Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-09-18
AN ICE ADVENTURE.

- nv" scNeiot ycntS sfHce, tuat 4 was
returning from survey Of the north-wes-
tern district Of Lake Superior. my portion
of the duty Icing finished. Winter, with
its wild winds and deep SHOWS. had al
ready set in. and instead of the usual lake.
voyage. my journey to the land of civiliza-
tion hal to be performed in a sleigh
Each day l took my way over loads whose
ruts the snow had filled, while my horses
bells rang out through the snow clad forest.
whose pendent icicles flashed in the sun.
rays like fruitage of gems; and when
night came, l never failed of welcome
beneath the bark-roof OF the nearest settler.
where my news--albeit five months old
was mcle priced than my dollars, and my
French Canadian servant, with his broken
English jests. anu his sweet old Provencal
songs. sas more regarded than myself.
We had passed Lake Superior, and were
threading the forest bordering Lake Hu.
ron. when one evening we came to better
cultivated farm than usual, and stopped at
the door of large farmhouse, where the
scraping OF fiddles and echoing of feet an
nouneed one of those blithesome frolics
which the settlers at intervals tighten the
monotony of backwood's life On such
occasions. every guest is welcome, and we
were rapturuusly received. though the
house was crowded to suffocation. But n
soon appeared this was an extraordinary
festival. being for the bridal of our hosts
daughter. whom all these fr;;ends-who
came from many miles around-wcre to
accompany to see the knot tied on the NOR.
row. What joyous scene it was! How
they jestcd and laughed till the music
was almost drowned. and despite the
crush, danced merrily rntil the spruce and
Juniper wreaths trembled on the walls. and
the forest of candles fickered above our
heads; now footing old-forgotten dances
with the rosy bridemaids, in their vet red .
der ribbons. now clustering in triumph
round the softeyed bride. the fairest flower
l ever saw in that Wild region.
The sun rose on our unwearied revels.
ushcring in the wedding day. A hearty
breakfast was despatched, and then one
and all-for l deferred my journ, y in hon.
or OF the occasion-prepared to escort the
! bride on her way. ........ (
Through many Of the backwoods' set
Elements clergymen have never passed. aud
troths are lawfully plighted before the
nearest magistrate. But on the present oc-
caslon IT Glanced that clergyman was
visiting his brother at farm some twenty
miles distant. and the marriage was hnrri.
ed that the bride might have the advantage
Of parsons welding" NY two.horse
sleigh Icing the best-sppointed vehicle in
company. | placed it at the brides dispo-
sal; and we were soon speeding through
the forest, followed by bevy of sleighs
and trains. filed with a laughing crowd;
and willie the sIeigh-bells rang ont the
merriest Of bridal peals, the young settlers
played wild choruses upon their horns. rn.
til the old woods echoed with their min.
strelsy. .s.si
About midday. we reached our destina-
tion. but we had to, wait the conclusion OF
another ceremony. 1t was a wedding, and
the strangest ever saw, for the bride was
portly. the bridegroom grizzied, and they
made the responses with decision which
showed they had quite made up their
minds; while occupying the bridemaids'
s~~~'~,' A'S eA4o 'cofp WAS ou Ope0-mOutne0
clnster OF wondering juveniles. the off
spring Of the bride and bridegroom, who
had long been legally, as they were now
religiously married.
The young peoples turn. was next; and
despite the struggles of the little ones, and
the boisterous laughter of their elders. they
were all duly christened, and then led away
aey their newly welded parents. amid q
nnrrlcaTe OF congratulations and cheers.
which lasted until they had driven of in
the two trains awaiting them. i.~sra;. .-d
Then came the wedding of our own fair
bride. and she seemed almost scared to end
how solemn were the words which bound
her to share the burdens as we'll as lows Of
her bridegroom; but she had always meant
to do so; and taking heart of grace. she
smiled happily as be handed her into my
sleigh for the return journey. Agsin we
swept through the bush With laugh and
jest. and in the intervals my servant An.
tonic sang jubilant bridal paans. aud troll
ed old ballads Of love and msrrisge enough
to have turned Hymen- ward .. whole com
munity,d But after time there was none
but tne newly wedded and myself to listen.