Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1897 — THE FIRST SILVER WEDDING. [ARTICLE]

THE FIRST SILVER WEDDING.

How the Custom Originated in France Nearly a Thousand Years Ago. The fashion of silver weddings dates back to the reign of Hugues Capet, King of France in 987. Once as Hugues was arranging Ms uncle’s affairs he found on one of the estates a servant who had grown gray in the service of his relative. He had been such a friend of his master’s that he was almost looked upon as one of the family. On the farm with this old man was also a serving woman who was as old as he, and also unmarried, and who had been the most devoted and hardworking of the women servants of the King’s uncle. When the King heard these praises of the two, he ordered them to be brought before him, and said to the woman: “Your service Is greaifr greater than this man’s, whose services were great enough, for the woman always finds work and obedience harder than a man, and therefore I will give you a reward. At your age I know of none better than a dowry and a husband. The dowry Is here—this farm from this time forth belongs to you. If this man who has worked with you flve-and-twenty years is willing to marry you, then the husband Is ready.” “Your majesty,” stuttered the old peasant, confusedly, “how Is It possible that we should marry, having already silver hairs?” “Then it shall be a silver wedding,” answered the King, “and here I give you a wedding ring,” drawing a costly ring from his finger, and placing tlm hands of the thankful old people together. This soon became known all over France, and raised such enthusiasm that It became a fashion after a twen-ty-five years' marriage to celebrate a sliver wedding.