Litchfield enquirer., 1864-06-09
A Ride to a Western Wedding.


 Among the checquered scenes of missionary life on the frontier, there are not many more pleasant than 8 genuine Western wedding. The heartiness, the bold dash, the generous hospitality of the thing, and often the novel phrases of social life which il reveals, together, of course, with the fee, which is really in pro portion to the ability of the parties make the event quite welcome to the toiling preacher. One day, on answering modest knock, there stood before our log. house door young man, bare-footed, coatess, with coarse we'll patched pants and rimless straw hat his face beaming with bashful happiness, which would have once suggested his errand, were it not for his garb, or rather want of garb. Are you the minister? he asked. Yes, replied.
 Then followed a pause.
 Is there anything, said I, breaking the si- lence, that can do for you?
 Ye.e-s; 1 came to see if you would come down to Mr. P.'s next Thursday and marry couple.
 Where does Mir. F. live?
 Seven miles below on the other side of the river. They want you at two o'clock in the afternoon.
 will use my best endeavors to be there at that time, said I, but who are the parties?
 Oh, he replied with look which was its own interpreter, you will know when you get there.
 After getting all the directions needful for finding the place, 1 was about closing the in terview; but my caller fingered as if he had more to say and, after evident embarrassment, asked what charged for marrying folks. generally leave that to the parties, repli ed
 Then another pause, broken, at length, by hjS Savinp in a C3anreSSaI
 have no money now; perhaps you would not come dc=sf and marry us. and wait for your pay?
 That 1 will, l replied. And Providence permitting, you will see me at the hour named.
 The cloud lifted from the sunburnt face, and, smiingly thanked me- he hurried away with a light step.
 Seven miles in prairie land is short dis tance, but not being in mood to walk. I en- gagged horse of peighbor. Meanwhile, for the two intervening days, 1t rained, or rather poured, necessarily, moderating to gentle fall on Thursday. On calling for the horse, how ever, the owner was very reluctant to let him go.
 Elder, said he, are you used to managing horses?
 Somewhat-why
 Because, he added, my horse is a high spirit ed fellow, and has bad trick of throwing folks Few can rlde him without getting hurt. Tn. fact is, didn't sleep wink last night worry ing about consenting to let you have him. and I do not feel right to let you go without speak. ing of it.
 How does he generally throw his riders asked
 By suddenly jumping to one side. He's pow erful at jumping-beats all the horses ever saw in that line, said he.
 can look out for him. He'll outwit you Elder; hope you won't try it.
 But it was too late to go in search of another and pleading urgent business and willingness to incur all rsks-the formidable beast was led out-a powerful, intelligent, fiery animal, black , as raven.
 What can be more inspiring than horse back jaunt across a rolling, Northwest prai- rie So, despite the cold and raiu, and now and then prodgious leap by Black Hawk, the ride was most exhilirating. It was two miles to the bridge. Or arriving there found that the freshet had swept it away. Just in sight, however, in the margin of fine grove, was a barking of dogs and my shouts brought the at his feet with eyes brimfull of curosity. Is there any way to cross the river2 l ask ed.
 Yes--on the bridge, he replied very curtly The bridge is gone. Well, then, there isn't any way. But is there DO place on the stream shoal } enough to be forded? The settler scratched his shock head very comically, and scanned me and nay beast very leisurely, and said
 Take the road to the left, and you'll come to the old ford how twill be in the flood, can't say. You can try it, though if you like no- thing like trying, they say. There vas no need of trying, l found, OR reaching the spot There rolled the river deep and wide, with steep banks on either side. What was to be done? Go back and wait till the waters subsided |? That was not Western The genuine pioneer never thinks of giving up an enterprise. A short experience in the vii cissitudes of frontier life wakes up self reliance and love of adventure, which makes danger and difficulty to be courted than summed; in tdeed they are every day occurrences, adding piquancy to privation and hardship.
 And, as 1 locked down into the water of tn e river, there rose to view the image of that rag ged, bare footed, coatless, moneyless bride groom, and memory recalled certain facts which l had learned about his borrowing articles of apparel for himself and bride, and materials for a wedding supper. Now, to disappoint per- sons in their condition ashardy 60 be thought of So chirruping to my good steed, we made the plunge; and deep plunge it was, for the animal above as well as the animal beneath. The horse, however, soon rose to the surface, permitting his rider, by happy exercise ot un, wonted agility, to strike the saddle la Turk, which position I prudently kept till the oppo- site shore was reached. Clambering up the steep bank, my borrowed steed went at break-neck pace the remaining five miles to our destination. It was a small framed house, perched on a swell of land in the midst of e wide prairie dotted with an oc- casional cabin. The dwelling was covered only with rough boards, between which the ever restless wind came and went at will. Alight-- ing at the eate gray haired man-the bride s father-who was cutting wood in the little front yard, laid down his axe, and came fsr- ward to take my horse. He had, as after wards learned, served in the Mexican war, and had still a soldiery bearing. Taking the bridle, he said:
 You are the minister, suppose9 We had !, given you up, thinking you would not come in such storm as this: But how did you cross the river? We heard the bridge was gone. l Horsehack said I