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N,H,F.W.P.#1801 Julia M. Sample
Chapter 4
FEB 9 1930
publAat:Living Lore
HERE WE CAN BE GLAD
It is Saturday morning, the last of June. A cool breeze is
blowing, the sun is not too bright and many people hope it will not
rain. For this is Katherine's and Jan's wedding day. Early that
morning the old lady, who runs the house, starts preparing Katherine
for this gala and important occasion. Water has been heated on the
wood stove and carried to the bath -room. Everyone in the house
knows that for the next two hours the bath -room is Katherine's. The
old lady scrubs her vigorously. Never having had her back so thor-
oughly washed she mos-sure the skin-amwillid be off. ,Tears come to
her eyes,"Jan,no like, me red, Jan like white, all white." The old
lady assures her, "Be more white by and by, you wait." Her hair is
given the same strenuous treatment. Then the old lady brings forth
a bottle of sweet oil from Poland. This she rubs into Katherine's
young smooth skin. Katherine is glad once more,"Smell good, nice."
Her hair,sweetly clean,lay in shining MUM braids about her head.
Now she is led into the bed -room, UM her clothes are all neatly
arranged on the bed she has shared for so long with another girl. To-
night she will be in another room, to -night she will sleep in another
bed, not with a girl but with Jan. She glances secretly into the
mirror, to see how she likes all -idea. But she forgets the thought
in her surprise. Could this be the young girl so lately come to
America? This is a woman, in white and wearing a wedding veil! This
is what she has made--- this woman. She runs her hands over her
body and smiles. This whiteness she has bought. Her parents so
far away and poor do not help. Katherine pays for the wedding, that
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is the custom. Carefully she has saved, first to pay for the announce-
ment by the priest, then to pay foxithe ceremony. At the thought of
the hall, the music, the food and the drinks, she nods proudly,"Mo
buy everything, make everybody glad, good time." The old lady calls,
"Come it is time!" Quickly gathering her bouquet of flowers she runs
down the stakrs.
The church looks beautiful. It takes one hour and a half to
make Katherine and Jan wife and husband. The ceremony over they leave
for their home, their one room. At the last moment some one steals
Katherine's veil and that is too bad. For now they will have to pay
a forfeit, whatever thetthief/asks, perhaps a keg of beer or a case
of liquor! Jan reassures her and says he will get it back. As they
reach the door of the church she gayly throws her bouquet for the next
bride to catch.
Reaching the house the old lady serves them the traditional
salt, bread and wine. A bit of each, salt for economic prosperity,
bread for the necessities of life and wine for health. They then
breakfast alone,NEKIKK neither one eating much of the meat and bread,
coffee they did manage to swallow.
They must not take too long for everyone will be waiting for them at
the hall and hey still have to change their clothes. Katherine
into a pretty blue dress and Jan into the wait he wears to!church and
organization meetings. Laughing Jan runs her up the stairs into
their room, their new home. He shuts the door, "Take it off" he de-
mands. Katherine wordless but confident removes her whiteness, only
to reveal more whiteness. Jan gloats over her fresh lovliness and
is satisfied to cover her with kisses. Katherine sees he will wait,
he will find enjoyment all day in anticipation.
Entering the hall, they are greeted with,"The bride, the groom."
They have a round of brandy neat and a chaser of beer. Then to the
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tables. There is Polish ham and sausage and pork, Polish bread and
pastries, WU= pickles and beer and liquor, plenty of everything.
All morning and afternoon they eat and drink, sing songs and dance.
First Katherine had to dance wiirTaaReus, her cousin, always her
people first. Then with Jan's people and after that with anyone in-
viting her. Along about mid -afternoon the songs become ribald and
Katherine wonders what story the old lady's man will tell next and
what the old lady herself will do. All the guests are bright-eyed,
very affectionate, few stagger, very few.
Seven is the hour for a respite for the bride and groom. They
again go home and change their clothes. Jan dons once more his wed-
ding suit and Katherine her gown. But first Jan calls to her,"Her,
undo the coat." She willingly complies and there under the coat and
stuffed partway in the sleeve is her veil. "Oh, Jan, my man smart,ver'
smart." Jan is much pleased with himself and her. He again takes
delight in caressing her and Katherine realizes as never before how
strong Jan is. He says what he thought the first time he saw her,
"Plenty room for baby, plenty."
They are back in the hall again. Many of the guests have availed
themselves of the respite too. Most of them look freshened and ready
to carry on. The tables have been replenished, glas;Irestored to
some order. Now Katherine removes her slipper and it is passed among
the guests. Money is placed in the slipper, when filled it is emptied
into her lap. Again and again it is emptied and passed amid much
laughter and many pointed jokes. However she knows this money will
far from cover the expense of the wedding.
Now the dancing begins in earnest. Between they sing and eat and
all the time they drink. It seems impossible they have been doing this
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since early morning. At one A.M. the party breaks. At last Katherine
and Jan are free. Free to go to their room, free to enjoy each other.
Even KatherineWfine vitality is diminished and she throws her -tired
body on the bed. All day long they have waited for this. Katherine
looks at Jan and sees him striding towards her. She is glad! Willingly
she gives herself to him, even as she has promised this morning in
church. She smiles, "Yesterday, not to -day."