A Socialist Wedding

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5968, 10 August 1912, Page 1

A Socialist Wedding

A. grandson of the pout Kongie.Uow wiis married in Massachusetts n fewweeks jigo under unusual cor.ditions. Mr Kdmund Trowbridge Dun,, and his bride, an Eng.ish girl, were both Socialists and they had compiled a marriage service of their own. The ceremony took place in an arbour near the old Longfellow homestead, and there was none of the usual adjuncts in tho way of bridesmaids, best man, or orange blossom. The young couple objected to the usual marriage service on the ground that it did not recognise the cqualitv of the eexes a nd they had procured b justice (f the pence to tase tie place of the customary minister. His instructions were handed to him on » printed slip. Thei r > bridegroom gave the bride a gold ring and >\\ handed him a silvcj; one of generous proportions. "Do you wish to mnrry this woman '!" asked the justice. " Yes," said the bridegroom. '' Do you wish to marry this man '!" a s k<d the representative of the law of the brid». The reply was a second "Yes." Then the justice invited the contracting parlies to " express their minds to each other.'' "I, Kdmund >Trowbridge Duna," said the bridegroom, wish to live with you, Jessie Holiday, as my lawful wife and hope «o to live that you will never regret the choice, as a symbol of which 1 gi\, you this ring.'' The bride made lt similar statement, promising to be " a true comrade and helpmeet." and the justice then pronounced the young couple to be man and wife, in nrlordance with powers possessed bv him under the State laws. The ceremony occupied only a few minutes and the guests stood around in an informal way. ! As soon ns it was over, Ifrs Buna explained in a little speech that she had wanted to avoid all j conventionalities and have a wedd'ng ''■dilVeront. from that of all other girls." She was sure, she said. that, evn-ylhiiig had been managed beautifully. Tho husband Idid not s a v whether or not he promised to remain ornamented with a large silver ring.