New-York tribune., 1901-06-30
EAST SIDE WEDDINGS.
THE CURIOUS ETIQUETTE THAT PRE-
Walls IN THAT QUARTER
OF THE CITY.

taken. The outward and visible signs of her
power may be. to the casual observer, less
noticeable than in Fifth-ave., but she is there
and her power is in certain particulars. all su-
rreme The desire to outshine the neighbors
nrose doubtless the very day when cave
lweller killing an ostrich, tore out the tail
feathers to brush away the flies and found that
his wife appropriated them for her hair. The
more neighbors one has the more, would
think should be the social rivalry; ergo, there
being a score OF times more neighbors on the
East Size than in any other equal space in the
city. this form of aspiration should be found
,here in a high degree. Perhaps the reasoning
does not hold good: but the code of etiquette is
none the less
The field of activity is rather restricted on the
East Side. Social entertainments are not many
Balls are affairs of tickets and each man pays
his own way and that of his lady" The one
occasion which the ambition of the arlsto-
cratically inclined may manifest itself is that of
a wedding. Mrs. Grundy has woven around this
ceremony all the red tape she expends on ''func-
tions'' in a different sphere \ wedding must be
large. There must be abundance of food and
drink and plenty of carriages and to secure
these advantages many families are VIKING 10
sacrifice the savings scraped together for years
Put before the ceremony comes the question oi
the suitability of the bride and bridegroom, and
this point or at least the latter part of 1t, is OF
the greatest importance. The choice OF the son
OF the family may be poor and Of inferior CON
ncctions. and there will be nothing worse than
disappointment; out should the daughter look
heneath her there storms and entreaties
and even curses.
So great is the desire for sons-in law above
the rank of the family that extraordinary meas
taken TO secure a desirable specimen
The son-in-law for whom the soul of every East
Slider pines is professional mana doctor pref
erably. Now. there not many physicians
Il be had. and there is only sight chance that
of the number Will look kindly on any given
girl the affair cannot Ice left 10 chance. An
ambitious youth is caught young" his fancy
fired with pictures OF social and professional
glory. financial help is promised him. and then
like a pill in Jelly is tucked the condition
marry my daughter afto-ward." This practice
is common that there has arisen a saying
used when any girl marries Il physician, Her
father bought a doctor for her" The young men
do not seem TO object. Ind Cd, the Of
seventeen the prospect OF marriage is little
worthy Of consideration TO a boy. and II repent
comes after. he manages TO keep it 10 him
sci; ana to live up to the bargain.
The Of one young man. recently married.
Wiz serve to illustrate the practice. At the age
Of eighteen the father OF "A girl year or two rs
Eenior made contract with him. the L.
promising mediC education, and the otl
SIDE marriage and social elevation. The boy
agreed, went through tn MEDICAL school. and
duly announced his engagement. The girls
father furnished his office and iv & rooms. ---
inI the rent and promiGng support until the
yoUng mans practice should pay. Then, in orL-r
10 call general attention to the value OF their
purchase the family invited about two hundred
guests to a large hall paying 81 30 each FOR sup
per. The cost of this o. ay WI tie probably
every dollar of their savings. but they do
consider II extravaganza. They have p;--'
their daughter "A rung higher up the social lad
der; they shine with reflected glory. HenCcforth
their conversation will be peppered and sal 7
with my son-in-law. Dr So-and-so' anH .',-y
son-n-law-hes doctor you know" while
should he Toe present when the neighbora J.
his title will be hurled their heads least
minute.
Still more extraordinary is the case of a gil
doinc the purchasing OF a doctc- quite without
assistance. Some ambitious maidens have ne
GCtiated the whole affair alone. o..ac-
their parents lacking in social ambition or fail
ing parents altogether. These cases are kept
qret, naturally. hut +he neigh rs usually f ID
out and spread the news that such a one lis
buying doctor"
are not well to do. large wedG is r. the