The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-14

IL picturesque Ahoss, with . aood Of beautiful
light. while the tops Of The trees were bathed In
golden glory. Rain had fallen the night before,
and the foliage was all covered with drops that
skimmered in the sun, and fell to the earth with
that soft melody that follows the raining OF
water from the leaves after shower 1t was a
season of pleasant expectation to all of us--such
fun and frolicking We were actually mad
with morriment. The party arrived at Harper's
Ferry at about 8 o'clock, where we found Major
TocHMAN, the bridegroom elect, awaiting as.
The Catholic Church at this place, where the
ceremony was performed, 10 perehed, like u
watch-tower, on the summit Of one of those
lofty mountains which lend charm to this ro-
mantle region. Though more limited in It's di-
mensous, and less rich in its decorations, than
the Catholic churches in our cities, it neverthe-
less pleased usinfnitely better There is an air
of simplicity about the whole of its interior, far
more attractive than the splendors of the latter.
| AT nine o'clock we left the hotel and took
our way up the stone steps leading to the chapel,
and there, amid the thrilling solemnities Of high
mass, with assembled spectators standing by,
those two high-hearted exilea were married
The pews and aisles were tbronged. On one
hand, close by the altar, with eyes brilliant and
clear as eagles. stood she bridegroom, in suit
of black, which impaired to his person that
quiet, gentlemanly air least calculated Ia attract
observation. He presented ia his stately figure
and noble features almost every external perfec-
ton OF mature manhood indeed, his whole
tone, in look and demeanor, was that of moral
and intellectual elevation.
AT the foot of the altar, on a broad step COW
cred with crimson damask, they knelt down.
How beautiful and brde-like she looked in her
dress of cream-colored satin, as it swept the
dark floor like snow-drift crusted with broken
ice. Acloud of transparent lace fell around her,
shedding softness over the clear, dark COM
plexion of her cline. There was no revealing
blush upon her cheek her feelings were all too
strong and deep for that: but her large dark
eyes were yelled beneath the shrouding lashes.
1t is, indeed, impossible to conceive of being
more lovely than she appeared in the modest
diffidence of her eek, on the most important and
conspicuous occasion Of a woman's life, and
yet wtha losing nothing of that strength of
mind which, SO far from being, az many errone-
ously imagine, a masculine or unwOmanly trait
is, on the contrary, the browning mark of char
ac'er essentially feminine.
gush of music burst through the building
rolling to the roof and through the windows till
it came like reverberated melody around the
happy pair, while they knelt with linked hands
upon the lower step of the altar. A few muir
INJURED words which thrilled beneath the bridal
veil like melody in n summer cloud--a benedc-
tion--and the united exiles stood up. For the
first time the bride raised her eyes, and the
color now glowed through her veil as if rose
had been hidden in its folds, while happy smile
broke over her face she turned calmly to re-
ceive the congratulations Of those who crowded
round.
Their lives have been of extraordinary vicis-
oitndao Roth yyara ayilad from, thar notiva
country by the tyranny Of its oppressors he, in
the earlier era of mature manhood, and she, in
the flush of early womanhood But the mea-
sure of her influence is now filled by the strong
affection of one of the bravest patriots that ever
unsheathed his sword in the cause of bleeding
Poland, and she may well dream Of enduring
happiness.
| Passing from the church, we paused upon the
summit of the mountain to feast our eyes upon
view as romantic as the most poetic lover of
nature could desire. Far as the eye could
reach stretched mountains--the most distant
fading into misty and mellowed outline, while
the windings of the river could be followed by
the eye to great distance, cleaning from it:
fringe of woods, on bordering cultivated fields
/ The sylvan beauty Of the place-its solitude
its quiet-was in keeping with the scene we hac
just witnessed. So deep was the stiffness tina
it appeared as if Echo herself was standing in q
recess listening.
After partaking of refreshment at Harper's
Ferry, we returned in carriages to Shannondale
At Charlestown small village FIVE miles dis
tant, a most graceful surprise awaited us in the
orm of an elegantly prepared collation. rendered
by Miss c., an interesting young lady OF
that place, rs a compliment to the bride. We
reached the Springs in time for dinner, and 9
brilliant ball closed the festivities of the day
the bride and her attendants appearing in then
bridal robes.
And thus, dear reader, the gala day was
passed, and our household has once more re.
turned to the daily routine of quiet enjoyment
Major Tochman and lady will remain some
time at Shannondae, after which trip to the
North is contemplated.