Many and varied were the tricks played on the fortunate lover by the gallants who had vied with him for the favor of the maid.

Brave, indeed, he who won her.
If he marched up to her home in the early evening he was made the object of innumerable jests, even the young lady's family indulging in and enjoying the banter.

Later, when he come out of the door, it was more than likely that, if it were winter, he would be met by a volley of water soaked snowballs, or big buckets of icewater, or a mountain of snow shoved off the roof by some trickster, who had waited patiently for such an opportunity.

On summer nights his horse would be stolen, led far into the woods and tied, or the wheels of his wagon would be taken off and hidden, leaving him to walk home.
Usually the successful lover, and especially if he lived at a distance, would make his way only once a week and then late at night to the home of his betrothed.

Silently, like a thief in the dark, he would crawl through the grass and shrubs until beneath her window.
At a low signal, prearranged between them, she would slip to the door and let him in without disturbing the parents.