Evening journal., 1897-12-02
AuMoRs OF FReMcH WEDDINGS
Queer Features OF the Festival
Among the Less Fashionable.

queer Features OF the Festival
Among she Less Fashionable.
Among the less fashionable classes in
Paris marriage festivities are con-
Quoted very much in accordance with q
fixed rule. After the usual and neces-
sary ceremony the wedding party be-
takes itself to some restaurant, often in
the suburbs, where a deieuner has been
ordered, and, when ample justice has
been done to the repast, long drive,
varied with frequent stoppages atrural
cafes, is enjoyed, the programme ter
minating with a good dinner and
dance at some other place of refresh
ment Thursdays and Saturdays are
generally selected for the tying Of the
nuptial knot and the concomitant di-
versions, and it is particularly on the
last afternoon of the week that crowds
of char-a-bancs are to be seen threading
their way through leafy avenues TO
st. Cloud and other popular suburban
resorts, filed with gay parties, which
cause the air to resound with songs and
iests. Not seldom, indeed, is a dance
and the space in front of some cafes in
the neighborhood of Paris is paved with
asphalt for the express purpose of al
lowing the votaries of Terpsichore to
disport themselves to their hearts con-
tent while a halt has been made for re-
freshment, and also for welcome rest
to the weary steeds. 1t is no uncommon
D. a.. l., l, 60. tr tfa
height, a dozen brides and bridegrooms,
each with their troop of lively guests,
bobbing up and down TO gay polka
tune or sliding along in the may waltz.
AS a rule the utmost good humor pre-
walls, but now and then the harmony is
disturbed by some unluclIy incident, as,
for instance, a sudden and ineXplicable
outburst of jealousy on the part of the
bridegroom, who resents the little at
tentions which the male guests deem /.
de rigueur to offer TO the heroine of the
day. Only recently every halt made by
a brake'conveying a wedding party was
the signal for the happy man who had
just appeared before IN. lie Marie" with
a bewitching creature at his side to en-
while close friend whom he ac-
cused of having cast too admir-
ing glances in the direction OF
the lady. Thus there was a suggestion
of exciting pugiAstlc encounters, in
spite of the desperate efforts of the com
pany TO restore peace. and the war only
ended when the bride. having valiantly
/ Il 90. tt.N
in for a storm Of blows from her irate
lord and master, and was conducted
back TO the security of the parental
roof by her indignant mother.
But the latest peculiar adventure has
been that of a lively bridegroom. who,
having treated his relatives and friends
to the wonted banquet of his wedding
day, candidly confessed when the bin
was presented that he had not a sou in
the world TO pay for it. Here was an
awkward predicament. The sum
| amounted to 125 francs, and what was
TO be done? The guests very politely
put 40 francs into plate which was
handed around, but, naturally enough
the landlord was not satisfied. and h,
had the entire @nocc," bride. bride
groom, relatives and friends, marched
of amid a gaping and jeering crowd, &c
the Office of the local police commissary
where an exciting scene ensued be-
tween the father of the young woman
and his son-in-law. At last the matter
was settled by the father-in-law Of tn,
thoughtless and impecunious bride
groom consenting to pay the remainder
of the bill, but he declined to give any
thing to the walters, deeming the sacri
flee which he was making heavy enough
already. Here is poor beginning to
married life; yet, in point Of fact, all tn,
available ready cash is often squan
dered on the nuptial festivities, and t,
the gayety Of the wedding succeeds tn,
stern reality of the morrow.-LondoI
Telegraph