AN UNFASHIONABLE WEDDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16359, 23 February 1921, Page 9

AN UNFASHIONABLE WEDDING.

Recently I witnessed— r ßS one of the unimportant spectators—a village wedding, and 3 i.ive come to the conclusion that no similar ceremony at the Chapel Royal could be half so charming and delightful.

Of course, wo had been prepared for the great day for weeks, and as weddings have -mot been common here of late, I suppose we. shall think of, and talk about, this one for quite a long time to come.

u Tho morning being fine, l was pottering about in the garden, and happened to be near tlio gate when Smith (that is a safe name, 1 hope)—the tall, bulkily built and heavily moustached bride-groom-to-be— oatnc along and gax r e me a, good-dav. I noticed his shining boots and his carefully creased dark trousers, and the white “ dicky ” which seemed to give so much trouble to his neck.

AVoJIP” I said, affecting a lightness not, perhaps, quite proper to the occasion. “It’s a grand day for tlho wedding, Smith.” '

lie grinned. Then, as he cocked an eye at the sky. lie scratched his chin and shook fits head dubiously: “ H he foine enough just.' now,” he admitted, “ but I xvouldn't say bub what it’d blow up a bit latei. M I hope there was nothing of double meaning in his gloomy prophecy. But, in any case, tho day kept fine and iDo wedding, came off with entire success. AVlmt a running to and fro between the cottages there xvns : how shiny wore the faces o 1 the children : how prim and correct the dresses of the maids and matrons; how twinkling the eyes ol the village ancients when the word went round that there had arrived at Smith’s cottage a whole barrel of beer —to say nothing of cider in bottles and a special flagon of port ser>t along by some well-wisher

And then, the thrill that passed tlirough us all as the cab drove up nth the bride—a cab to which white ribbons xvero tied, and behind which half a dozen uninvited youngsters trotted along, sure that for once there would be no outcry of “ Whip behind.” The ceremony itself was simple, dignified and charming, but perhaps those of us who had no actual part In it became most content when later wo gathered in Smith’s cottage. T wish I could recite you the speeches that, xvero made ; wish I could make you see tho faces of the hearers; could repeat tlie jokes that flow hero and there ; and could describe adequately the great Joy that held everyone, and which increased as Iho beer barrel enfptied. Smith and his bride, were, cheered uproariously off to a neighbouring town somewhere about live o’clock. But did tfio jollity cease then? On the contrary, that seemed to be the real start-ing-point. Back we went to tlio cottage ; hack to »l long evening of songs, and stories, find hearty good-fellowship, which came to an end at last when the oldest inhabitant bold ns et his marriage day, and was brought up sharply bv his pippin-faced, wife, who said: “ You be an old fool. George. That be you.” Anyl*f.r. I am all for village weddings. f wish that it were possible to have ? one here at least once a week! Bv Harold Thomson in tlie “ Daily Mail.”