The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-10-20

| pleasant than genuine western wedding. LIB
heartipess, the bold dash, the generous hospi
-tality Of tho thing. and often the novel phrase
Of social life which it reveals, together OF course
with the fee, which is rarely small in proper
ton to the ability or the parties, make th'
event quite welcome to the toiling preacher.
One day, ca answering q modest knock
there stood before our Lighthouse door q young
man, bare-footsd, coatless, with coarse, well
patched pants and rimless straw bat, his face
beamiog with bsshful happiness, which
would at once have suggested bis errand, were
il not for bis ga.b, or, rather want Of garb.
"Are you the ministerl" he asked.
"Yes,' I replied. a.,
Then followed pause. coax n,
ais there anything" said I, breaking tb'
silence, "that can do for your fr
"Yes; / came 10 see il you could come dowr
to Mr. L.'s next Thursday and mary couple
"Where doese Mr.. l.. liveY' n1r
"Seven miles below, ON the other side o
the river. They want you at two O'Clock
Thursday afternoon" !...s .,la. lo.
IL will use my best endcavors to be there
at the lime," said /; "but who are the par
ties!
90" be replied, with look which was lis
own interpreter, "you will know when you 60
therew VA !
After getting all the directions needful fol
find ng the place, was about closing the in
terviow, but my caller fingered as il be had
more to say; and after evident embarrassment
aske! what charged for marrying folks.
81 generally leave that to the parties"
replied. nsa
Then ensuel another pause, broken, al
length, by his saying, in depressed tone
IL hav' no money now ;pebaps you wouldn
come down and marry US and wait for YOU
payI~
PERMITTING, you will see me precisely at the
hour named"
The cloud lifted from the sunburnt face, and
smilingly thanking me, he hurried away with
light step. g..,...
Seven miles in prairie land is q short dis
tsnce; but not being in mood to walk, en-.
gagged horse Of a neighbor. Meanwhile, fol
the two intervening days, il rained, or rather
poured ircessantly, modera ing 10 a ger tie
fall on Thursday. On calling for the horse
however, the owner was reluctant 10 let him 60
"Elder" sad he, (he was Metho list) are
you used to managing horses?'
"Somewhat-wbyT
"Because,.' be added, .my horse is high.
irited fellow, and has a bad trick Of throwing
folks. Few can ride him without getting hurt
The fact is, didn't sleep a wink last night
worrying about conserving to let you have
him; and don't feel right 10 let him 60 with
out speaking of IT,
fHow does ho generally throw his riders y
| asked,
"By suddenly jumping to one side. He's
powerful at jumpipg-beats all the horses
ever saw in that line," said he
~ can look out for him."
"He'll outwit youi Elder; hope you won'l
try it,"
But il was too late TO 60 in search Of an
other, and, pleading urgent business and will
lingness 10 incur all risks, the formidable beas,
was led out-a powerful, intelligent fiery ami
NAL, black a. a raven.
What can be moro inspiring than bp'se.
back jaunt across a rolling. Northwest prairie
SO, despite the cold aud rain, and now and
then prodgious leap by Black Hawk. the
ride vas most exhilera'ing. 1t was two mile
to the bridge. On arriying there, 7 iqppd
that the iresbet had swept it away. lust in
sight. hoSeyer, in the margin Of pine grove
was snug little cabin, and, riding briskly
there, the barking Of dogs and my shouts
brought the proprietor 10 the door, bevy Of
fayenbaired grchns at his hccls, with eyes
brimfsl Of curiosity.
'Is there sny way TO cross the river !" l
"Yes-on the bridsep he replied, very
CURLY. .l,i.r 'irf rsgi,h
"Tho bridge is gouol' h5.
swell, then there isn't any way" a9s
"But is there no place on the stream sh oa
enorgh o be forded q t lows i.,o9 laa
The settler scratched bis shock head very
comically, scanned me and my beast leisurlys
and said: s7.grrr IA. d. 4
Take the road to the left, and you'll come
to the OLD ford; how twill be in this food
can't say. You can try it, though, il you like
nothing like trying, they say" al DO
There was need of trying, found, on reach
ing the spot. There rolled the river, deep AND
wide, with steep banks on either side. What
was TO be donei Go back and wait till tLc
waters spbsidedi That was NOT Westera.
The genuine pioneer never thinks of giving w
IN enterprise. A short experience in the yi,cis
situdes OF frontier life wakes up self reliance
aud love Of adventure, which makes danger
and difficulty to be courtod rather than shun
ned--indeed, they are every day occurrences,
adding piquancy TO privation aud hardship.
And, rs looked down into the water Of
the river, there ross TO view the image Of that
ragged, barefoot, acoatless, money! less bride.
groom; and memory recalled certain facts
which had learned about his borrowing ar
ticles Of apparrcl for himself and bride, and
materials for wedding supper. Now, to dis
appoint persons ip their condition was hardly
to be thought OF. So, chirrupiug to my good
steed, we made the plunge; and deep plunge
i vas. for the animal aboye ss we'll rs the ani,
NAL beneath. for the f,rmer nearly TO his neck.
However, the horse soon rose TO the surface,
permitting bis rider, by happy exercise Of url
wonted agility, 70 strike the saddle O Ia Txrk,
which position prudsntly kept till the oppe-
site shore was reached.ilif nni1aii 'rld
. Clambering up the steep bank, my borrowed
steed vent st breakpeck plce the remaining
FIVE miles 10 our destination. IL wac small
framed house, perched on swell Of land in
the midstofa Wild prairie, dotted With an occa.
sionsl cabin. The dwelling was covered only
wlth rough boards, between which the ever.
restless wind came and went al will. Alight
inc NJ the ,oaio q vra hs; ;vo1 s--tkA