mrs. Ley before the mock priest.
Gsell then lifted his hands and i'm solemn
tone pronounced sore jargon that sounded
like Latin. Then, in Swiss dialect, no
pronounced the couple "Man and wife, "
after brass ring had been slipped on the
third finger of Mrs. Ley's hand above her
real marriage ring by Studer. Next the
Good Father" made out "a marriage GER
tiflcate and handed 1t To the couple.
The certificates were specially prepared
for the occasion and bore a resemblance TO
the genuine documents. In a border of
scroll work are printed the words,
"Hupplcr schein." Then followed blanks
for the names of the contracting parties,
and after that the declaration that they
are married and must obey.
At the conclusion of the ceremony Mrs
Ley kissed MIR. Studer, and then prepara-
tions We're commenced for many mar
riages. Father Gsell" was Joined by the
Rev. Ernest Ansorge, the latter thin and
pale, wearing black clothing with vest
buttoning close TO the throat and a small
white lawn tie. He looked like Protes.
tent minister. For ten cents one was
married by either Clergyman, the
woman receiving brass ring on her
wedding" finger, and the groom "a duly
signed certificate
AT the opposite end OF the hall was
established the divorce court" Here "a
little mnn, attired in wig and gown,
presided. He was Herr Thomas Bottles,
and for the sum Of five cents parted those
who couldn't agree.
In all there were two hundred marriages
performed, and these with all the solcin-
nifty OF church weddings. In every case the
mock clergyman concluded by declaring
the couple man and wife.
A of ha l,.,l or
resemble "A Jail. Here men and women
were placed until admirers bailed them
out and took them before priest or minis
ter.
The members of the Alpen Rosli Society
regard the affair as funny but the villa
gers feel that the marriages" too closely
resembled the church's sacred ceremony
to be regarded humorously.