Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-11-08
EARLY TINES IN INDIANA.

and commenced talking away in hi
usual quiet, chatty, and peculiar man
ner-
Pm sick and tired of this artifcia
way of doing things in these latter days.
why so, Major?'
There is an eternal sight too much
parade about every thing that is going
on. was at a wedding last night; thu
daughter of an old and much esteemed
friend was to be married, and I was Sc
urgently invited that ! couldn't helE
going
There was SO much fuss and parade
that l was perfectly disguised. l could
not help comparing the proceeding:
with marriage which took place in
Lawrenceburg many years ago, wher
Indiana formed part of the great North
Western Territory. At that time the
settlements of the emigrants were most.
ly confined to the rich bottom lands oI
the water courses.
'Lawrenceburg was small village oi
a few log cabins. My father was acting
magistrate for the district, and very
promptly attended to all the various du-
ties of that Office, in addition to which
he was in the habit of doing a great
deal of manual labor on his own hook.
That was when you wasn't big enough
to do much, Major
Exactly. l was a tow headed brat
of some eight or ten years old when
the incident / am about to relate took
place, but | remember ailfhe parlicu-
lars as well AS if it had occurred yes
terday. You sec it was about dinner
time one day, in the fall, when the old
man, being engaged in drawing sup
ply of wood for the winter, drove up
his OK team with pretty solid load OF
fuel. -
Just then a young and unsophistica-
ted couple entered the village, hand in
hand, inquired for the squire, and were
duly directed TO the house. The youth
was barefooted, and wore coarse but
clean tow-linen shirt and pants, and a
rough straw hat Of home manufacture.
His fair companion was dressed in a
blue cotton frock, pink cotton apron,
coarse bonnet, and blogan shoes with
out stockings. .-
These were their wedding dresses,
and their severe simplicity, and the
thorough independence they manifested
made an impression upon my mind that
will never be efaced.
I'VE have come to get married. said
the young man to the old lady my moth
er, who was properly busy among the
pots and kettles.
That's very good business said she,
smiling graciously, though you appear
to look very young; but there's the
squire just drove up-he'll splice you
in less than no time
so out she bolted TO give the fortu-
nate functionary due notice of the i'm
portant business in hand.
Il can't stop till l unload this wood,
said the old man; tell them 10 come out
here
Out they went.
The old man was on the top Of the
cart, and every time he threw off
stick he asked question. Before he
was fairly unloaded he had the youths
whole history, having ascertained the
names, ages. and residence of the par
lies, how long he had known the young
if he really loved her and was
willing to labor honestly to promote her
etc.
THE youngster gave simple and sat-
answers to all the questions
propounded.
In the meantime. the old lady, per-
fectly understanding dads way of do
ing business. had sent out to say to the
people that a wedding was coming off
at the house; and, by the time the
wood was unloaded, quite crowd had
to witness the ceremony.
The old fellow, having pitched out
.he last stick, and picked up his long
goad, stood up in his cart and commen-
,ed the performance.
Jest jine hands, said he to the young
couple.
1t was done accordingly.
4 am satisfied with both of ye,' he
you've perfect right to get
and he united them in short
order.
'As the raflers on this house are iined
together so l jine you-you are man
and wife-salute your bride. don't
charge you anything for the operation.
Wo haw, Buck-get along, BrightP
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
a very distinct and peculiar satisfaction.
That was a wedding worth having
Major Oudesley; knew the
couple afterwards, and know them yet,
for they are both living in high state of
prosperity. And l know their children
after them, too, and mighty fine children
they are, for one of them at this very
time is Governor of the State of Indi-
ana
RAn editor says that friend of