The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-01-29

tie In the way OF more than one OF us.
/ did think she was quite as much pleased
with him as became young woman as
good as married to another. These ma i
denly jealousies are pleasant to talk CT,
uow all the danger is over. But let us
"haste to the wedding" n.
There was another thing that Aunt
Keturah did not like. John Jones mar
ried out of meeting; for Katie had her
preference for "hiring minister. -
Aunt Keturah told John Jones, if he
would only insist upon it Katie would
take him on his own terms; but some
how or other the attractions of the young
woman prevailed over the counsel of the
old, and Catherine had it all her own
way. a day or two after the wedding
John Jones was waited upon according
to custom by committee Of reproof and
remonstrance. Katie knew well enough
what they came for and as John was
going in to receive his reprimand she
said TO him putting her mind in plain
language: "John Jones, if thee tells them
thees sorry III make thee so !"
In hasting to the wedding" we have
pushed beyond it, and must now return
and begin at the beginning. Catherine
is not one who has grown up without on
lightment upon the sayings and doings
of the fashionable world, and how they
are said and done She has usually
spent her winters in the city, under some
excuse or other, and has kept us read up
in the fashions, fast as they came in
Hers was the first hoop ever seen in our
village; and if Aunt keturah' eyes did
not reveal her circumference in round
ness and distention, it was not because
she was not astonished, but because the
force Of staring could no father 90. All
the latest inventions, all the proper cere-
monies at the table and at reception from
high -heelcd shoes to dusting mustard out
of a peper-box Catherine Severn brought
to the country for W. ''Dear me - said
Aunt keturah, " | wish she d get mar
ried and settle down. The old lady
did not imagine what she was wishing
for. She could not have dreamed of
what was coming, or she would not have
desired TO hasten the catastrophe. Of
course. when the wedding -cauG 1t must
be perfectly en- rcgLe. Zadoc and | were
first man and maid; the other two
couples were from town. Katie had no
small experience herself, having been
three times bridesmaid. Aunty warned
her the last time that she had better
beware, or it might spoil her market
"Three times bridesmaid" they say
"never bride" But Katie has falsi-
fed the proverb, | am glad to say; for
having twice obliged friend and know
ing others are waiting, | should neither
like to refuse nor to lose my own
chance
Three times a bridesmaid is making a
toll of pleasure. la the city it is
something even more oppressive. No
lady could appear on two bridal occasions
in the same dress; nor in the round of
parties consequent on one wedding, could
any one wear the same costume too often.
Now, neighbor Severn is not mean or
small, but he did begin to object. He
complained not on y of the wardrobe for
Katic's ownself, but of the sum it cost
to enable Katie to comfort her dsconso-
late friends the brides. Never mind
father" said Catherine "my turn will
come presently"
We were all in tremendous flutter for
weeks before the wedding. don't know
how the subject became so we'll under
stood but the impression was pretty
generally circulated through the neighbor-
hood what a wedding ought to be in these
days Of progress. 1t is learned that city
bridesmaid number one intended teapot
and number two a sugar-bowl to match. !
Groomsman number was good for cake
basket and number two for silver salt
cellars. On these hints and on shadowy
of what the other distinguish |
ed guests from town would do, we invited |
folk had to act. Tie standard !
of gentility not only OF the wedding party
but of the whole neighborhood, would
rest upon the show of spoons. It was
4 direful necessity and must be met
Nobody dared complained except Aunt
Keturah and was not she behind the
age? There was nothing for it but to
submit with the most ready apparent ac-
Iuiesence and simulated cheerfulness.
But | suspect that there were scenes
papas and mamas and their
children which quite equalifed the tooth
drawings by which the old barons were
Won't to compel money-lcnders to extend
heir line of discounts. The sweep Of
hurricane and the march of fashions arc
lot to be checked however by any expos
uation. Both are resistless; and peo-
lie must submit. 1t is the fashion, no
natter how foolish. 1t is The fashion no
natter how expensive. Such thinking
nd seeking and buying and wondering
nd so many trips to town as were made
)ur upsophsticated villagers werc not
10 fat to the modern gift rule. What
o you intend to present the bride?" was ,
skcd of a crusty old bachelor in town on
he eve of the marriage of the first niece !
ut Of bakers dozen az don't know"