A NOVEL WEDDING RING.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 9, Issue 78, 30 September 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

A NOVEL WEDDING RING.

When touring in Wales ono summer, not long ago, I stayed awhile (writes a travelling correspondent) at a littl> inn in an outlying part of the principality. Tbe church was old and interesting, and I went to inspect it. Finding the door open, I entered, and learnt from the old woman church-keeper that a wedding-party from the neighbourii g village was soon expected. Wishing to see a Welsh country wedding, 1 remained for the service. All seemed to go well until the clergyman asked for the ring, and then it was found that the bridegroom had made no provision whatever ; indeed, it was evident that be bad never thought of it. The clergyman showed no surprise at what appeared to me to be an extraordinary omission, but sent the old woman for the church-door key, and the bridegroom placed the ring which served for the key-handle over the finger of the bride and so she was wed. My curiosity was aroused in regard to what I had seen, and I soon ascertained that wedding-rings were quite exceptional among the poorer people in that neighbourhood. One ring, a silver one,had done duty in a largo number of instances, and when this ring could not be obtained from its fortunate possessor, the ring of the chuirch-door key was the makeshift, as in the marriage I had witnessed.