Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1887 — German Marriages. [ARTICLE]

German Marriages.

German gentlemen, as a rule, I find, do not care much for beauty in their wives, unless accompanied by some enduring qualities that shall fit them to be helpmeets indeed. The very greatest caution is displayed by the Teuton in choosing a partner for life. Before committing himself too far with a young lady the gentleman will first ask her father’s consent to visit at his house, that he may judge from the young lady’s conduct toward her parents, and brothers, and sisters, and servants, if she will make him a good wife. He must also see that she is capable of cooking, ironing, dressmaking, and other little accomplishments. Should she come through the ordeal unscathed the pair engage themselves by exchanging rings, and the bride at once begins to make her wedding trousseau —no trifling affair, as it is incumbent upon her to provide not only her own wardrobe, but all the household linen, furniture, and kitchen utensils. The marriage is an occasion for great rejoicings, and extends over several days, during which much tobacco is smoked by the males and much chatter indulged in by the females between the hours of feasting. Stolid though they be, all German husbands do not appear to be great successes; yet the wives are evidently sweet, forbearing ereatures, as the following verses from the German will show: Oh, I have a man as good as can be, No woman could wish for a better than he ; Sometimes, indeed, he may chance to do wrong But his love for me is uncommonly strong. ' When soaked with rum ho is hardly polite, But knocks the crockery left and right • Aud pulls my hair, and growls again • ’ But, excepting that, he's the best of men. All I can say is, if the foregoing represents the average of German women, they are easily satisfied. What a treasure such a wife would prove, what an inestimable boon, to a Lancashire miner, or to a Yorkshire cotton-spinner.