should remember
that the incidental and unavoidable expense of such a "gift" is sometimes
greater than the cost of railway tickets.

=BUYING THE WEDDING RING=

It is quite usual for the bride to go with the groom when he buys the
wedding ring, the reason being that as it stays for life on her finger,
she should be allowed to choose the width and weight she likes and the
size she finds comfortable.

=THE GROOM'S PRESENT TO THE BRIDE=

He is a very exceptional and enviable man who is financially able to take
his fiancee to the jeweler's and let her choose what she fancies. Usually
the groom buys the handsomest ornament he can afford--a string of pearls
if he has great wealth, or a diamond pendant, brooch or bracelet, or
perhaps only the simplest bangle or charm--but whether it is of great or
little worth, it must be something for her personal adornment.

=FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE GROOM=

Gifts must be provided for his best man and ushers, as well as their ties,
gloves and boutonnieres, a bouquet for his bride, and the fee for the
clergyman, which may be a ten dollar gold piece or one or two new one
hundred dollar bills, according to his wealth and the importance of the
wedding. Whatever the amount, it is enclosed in an envelope and taken in
charge by the best man who hands it to the clergyman in his vestry-room
immediately after the ceremony.

CHAPTER XXII

THE DAY OF THE WEDDING

No one is busier than the best man on the day of the wedding. His official
position is a cross between trained nurse, valet, general manager and
keeper.

Bright and early in the morning he hurries to the house of the groom,
generally before the latter is up. Very likely they breakfast together; in
any event, he takes the groom in charge precisely as might a guardian. He
takes note of his patient's general condition; if he is normal and "fit,"
so much the better. If he is "up in the air" or "nervous" the best man
must bring him to earth and jolly him along as best he can.

=BEST MAN AS EXPRESSMAN=

His first actual duty is that of packer and expressman; he must see that
everything necessary for the journey is packed, and that the groom does
not absent-mindedly put the furnishings of his room in his valise and
leave his belongings hanging in the closet. He must see that the clothes
the groom is to "wear away" are put into a special bag to be taken to the
house of the bride (where he, as well as she, must change fro