The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-27
From the burlington IiaWkVyV'
EARLY TIMES IN INDIANA.


in on us yesterday morning and commenced
talking away inhis usual quiet, chatty, and pc
culiar manner
I'm sick and tired of this artificial way of
doing things in these latter days"
why so, MAJOR"
There is an eternal sight too much parade
about everything that is going on
IL was at a wedding last night the daugh-
ter of an old and much-esteemed friend was to
be married, and was so urgently invited, that
| | couldn't help going there was 80 much fuss
and parade that was perfectly disguised.
couldn't help comparing the proceedings where
| a couple was married in Lawrenceburg many
wears ago. when Indiana formed part of the
great Northwestern Territory. At that time
the settlements of the emigrants were mostly
confined to the rich bottom lands of the water
courses Lawrenceburg was a small village
of few log cabins. My father was acting
magistrate for the district and very promptly
attended to all the various duties of that Office,
in addition to which he was in the habit of do
ing good deal of manual labor on his own
hook
THAT was when you wasn't big enough to
do much. major"
Exactly, | was tow-headed brat of some
CfSffo ~
.:.s. =, re;.5., J..,a.rss5 ' ,s,s. S;;il,er Az
the ~ - r. s.. i.>-S
day. You see it was about dinner time one
day in the fall of the year, when the old man,
being engaged in laying in supply of wood
for the winter, drove up his OK team with
pretty solid load of fuel
just then II young and unsophisticated couple
entered the village, hand in hand inquired for
a. ,,,I J,,1, 10 tbab
The youth was barefooted and wore q coarse
but clean tow linen shirt and pants, and rough
straw hat of home manufacture His fair COM
panion was dressed in blue cotton frock, pink
cotton apron, fine bonnet, and coarse brOgan
shoes without stockings.
These were their wedding dresses, and their
severe simplicity and the thorough independ-
ence they manifested made an impression
upon my mind that will never be effaced
1--WE come to get married" said the young
man to the old lady, my mother, who was prop
erly busy among the pots and kettles"
That's very good business" said she, smi-
ling gracously, though you appear to look
very young; but there's the Squire, just drove
up he'll splice you in less than no tmen Scout
she bolted, to give the fortunate functionary
due notice of the business in hand
81 can't stop till unload this wood said
the old man; tell them to come out here"
Out they came.
The old man was on top of the cart and
every time he threw off stick he asked a
question. Before he was fairly unloaded, he
had the youths whole story having ascertain
ed the names, ages, and residence of the par
ties how long he had known the young woman
if he really loved her, and was willing to la
Dor honestly to promote her happiness, &c.
The youngster gave simple and satisfactory
answers to all the questions propounded.
In the mean time, the old lady, perfectly
understanding Dads way of doing things had
sent out to say to the people that wedding
was coming off at the house; and by the time
the wood was unloaded, quite crowd had col
lected to witness the ceremony.
The old fellow, having pitched out the last
stick, and picAed up his long goad, stood up
in the cart and commenced the performance
"Jest jine hands," said he to the young
couple. 1t was done accordingly.
~ am satisfied with both of ye," continued
he, "you've perfect right to getmarried )" and
he united EN- in short order.
aAs the rafters on this house are joined to-
gether, so jine you-you are man and wife
salute your bride. don't charge you any
thing for the operation.
"Whoa haw Buck get along Bright and
with an eloquent flourish OF his long stick, he
started for another load of wood leaving the
newly welded pair amid the villagers kissing
each other with very distinct and particular
evidence of satisfaction
THAT was wedding worth having" said
Major Oudesley: +" ! knew the couple after
wards, and know them yet for they are both
living in high state of prosperity. And
know their children after them, too, and NIGH
ty fine children they are, for one of them is at
this very time Governor Of the State of In
diana