Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-07-02
AN ARKANSAS WEDDING.


Arkansas the State of all the Southern
eonfederacy worst ridden by denagogues aaa
! politicians. Rich In her soil and mineral
wealth, aud poorest in everything like interHA
improvements and commercial facilities Of fl
kinds. Her public roads are pigmires, and hla
| rivers innocent of any Improvement save th0st
afforded by nature. jogging along over oas
of these self-same roads, broke my bug
trying to drive round suspicious spot where
some philanthropist had erected a hickory SAP.
| ling, bearing the omnious words
"NO BOTTOM HERE"
Delayed and benighted, at last reached !
log house. whose blazing fre-light .hro' tIs
open door promised comfort, and if guesssl
| Alright, some half-dozen horses hitehed at THE
| gate indicated that something was going on .-s
hailel: 'lialoo, who lives here?'
Me, Bob Woods. What do you want?'
Supper and lodging, if you can accomms
date me-
This brought Bob Woods to the gate, wheFe
he proceeded to inform me that his darter Me-
Indy was about getting msrried, but he'd IS
lief make dollar as not, eff Ia feed my herss
myself and sleep on coru-husk shake down
afore the FIRE. | Jumped at the offer, and ont
Of my buggy fed Lightninc,' washed my hands
aud went in to see the fun. | was made at
home in moment. The idea of an '0relea
fuller' currying and feeding bis own horse, was
something entirely new, and was fayorite
'nstanter, guaranteed By prominent invitation
to 'liquor.' The parson imbibcd, drew an en-
ornous red bandana across bis lips, and an
nouneed that she was ready to talk when the
rest was This brought forth the happy cod
pie. The groom vas lanky specimen Ia
homespuH, and led his bride by the hand. She
was bouncing, rosy-eheeked daiasel, following
step or two behind, feeling evidently in G
novel position. You Melindy, take your fin
ger. ont Of your mouth NIelindy cast a def
nszss6nk at her maternal relative, withdrew the
offeading member, wiped it on her apron, ana
qnickened her pace. The young parson, after
some little trouble, arranged them to his satis-
faction, and proceeded;
John Stribner, do youtake Meiindy Woods
10 the presence of these Witnesses, to be youk
lawful welded wifel'
'Ihat's wot I'm here for, answered Mr.
Strioner, cramlning bis hands into his brecches
pockets. -
you will please answer yes or no.
yes or no. promptly returned the gentle
man.
'No, no. say yes
EYa-a-s, theup casting shcepish look
around him.
'Melindy Woods
'Y-a-a-s.'
t&ait moment. please. Molindy Woods,
do you take John Slribner, in the presence Of
these witnesses, to be your lawful welded hus-
band?'
Il reckin.'
Then in the presence of the witnesses spo.
ken of, do declare you man an wife, 'cordin
to the laws of Arkansaw an the Gospill; an
wots thus jined let no man put in sunder.'
The parson turned away, flushed and exei-
ted, but was recalled by query from Mr..
Stribner.
'Must kiss Ter pow, Gcorge?'
'As you please, John; she's yours now
Hold up Yer mouf, Melindy.'
Shan't do it. Right here afore folks
John did not argue the point, but oidled up
to the grinning greap where | was standing,
and proposed that US boys should take some
'bnst-head,' twhiskeJ.l Meanwhile | heard
MeEindJ's triumphant voice among some of Ter
companions. kiss. humph! Jawu's turned
fool, b'lievc'
slept on the corn-husk shake-down afore
the FIRE soundly that night, being separated
from the bridal apartment by curtain extompo-
rized for the occasion. From behind its folds
heard 'Jawn's' demonstrating voice, followed
by host of loving apologies from Melindy for
the refused kiss Pll take my 'aaydavy' that
he received that one a hundred fold, with in
terest.