Show SHOE TOKEN OF subjection ancient significance of custom which la Is now looked upon as merely a joke As specially applied to weddings there Is a suspicion that the throwing of old shoos shoes or new slippers for or all thill that had at first a significance which would surely bo be most objectionable to twentieth century brides it seems to have been n token of the ho complete subjection of the bride to her lord and master in ih the east a shoo or a slipper was waa publicly borne at the head of the bridal procession lu in indication of the brides subjection find and at boine jewish weddings the bridegroom used to strike the bride a blow with hla his shoe as a sign that she was thereafter to be submissive to his will among the Nest orlane it was the custom for the bridegroom to kick the bride and for her to remove from his toot foot the shoe with which he had kicked her to this day there Is a n common custom in russia for the bridegroom on his wedding night to require the bride to pull off his boots in one of them to Is a whip and in the other a gift if she pulls oft off first the one contal lillig the whip she gets a stroke from ti tho 0 lash and la to fol expect tiler hereafter but it if the gift Is first diio disclosed a d her married life will be happy it is related of alantin mm tin luther that otice after performing the wedding ceremony tor for a couple he took oft off tha bridegrooms bride grooms shoe and placed it upon the brides pillow as a sign that she sha should la in all things and at all times be subservient to her husband |