Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-09-22
THE cosTER's WEDDING.
How "'Enry 'Awkins and His Liza" Cele-
brats Their Nuptials.

brato Their NupttaIs.
Touring in the eastern districts on
my bicycle last Sunday took me, per-
force, through the regions of White
chapel, where overlook coster's
wedding procession, says a correspon-
dent of the New York Mail and Ex-
press.
A coster's wedding is species OF
social function familiar enough to
those whose lot is cast in the highways
and byways of the east end OF London.
The typical coster is not the sort OF
person to hide his light under bushel
on such occasions. He is careful to see
I that the fact of his nuptials shall be
made known to the biggest possible
/ section of the community at large, con-
sistent with a due regard to 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 func-
ton is expressly designed to create a
maximum amount Of sensation with
minimum regard for the conventional
rules of behavior at such events
Sunday is the usual day fixed for the
ceremony. The motley party assembled
| in the church maintains under the
watchful eye of the person subdued
demeanor as a rule, though cases have
been known when certain recognized
items of the programme, such as
old-slroe throwing, clapping on the
back and universal embracing of the
bride. were taken q little too previous
ly. No greater extravaganza in the
way OF carriages is ever thought or
than the donkey shay, possibly reno
waited and repainted for the occasion
ard reserved for the exclusive use or
bride ard groom. But more often the
presence of conveyance is entirely
dispensed with, and sort OF scratch
procession is organized to the home OF
the brides mother. Here the first
item is feast, followed by carousal
of unlimited dimensions and indefinite
length, to which a large and varied
assortment of friends and relatives are
duly invited. 1t occasionally happens
that a few~turn UP without the for-
mality, of an invitation. Such pro-
ceeding is risky, even in these free
and-ea:sy circles, but should the unbid-
den guest succeed in timing his or her
appearance to the proper psychological
moment, when good wishes and good
beer have worked their meXimum Of
genial effect, probably no serious con-
sequence to the harmony of the gather
ing would result.
All this, however, constitutes the
family side of the affair The public
festivities are usually fixed for the fol-
lowing day. The piece de resistance
the saloon bars of the neighborhood.
The first intfmation given to the
casual pedestrian that anything special
is in progress is usually the emergence
from saloon of a party of gorgeously
attired women and men, all in state
of extreme hilarity, who link arms
promiscuously and commence noisy,
zig-zag march in the direction of the
next saloon. The bride and bridegroom
usually head this motley procession,
with arms around each others waist
and leaning shoulder to shoulder in
the most approved Awkins and
Liza" form. This sort of thing eontin-
ues for the greater part of the day, the
party becoming gradually more and
more demonstratiYe until exhaustion
or the energetic interference of the po-
lice puts an end TO the proceedings.