Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-03-15
Mistellaneons.
THE WEDDING.
By J. C. WHITTIER.

81 wed thee in the battles eye.
Amidst the matted and stalwart throng
And answered TO thy banners cry,
As 1t had been a lovers song"
II was clear moonlight night in autumn,
in 1924, and the old garrison house of the
valiant Captain Wheelwright, the terror Of
all the indians iu twenty miles of Wells,
was brilliantly Illuminated for the wedding
Of the veterans daughter to a young and
gallant ranger, belonging to the band OF
Captain Hartman.
The house was crowded, with guests,
principally military men, for at the time
every man WAS soldier, and every women
if she could not merit that appellation,
was at least worthy of being ones wife.
1t was grand time-tbat wedding!-
There was an abundance of maple sugar
and pumpkin pies, and all the young ladies'
within thirty miles had been invited to par
take Of the festivities of the occasion.
The dance went nimply down the rude
hall, and every one seemed desirous of ad-
ding something to the general expression
OF inerriinenL ana Joy.
Yet there were watchful eyes and anxious
hearts amidst the joyous assembly. At ev-
cry sound from without-the sudden bark
of dog, or the creaking of the large old
trees in the autumn wind, thrill like that
of electricity passed through that throng
of merry wedding night jewellers.
More than once had the hands of the
rangers instinctively fastened on their rifles,
which leaned ready for execution, in every
corner of the room.
1t was not known to all that the eastern
savages were in motion; that the implacable
hate of the red-men was prooding like a
thunder cloud over the encroaching advance
Of the English.
The inhabitants of Wells had not indeed
suffered much recently from the attacks of
the subtle enemy-but they felt no security
from vengeance Of foes, and where unap-
peasable in their resentment, and whose
transient forbearance, like fhe crouch of the
panther, or the coil of the reused rattle
snake, might be only the preparation for a
sudden and deadly blow.
But the wedding went on without inter-
ruption. The beautiful Emely Wheel
wright stood up with the young lover be-
fore the venerated clergyman, She was a
hne specimen of natural beauty-her hair
fell carelessly and richly upon her neck
ber full cheek glowed with the freshness of
health, and the free waist and unconfned
form gave TO her motions an elasticity and
a gracefulness to which the modern woman
Is stranger.
And the bridegroom, in the strength aud
vigor Of his youth, with his sunburnt coun-
tenance and manly proportions, presented
a striking contrast TO the fashionable ex-
quistes of the day.
The rites were concluded, and Charles
Hanwcll had just imprinted on the beauti-
full cheek of the bride the ceremonial kiss,
when a terrific cry from withou. rang
trough every nook and corner OF the man.
sion.
All sprang to their feet at the fearful
alarm. The next instant the report Of RI
fies came sharply on their ears.
"To arms the heathens are upon US p
chouted Captain Wheelwright, snatcbing
his musket from the hooks by which it was
suspended
There was sudden rush towards the door.
The moon shown full upon their wild
scenery, but there were no visible traces
of the enemy.
Al lengths solitary figure made its ap-
pearance at II remote corner of the bull
ding.
"Help, for Gods sake!" said q we'll