The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1916-07-14

WATERFALL
their forefathers. Several Of these
guilds still meet in their respective
clubhouse, others have their reunions
in various inns or hotels, but all are
anxious to participate in a dignified
manner in the afternoon Sechselaeuten
parade.
The first stroke Of six is the signal
for BOogg's execution. He is set on
fire and while he is eXpiating his
wrOngdoingS other bOntireS flare up on
the surrounding mountain heights and
fireworks are sent off from the numer-
Gus boats now gayly circling around
on the lovely lake. Winter has passed
and the arrival Of spring is celebrated
far into the stiffness Of the night.
In the mountain regions the start of
the cattle to the summer pastures, the
So-called AlpaufZug, has been making
particular feature Of this day which
means 50 much to the herdsmen and
their families and on which occasion
the cattle even seem to realize the i'm
portant change which is about to glad
den their lives.
The king of the Alpine procession, a
handsome, powerful bull, marches in
front. He is decorated with beautiful
garlands of flowers and with the airs
of monarch he carries the One-legged
milking stool, which is also wreathed
with spring blossoms. In a long row
| the cows now follow their leader, all
we'll kept and scrupulously clean and
every one embellished with flowers
and q merry tinkling cOwbell. At their
sides walk their keepers in Sunday at
tire, now and then fondly eying their
bovine proteges.
Following the procession of cattle
comes parade of carriages and We
hicles Of varied description, contain
ing the womanfolk and children OF
the herdsmen, also articles of furni-
ture and dairying utensils piled high.
This is the departure for the Alps, q
most characteristic and picturesque
sight in the mountain regions.
Ancient Ways Of Wooing.
A very Anticipated custom Of noe
turnal wooing, which is, however, grad
ually dying out, is the Kiltgang. In
many districts Of the canton of Berne
the younger set of the male inhabitants
forms kind Of vigilance committee to
prevent the well-to-dO girls from be-
ing carried off by outsiders. The low
ers in the village who are of this SET
are permitted to pay their visits and
climb to the windows Of the fair ones
undisturbed, while strenuous OppOsi
ton is given to strangers who venture
to intsude.
Closely connected with the Kiltgant
Is the so-called Maienstecken of thu
canton Of Lucerne. A lover, anxiOu:
to please his dearest, plants in from
!, of her window small pine tree, gayl!
adorned with ribbons. This Is sup
posed to be the expression Of utmos
. devotion and generally finds it's reward
| it a generous entertainment at thu
hands of both the parents and the girl
| Another method Of wOoing-in tn
flower language-still exists in remot
{ villages Of the canton Of GlaruS. II
7 this case the young man places flow
er pot containing single rose and
: note on the window sill of the girl
: room when she is absent from home
He then has to patiently wait for a re
:, ply.
: If the maid takes the rose, the youn
S man boldly enters the house to al
J range matters with her parents, but
The rose is allowed to fade away tn
, proposal IS rejected without wor
A having been exchanged between tn
e couple.
: There is not single part of Switzel
land that has not some peculiar usag
), Of its own. To the casual OnlOOke
= they may appear ridiculous at first, bu
e on closer examination Of such OLE
d time traditions we frequently discove
e that their origin Is actually cOnnecte
e with historic events, and what ma
d have struck US as somewhat queer
e at first is explained by the fact tha
G the majority of these ancient custom
t was born in a period when the worl
e did not radiate the enlightenment {
= our modern days.