KISSING THE BRIDGE.

Evening Star, Issue 4123, 15 May 1876, Page 4

KISSING THE BRIDGE.

The custom 0 f kissing the bride at a wedding is c f g rea t antiquity, and while among t mos t re g nec i classes it has many people with great rigor. A , very amusing story is told of a Kentucky backwoodsman who had, after- a , long and ardent courtship of the belleof one of the Kentucky cities, won her for a bride. She-had for a long timewavered in her choice, undecidedwhether to take him or a gentleman of wealth and position im thecity, but finally choosing the humbler lot in obedience to her heart. The .wedding was celebrated in great style, and the. manly groom was almost as much admired for his colossal proportions and athletic symmetry us was the bride for her exceeding loveliness. Among the guests was the unsuccessful

suitor, who was well aware of the jealousy with which the groom had regarded him, but who had overcome his chagrin at his failure, and was sincerely anxious to congra-1 tulate the bride. One by one the guests offered their good wishes and their hearty kisses, while the groom looked on with approval and delight. At length among the rest, came the rejected lover. The youngs groom watched him keenly, but without the least animosity in his. expression. The unfortunate rival felt the delicacy of his position, and not caring to provoke the husband’s ire, he did not pi’ofier the salute which was customary. As he was giving place to others after wishing the newly-married pair well, the groom gi’asped his arm with his iron fingers, and in a low tone said —“ She’s my ; wife now, and I propose to see that she is treated as well as my wife should be treated. If you don’t kiss her i’ll break every bone in your body.” Kather than quarrel the yentleraan kissed the not unwilJiu<r bride, and the groom was satisfied.