Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-06

hardship. And as | looked down lato the
the water OF the river, there rose to view the
image Of the ragged, barelooted, coatIess
moneyless bridegroom and memory recalled
certain facts which had learned about his
borrowing articles of apparel Tor himself and
bride and materials for wedding supper
Now, to dlsappont persons in their condition
was hardly to be thought of &c. chirrupiog
to my good steed we made the plunge
a deep plunge it was, for the animal above
as well as the animal beneath, for the former
went nearly to his neck. However the horse
soon rose 10 the surface, permitting his rider
by happy exercise Of unwonted agility, to
strike the saddle a Ia Turk, which rositon
prudentiy kept till the opposite shore was
gained CIambering up the steep bank my
borrowed steed went at break neck pace the
remaining five miles to cur destination. 1t
was small frame house, rerched on swell
Of land in the midst Of Wild prairie, dotted
with an occasona cabin. The dwelling was
covered only with rough boards, between
which the ever restless wuds came and went
at will. Aighting at the gate a gray y-haired
man, the brides father, who was cutting wood
in the little front yard, land down bis ak ard
came forward 10 take my horse. He had, as
| alterwar! earned, served in the Mexican
war, aud had still a soIdcrIy bearing. TAX
Ing the bride he said:
y GU are the minister, suppose We
had given you up, thinking you would not
como n such a storm as this. But how did
you cross The river We heard the bridge
was gone
Horseback said !.
Well. said the old soldier, his eye kind.
Iiog, q miaisfer that Gun do that can prcaeh,
/ k1iow =
had fulfilled my engagement partly from
sympathy and the pleasure Of couquoring OBJ.
staces; there was, besides sort Of present.
iment that urged me on lor did in the end
regret that | yielded to it.
The interior OF the humble dwelling and
its occupants Shall not soon forget. What
taste and neatness under the most dscourag-
ing circumstances What method and fer.
tity Of arrangement where all was plain, and
rough and scant 1t is on the frontier,
where the appearances Of elegant housewife
ry are impossible, that womans fertile re.
sources OIL tact and skill most strikingIy ap-
pear, often making the rude log house and
simple homemade furniture wear an aspect
Of comfort and taste not unIrequently want.
iDg in homes Of luxury.
The household consisted Of the father al.
ready inroduced-mother, three daughters,
and the young man who had called for my
services.
Mother is not well, and would like to see
you a moment, remarked one Of the young
aides, showing me into an adjoining room,
where loving hands had spared DO pains to
iortlty Us pIulng inmate against exposure
and soo,he the anguish Of suffering.
A bed with its snowy countorpaue and
tasteful curtains, stood in a corner Of the
apartment, On it recnoj the dying mother
the cmacItod frame and hectic check mark
ng her victim Of consumption.
/ am so glad to see u, said she, extend
ing her hand. 1t is long while since a
minister Of the Gospel has entered our door J;
and yet regret that you have been put to
30 much trouble aud exposure in coming
God will reward you But | wish to speak
TO you about this marriage.
From her remarks learned that the fam
lily were from New Eng.and. Her husband
on his return from tho war, removed them to
the West, making one or two temporary oca
tlons, then selling out and going still further II
10 he 4 ,p,gla nh Ia fbat
way out that the young man, to whom their
daughter was now engaged mado their ac-
qualntauco,and joined Fis fortunes with theirs.
1t was under circumstances Of great trial
to them, aud his presence aud aid we're peeu.
liarly acceptable, indeed Indispensable
With untlring zeal be devoted himself to
their comfort, and whether on the long JOUR-
uey in the emigrant wagon, or in the tolls in
} cident to making new home, he was ike a
son and brother.
We came here, said the mother because
Of my health, that the climate might do Tor
me what medicine could not now see
it was too late. But for my husband and
Georges sake, who have sacrificed so much
| on my account, ! hope this last settlement
, may prove productive some day. They have
secured good tract Of land, that must bC
valuable by and by but we are land poor
, now all our money is gone, Another sea
son, however, We hope our crops will brlnE
US something more than the necessarics 0
life. George is like child to me and wha
I is more, he is Christian. Annie and he ar
teuderly attached, aud despite our presen
( poverty, shall rejoice in knowing that the,
i are united before am called away
e But the few friends that had been invite,
. had come in the simple words that max
two inscpcrably one were uttered and then a
}. the table was being laid, bride aud bridegroom
}. poured forth their JOY ia Christian song
d Strangely touching was it, here, on the Ion
e prairie, TO listen to welded love thus expresse
o Very happy were they, and comely, too, i
] the freshness and vigor Of their youth. An
st as we gathered around tho Widespread boarC
-e the sick mother taking once more her pac
y at the head OF the table, her face beamiOg th
is peace she felt, there was glow of happine'
ol in my heart such as novos experienced b.
os fore as guest at a marriage feast.
Well Elder said my Methodist friend {
! | alighted'at his door on my return, not
limb broken, oh But you had to swim ii
river Guess you didn't get much Of ie
though, did you 4
Never better paid 10 my liic-what, IT
al bill for Black Hawk 2
Well seeing Won ienl so rirh | think