Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-04-19
EARLY TIMES IN INDIANA.


Said Major Oudesly, as he casually dropped
in on us one morning and commenced talking
away in his usual quiet, chatty, and peculiar
manner
I'm sick and tired of this artificial way of
doing things up in these latter days
why so, Major7'
There is too much external parade about
everything that is going on. Twas at wed
ing last night-the daughter of an old and
much esteemed friend was to be married, and
l was so urgently invited, that couldn't help
going; there was SO much fuss and parade
that was perfectly disguised. l couldn't
help comparing the proceedings where couple
was married at Lawrenceburg many years ago,
when Indiana formed a part of the great
North Western Territory. AT that time the
settlements Of the emigrants were mostly con-
fined to the rich bottom lands of the water
courses. Lawrenceburg was then small vii
lage with a few log cabins. My father was
acting as magistrate for the district, and very
promptly attended to the various duties of that
office, in addition to which he was in the hab-
it Of doing good deal Of manual labor on
his own hook
That was whom you wasn't big enough to
do much, Major?'
Exactly, I was o tow-headed brat of some
eight or ten years old, when the incident am
about to relate occurred, but | remember the
particulars as well as though it occurred but
yesterday, You see it was dinner time one
day in the fall of the year, when the old man
being engaged in laying in wood for winter.
drove up his ox-team with pretty solid load
of fuel.
just theu a young and unsophisticatcd
couple entering the village, hand in hand, in.
CURED for the Squire, and were duly directed
to the house. The youth was barefoot, and
wore close, but clean, tow-linen shirt and
pants, and rough straw-hat of home manufac-
ture. His fair companion was dressed III blue
striped cotton frock, pink cotton apron, fine
bonnet, and coarse brogans, without any stock.
ings.
These we're their wedding dresses, and the
severe simplicity aud thorough independence
they manifested, made an impression on my
MUD that will never be effacod.
owe come to get married. said the young
man to the old lady, my mother, who wal
properly busy among the pots and kettles.
THAT'S very good business said the ole
lady, smiling graciously, though you appea
to look rather young, but theirs the Squire
just drove up, he'll splice you in less than nj
time so out she bolted, to give that impor
tant functionary due notice of the business il
hand.
a can't stop till 1 unload this wood, SAT-
the old man tell them to come out here
And out they came-the old man was Of
top of the cart and every time he threw off
stick he asked them a question. Before h
was fairly unloaded, he had the youths Who'll
story, having ascertained the names, ages, an
residence Of the party, how long he had know
the young woman, if he really loved her, wa
willing to labor honestly to promote her hal
piness, &c., The youngster gave simple an
satisfactory answers to all the questions PR
pounded.
In he mean time, the old lady. perfect
understanding dads way of doing things, ha
sent me out to say to the people that thel
was wedding coming off at the house, and
the time the wood was unloaded quite crow
had assembled to witness the ceremony.
"Jest jine hands, said he to the youn
couple. 1t was done accordingly.
, "Im satisfied with both OF ye,' continue
he, you've perfect right to get married
and he united them in short order.
5 AS the rafters on this house are jincd
gether, so / jine you-you are man and wi
: salute your bride. | don't charge an
thing for the operation. Woa-haw, Buck, G
along Bright and with an eloquent fouri
h of his long stick, he started for another 10
n of wood, leaving the newly-wedded pair am
!. the villagers kissing each other with very
h tinct and particular evidence Of satisfactit
l. That was wedding worth having 50
/. Major Oudesly; Il knew the couple aft
n wards, and know them yet for they are be
n living in high state of prosperity. And
IS know their children after them, too, and mig
o ty fine children they are, for one of them is
,. this very time Gouernor Of the State Of
d didnap
.