The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1863-11-05

ne Drldge Is gomez
"Well, then there isn't any way.''
,"But is thero no place on the strtn
shoal enough to be forded?"
The settler scratched bis shock hid
very comically, scanned me and my bit
leisurcly, and said: l.
"Take the road to the left, and vobl
come to the old ford; how twill bh
this flood, cant say. You can tris
though, if you like; nothing like tryik,
they say"
There was need of trying, I found In
reaching the spot. There rolled le
river, deep and wide, with steep bats
on either side. What was to be dom9
! TO back and walt TIL the waters subsss
ed? That was not Western The gen
ulne pioneer never thinks of giving u.
an enterprise. A short experience i,
the vicisitudes of frontier life wakes u,
selfrcliauce and love of adventure
which makes danger and difficulty to b
courted rather than shunncd-indcc6
they are every day occurrences, addin,
piquancy to privation and hardship
Aud, as l. looked down into the waite
of the river, there rose to view the imac
of that ragged, barefoot, coatless, money
less bridegroom and memory recal!o,
certain facts which had learned abou
his borrowing articles of apparel for him
self and bride, and materials for we'd
ding supper. Now, to disappoint per
sons in their condition was hardly to b..
thought Of. So, chjrrupiDg to my 600,
steel, VIC made the plunge; and dcc3
plunge it was, for the animal above a.
well as the animal beneath, for tho for
mcr nearly to bis neck. However, th,
horse soon rose to the surfaca, permit
ting his rider by a happy exercise Of un.
wonted agility, to strike tho saddle It It
Tur], which position | prudcnny kcrt
till the opposite shore was rcaohcd.
Clambering up the steep bank, my
borrowed steed went at a brc&k-ncck pace
the remaining five miles to our dcstir a..
tlon. 1t was a small, framed house,
pcrched on a swell of laud in the midst
Of wide prairie, dotted With an occa-
sional cabin. The dwelling was covered
only with rough boards, between which
the ever restless wind came at will
Alighting at the gate, gray. haired man
the brides father, who was cutting
wood in the little front yard-laid down
his axe and came forward 10 take my
horse. He lad, as | afterwards learned,
served in the Mexican war, and had still
soldier'y bearing. Taking the bride:
he said:
"lou are the minister, suppose? We
had given you up, thinking you would
not come in such a heavy storm as this.
But how did you cross the river? We
heard the bridge was gone
"'iorseback," said |.
"Well," said the old soldier, his eve
klndling, "a minister that can do that
can preach, kpow.'
| had fulfilled my engagement partly
from sympathy and tho pleasure of con.
qaerlpg obstacles; there was, beside, a
sort of presentiment that urged me on
nor did [ in the end regret that had
yielded to it.
The interior Of the humble dwelling,
and its occupants, | shall rot soon forget.
" hat taste and neatncss under the most
dlscouraging circumstances! What meth
Cd and fertility of arrangement where
all was plain and roug and scant! 1t is
on the frontiers, where the appliances of
housewlfery are impossible, that woman
fertile resources of tact and skill most
strl klngly appear-oftcn making the
rude log house and simple home made
furniture wear an aspect Of comfort and
taste not unfrequently waiting in homes
Of luxury.
The household consisted of the father
ALREADY misunderstanding, three
daughters, and the young man who had
called for my services.
"Mother is not well, and would like to
see you momcnt,' remarked one of the
young ladies; showing mo into on ad
Joining room, where loving hands had
spared no pains to fortify its piniue IN
mate against exposure, and soothe the
anguish Of suffering.
\ bed, with its snowy counterpano and
tasteful curtains, stood in a corner Of the
apartment. On it rocIincd the Gy-
ing mother-thc cmaciated frame and
hectic cheek marking her q victim Of
Il am glad to see you," said she, ex-
ending her hand. s'It is q long while
since minister of the gospel has enter
ID our door, and yet regret you have
oeen put to 50 much trouble and expos
are in coming God will reward YOU.
But | wished to speak with you about
his marriage"
From her remarks | learned tha. the
'amily was from New England. Har
husband, on his return from the war,
'emovcd them to the West, MAXIM one
'r two permanent locations, then selling
'ut and going still further into the un.
settled woods
twas while on their way out that the
7oung man, to whom their daughter was
low engaged, made their acquaintance,
md Joined his fortune with theirs. It