Smyrna times., 1855-12-12
Selett atltstellanp.
w E ID DING
AMONG THE WOOD. OHoPPERs,


marriages "ln high life " have often been
described with great skill, and wonderful ac-
quaintance with fashion and millinery displayed
by the reporter. But wedding in the back
woods, among the wood-choppers, is not often
reported in full in the papers. As novelty.
then' we give the following. And the scene
an actual one-is laid in the woods:
1.-The festivities were conducted in an ex.
tremely free, of-hand manner, still whosoever
chose to participate in the same, was welcome
so to do, whether he had been especially inv;-
ted or not.
The brides father, and likewise the groom.
are known IN the forest as axemen and shinnle
makers, OF more than ordinary thrift, and the
friends of the bride (who is a sun-burnt. moon-
face lady of twenty-fve) assert that none are
better fitted than she to fill the duties of a helm
mate, inasmuch as "she knows nothing bnt
hard work, and is able at all times to earn her
dollar day, either at basket making, or gath
ering sumach leaves for the store-keepers. or
cutting hoop-poles in the maple swamp.
The nuptals were celebrated in the one
story "ten by six" log-built mansion of the
BRIDES father, at which place the guests began
to gather with the approach of sundown; and
ere long, merry, smlrking groups of brown,
6are'footed forest women, dressed in gay cali |
Goes, thronged the house and blocked up the
door-ways.
The groom, who was a well-lookng fellow !
OF about two and twenty, had arrayed himselfI
IN pink and white calico shirt, and a new pair |
of shining black satinet pantaloons, the bottom
of which were rolled up for the better display |
OF his handsome pepper and salt stockings and |
caf-skin slippers. His thin, swarthy visare
had been so closely shorn that it fairly elisren.
ed. while his well-greased, sandy hair was dis. |
posed on top the head in the figure of short
rams horn. lie was evidently becoming i'm
pressed with the solemnity Of the occasion, for
ne preserved most serious expression Of coun.
tenance, answered all questions with extreme
brevity; and while one haad was clutched in
that OF his lady love, who sat BY his side on the
end of the bed which occupied one corner OF
the dwelling, with the other he held a small
Methodist hymn book, upside down, before his
face, from whose pages he scarcely averted his
eyes.
Besides pair Of stout cow-hide bootees, q
naked pair of huge reed arms, and a string of
scarlet sealing wax beads upon her neck, the
bride wore nothing which showed she had at.
tempted the use of any unusual display, and
with subdued air Of intense delight she stea-
dily contemplated the yellow springs which
relieved the blue ground of her "Msrrimac
calico" frock.
While the twilight was yet at it's height, the
jokes and the fun of the merrier portion of the
company were stled; for the Squire fwho !.
an elderly 4" fore-hander " farmer, and who in
the absence of clergyman, holds authority 10
perform marriage ceremonials) made his up
pearance in magisterial black, and bearing
several portentous looking law octavos and a
Bible, partly wrapped up in his bandana hand.
kerchief .J
Of all digntaries known on earth, none arc
so feared and venerated by our country people
as the Squire. For this reason a complete
and attentive silence now prevailed throughout
the company, and after the Squire had steadily
looked about him for few moments, he gravely
laid his book upon the dresser, spit out his to-
bacco, wiped his spsetacles, and placed them
upon bis nose. all Of which doing signifed that
the ceremonies were about TO begin.
The preliminary rite consisted of prayer
which the Squire, drawn mp to his fullest
height, fervensly read from tract, secreted in
the corner of his hat, (although he pretended
to keep his eyes about all the while,) and dur
ing the recital Of which those who possessed
aprons aud hats reverently buried their faces
therein, and those who were without leaned
their forebssds against each others shoulders
Having finished his prayer, the Squire invited
the betroihed couple to rise, and in an impress
sivc speech in which law phrazes and apt quo