The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1850-04-26
From the Pacific News, Feb. 10.
MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.

MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.
Last week there occurred at our seat
of Government one Of those interesting
instances Of romance in real life the re
cital of which always meets with ready
attention. aIfowe were informed rightly
the following are the particulars: l...;'
II seems that Miss Virginia Reed,
aud a Mr.. John Murphy were iwo Of the
celebrated Donner party. This party il
wiitbe remembered lost their way while
endeavoring TO reach California in the
year l646.
! Their sufferings were TOO severe FOR
recital. Murphy was bold, noble-hear-
ted mountaineer, and Miss Reed has
subsequently become the belle OF San
Jose. An attachment sprang up between
The parties while on their journey. This
attachment was at frs, encouraged on
the part Of the parents; but Subsequently
was disapproved Of, aud Murphy was
prohibited ,he house. AS is very natu-
raj this procedure only increased the at,
tachmenl, which has been going on
Strengthening for the last three years.
AS the months passed on the impa-
iience ofthe parties TO have the marriage
.consummated increased. Finally, on
Friday Of last week, Murphy met Reed
lin The street, and as gentleman should,
informed Reed Of the determination o.
Miss Reed and himself TO becon,e mar
rled, and requested his full consent.-
Reed responded that he should not give
his consent, and moreover, tha: he would
shoot Murphy if he dared attempt a mar
rage. Murphy responded-"Sir, yon
may shoot me; I shall not shoot you, but
I shall marry your daughtef-l give you
a fair warning" OF course The Reeds
were on the alert.
r On the next evening, Miss Reed got
up 10 60 out Of The house, telling her
mother, en- inquiry, that she was only
going across the street 10 call on Mrs
j, who was at that moment slightly
unwell. Her mother requested her moi
to be gone long, and she promised to
return in afew moments.
On arriving at Mrs. is she in
formed that lady Of her desire TO be mar
red at that time. Murphy was immedi-
ately sent for. But unfortunately no
clergyman could be found who would
perform the ceremony. Time was rap
idly fying. The mother was awaiting
Miss Reeds return, and any delay would
arouse suspicious. Should Reed appear,
twtIa, would oasue, The bride was like
an aspen leaf, for fear that the affair
would,be stopped. Murphy stood armed
cool and courageous A few Of bis
friends, also armed, we're watching
around the house lest Reed should gain
admission before the ceremony could be
performed, The whole affair, at thi:
critical juncture, is described 10 US az
having been most intensely exciting
Finding no other alternative, j! was a,
! last agreed upon that in the absence ol
the proper authorities, the parties should
sole mnize the marriage themselves for.
mally before witnesses, by declaring
each 10 the other, their fixed determine
don to become at that time, and 10 re
/ main forever, man and wife.
4 The interest became thrilling. The
point of time had at last arrived. The
advent Of Reed would have snatched tht
prize they were both just ready and 81
eager to gasp. There was dead ST
Hence. The bridegroom commenced th.
ceremony, promising "to love, honor an'
keep Sill Reed delayed his coming
! The beauty and anxiety Of the BRIDE
the calmness and noble bearing Of tn
desroom-tbe pain Of suspense, al
contributed to heighten the interest Of tn
scene. 5.o @ii' ~
Il The witnesses were brea,bless. TIL
4 bridegroom's low, determined, slowl
and carefully spoken words ceased. Sill
4 Reed delayed his coming.
There was slight pause. The brid,
was agitated. AT last she commenced
Her words were tremblingly and hurried
" enunciated, and she stopped in th'
middle of her part, it was as silent a
death, outside Of the house. Still Ree'
delayed his coming. The bride wa
prompted, resumed, and, at last, the &c
remony was completed. That whicl
they had long and ardently desired,-
that which they had looked forward I
\ with scarce hope of success, was no,
!, consummatcd. They were man an
wife. angtN ~ e3.s Y 2,'4 s'.2ss Ss''
Horses were ready at the door. The
stopped for a few hurried congratnli
tions, mounted and were off 9lsi 2
I Not three minutesiffom that time
Reed heard that the thing was done.-
Horses were procured. and they pushe
off in full chase, not the victors, but III
vanquished. They headed for Murphy
ranch, about eighteen miles distant. Bu
: they found they were out-generaled fror
beginning 10 end. The bird was ne
there. Murphy, instead Of going TO b
|. ranch, drove only three miles cut of ii
J ciiy in an oppositei objection, and thei