Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-07-03
Ride toa Western Wedding.


Among tho checkcrcd scenes of missionary
life on the frontier there are not many more
pleasant than q genuine Western wedding.
The heartiness, the bold dash, the generous
hospitality Of the thing, and often the novel
phases Of social life which it reveals, together,
of course, with the fee, which is rarely small
in proportion to the ability Of the parties,
makes the event quite welcome to the ever
toiling preacher. .Au EIY
One day, on answering q modest knock,
there stood before our log house door young
man, barsfooted, coatless, with coarse, well.
patched pants and rimless straw hat, whose
face, beaming with bashful happiness, would
at once have suggested his errand were it moi
for his garb, or rather want Of garb.
care You the minister ?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied. -av
Then followed pause.
lis there anything" said ], breaking the
silence, ''that can do for your" 81
eyes. came to see If you could come
down to Mr.. LIS. next Thursday and marry
couple"
'Where does Mr.. L. live ~
"Seven miles below here, on the other side
of the river. They want you At two O'Clock
on Thursday afternoon"
81 will endeavor to be there at that time,
said l ''but who are the parties p
no." he replied, with look which was its
own Interpreter, "you will know when yor
get therer' S
After getting all the directions needful io'
finding the place, was about closing the in
terview, but my caller fingered as if he had
more to say; and, after evident embarrass
ment, asked what charged for marrying
folks"
81 generally leave that to the parties,'
said l.
Then there ensued another pause, broker
at length by saying, in depressed tone:
81 have no money now !; perhaps you
wouldn't come down and marry US, and wal
for your pay?"
"fhat will" replied. "And Providence
permitting, you will see me at precisely tn
hour named"
The cloud lifted from the sunburned face
and, smilingly thanking me, he hurried away
home with light step.
Seven miles in prairie land is short dis
lance but not being in mood to walk, en-
gagged horse Of neighbor. Meanwhile, TO
the two intervening days, it rained, or rather
poured necessarily, moderating to gentle fal
on Thursday. Ga calling for the horse, how
ever, the owner was 10th to let him 60.
"Elder," said he, Che was Methodist,
''aye you used to managing horses ?"
Somewhat. Why?"
Because" he added, "my horse is higl
spirited fellow, and has bad trick of throw
ing folks. Few can ride him without getting
hurt. The fact is, didn't sleep wink las
night worrying about consenting to lot yo'
have him; and don't feel right to let hin
go without speaking of it."
elbow does he throw his riders?" / asked
"By suddenly jumping to one side. He
powerful at jumping-beats all the horse
I ever saw in that line" said he.
II can look out for him -
"He'll outwit you, cider. Hope you won
try it."
But twas too late to go in search ofanother
and pleading urgent business and willingness
to incur all risks, the formidable beast was le'
out-a powerful, intelligent, fiery animal
black a. . raven.
What can be more inspiring than horse
back jaunt across rolling northwest prairie
So, despite the cold and rain, and now an
then a prodigious leap by Black Hawk, tn
ride was most exhilerating. It was two mile
to the bridge. On arriving there I found tn
freshet had swept it away. Just in sight
however, in the margin Of fine grove, wa
q snug little cabin, and riding briskly there
the barking Of dogs and my shouts brough
the proprietor to the door, bevy Of taken
hsired urchins at his heels, with eyes brimfu
from curiosity.
"Is there any way to cross the river ?"
asked. -
Yes; on the BRIDGE" he replied CURLY
'The bridge is gone p
"Well, then, guess there isn't any way
"But is there no place on the stream tbs
is shoal enough to be forded?"
The settler scratched his head comically
scanned me and my beast leisurely, an
said:
"Take the road to the left, and you wi
come to the old ford how it will be in thi
flood can't say. You can try it, though, if 20
like; nothing like trying, they say!"
There was need of trying, found on react
ling the spot. There rolled the river, dee
and wide, with steep banks on either side.
What was to be done? Go back and wal
till the waters subsidized? This was not Wes
ern. The genuine pioneer never thinks {
J giving up an enterprise.
A short experience in the vicissitudes {
frontier life wakes up self.reliance and lov
|of adventurewhich make..danger and difficult
to be courted rather than Stunned; indeed
they are everyday occurrences, adding p
quauey to privation and hardship. And, Is
looked down into the water of the river, ther
: rose to view the image ofthe ragged, barefoo
coatless, moneyless bridegroom and memor
} recalled certain facts which had learne
about his borrowing articles of apparel fo
himself and bride, and materials for wedding
supper. Now. to disappoint persons in the
condition was hardly to be thought of. s
chirruping to my good steed, we made th
! plunge-and deep plunge it was, for th
animal above as well as the animal beneath
; for the former went nearly to his neck
However, the horse soon rose to the surface
permitting his rider, by happy exercise {
unwantsd agility, to strike the saddle
Turk, which position prudently kept II
the opposite shore was gained.
Olambering up the steep bank my borrowe
steed went at break pace the remain
ing five miles to our destination. W Us
It was small frame house, perched on
swell of land in the midst of a wide prairi
dotted with an occasional cabin. The dive
ling was covered only with rough boards, b
tween which the ever restless winds came an
, went at will. ..as sss,
Alighting at the gate, q gray-haired mar
the brides father, who was cutting wood
I