Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1898-09-03
THE cosTER's WEDDING.
How a'Enry 'AwkIns aud m. Liza csis-
brais Their Nnptiaia


brais Their Naptiai.
Touring IN tho eastern dis.ricts on
my bicycle last Sunday took me. per-
force. through the regions Of White
chapel. where I overlook coster's
wedding procession. sSys a correspon-
dent OF the New York Mail and Ex-
press.
A eoster's wedding r. a species %
social function familiar enough 10
those whose lot Is cast Ia the Highways
and byways OF the east end Of London.
The typical coster Is not the sort OF a
person to hide his light under bushel
on such occasions. lie Is careful 20 sec
that the fact Of his nuptials shall be
made known TO the biggest possible
section OF the community az large. con-
sistent with a due regard % the laws
OF economy. To do him justice. his
Efforts. ably seconded as they are by
the feminine contingent. usually result
In striking success. The whole fune-
ton Is expressly designed 10 create
maximum amount OF sensation with a
minimum regard for the conventional
rules OF behavior az such events.
Sunday Is the usual day fixed for the
ceremony. The motley party assembled
In the church maintains under the
watchfu eye Of the person a subdued
demeanor as a rule. though cases have
been known when certain recognized
Items Of the programme. such "a
old-shoe throwing. elapping on the
back and universal embracing OF the
bride. were taken a little too previous
~. No greater extravaganza In the
way Of carriages Il ever thought Of
than the donkey shay" possibly reno
waited and repainted for the occasion
and reserved for the exclusive use of
bride and groom. But more often the
presence OF a conveyance Is entirely
dispensed with. and sort Of scratch
procession Is organized 10 the home Of
the brides mother. Here the FIRST
Item Is feast. followed by a carousal
OF unlimited dimensions and Indefinite
length. 10 which a large aud varied
assortment Of friends and relatives are
duly Invited. II occasionally happens
that a few turn Mp without the for
mality Of an invitation. Such a pro-
ceeding Is risky. even IN these free
and-elsy circles. but should the unbld-
den guest succeed In timing his or her
appearance 90 the proper psychological
moment. when good wishes and good
beer have worked their meximum OF
genial effect. probably no serious con-
sequence 10 the harmony Of the gather
Ing would result
an this. however. constitutes the
family side Of the affair The public
festivities are usually fixed for the FOL.
lowing day The piece de resistance
consists almost Invariably Of tour OF |
the saloon bars % the nelghborhood.
The FIRST inumaAion given to the !
casual pedestrian that anything special |
Is 10 progress is usually the emergence
from a saloon Of party Of gorgeously |
litired women and men. all In a state |
u extreme hIlarity. who link arms
promiscuously and commence noisy,
rlg-zag march In tie direction OF the |
next saloon. The bride and bridegroom
usually head this motley procession.
with arms around each others waist
and leaning shoulder 20 shoulder in
The most approved "Awkins and
Liza" form. This sort Of thing contln-
ies FOR the greater part Of the day. the
party becoming gradually more and
more demOnstratiye until exhaustion
Dr. the energetic Interference OF the p0-
lice puts an end to the proceedings.