Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-01-21

tudes of frontier life wakes up q self-reli-
sncc and love Of adventure, which maker
danger and difficulty to be courted rather
than Stunned; indeed, there are everyday
occurrences, adding piquaney to privation
aud hardship, ~ - sslH
And as / looked down into the water OF
the river, there rose to view the image OF
that ragged. barefootcd. coatless, money.
less bridegroom-snd memorye recalled
certain facts which l had learned. about
his borrowing articles of apparel for him
self and bride. and materials for wedding
supper. Now. to disappoint persons in
their condition was hardly to be tho't 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 be-
meath. The horse, however. sooit rose to
the surface. permitting his rider. by hap
Ply exercise of unwonted agility, to strike
the saddle, Ia Turk, which position i
prudently kept till the opposite shore was
reached. $
Clamber:ng up the steep bank. my Dor
rowed steel went at a break neck pace the
remaining five milesto our destinations
1t was a small. framed house. perched mp
on swell of land in the midst of . wide
prairie, dotted with an occasional cabin
The dwelling was covered only with rough
boards, between which the ever-restless
wind came and went at will. Alightiug
at the gate, gray haired mantle brides
father-who was emitting wood in the little
| front yard. laid down his axe and came
forward to take my horse. He had, as
war. and had still a soldierly bearing.-
Taking the bride. he said:
You are the minister. suppose? We
had given you up, thinking you wouldn not
come in such storm as this. But how
did you cross the river2 We heard the
bridge was gone aHr
Horseback said l.
WELL said the soldier, his eye kind
ling. minister who can do that, can
preach, | know *
| had fulfilled my engagement partly
from sympathy and the pleasure of con-
querirg obstacles. there was, besides. q
sort of presentiment that urged me on-nor
did j, in the end, regret that ! had yielded
to IL.
The interior OF the humble dwelling.
and its occupants. / shall not soon forget.
What taste and neatness under the most
discouraging circumstances! What meth
cd and fertility of arrangement. where all
uas plain, rough and scant! 1t is on the
frontiers. where the spplicsnes ofhouse-
wifery are apostolic, that woman's fertile
resources of tact and skill most strikingly
appear-of the making the rude Lighthouse
and simple homemade furniture wear an
aspect OF comfort and Taste not unirequent-
y wanting in homes OF luxury.
The household consisted Of the father
already ntroduced--mother. three daugh-
tiers. and thu young man who had previ-
ously called for my services.
Mother is not we'll, and would like to
see you moment remarked one of the
young ladies. showing me into an adjoin-
ing room, where loving hands had spared
no pains to fortify its pining inmate
against exposure. and soothe the anguish
of suffering.
A bed, with its snowy Counterpart and
tasteful curtains, stood in one corner of the
apartment. On it reclined the dying moth.
er.--the emaciated frame and hectic cheek
marking her victim of consumption.
Il am so glad to see you,' said she, ex
tending her hand. 1T is long while
since minister of the Gospel has entered
our door; and yet Isregret that you have
been put to so much trouble and exposure
in coming God will reward you. But
wished to speak with you about this mar
rage
From her remarks l learned that tn,
family was from New England. Her hus
band, on his return from the war, remov
ell them to the West, making one or two
permanent locations, then selling out anC
going still further into the unsettled
woods.
Itwas while on their way ont that tn,
young man, to whom their daughter was
now engaged, made their acquaintance
and joined his fortune with theirs. 1t wa
under circumstances of great trial. to them
and his presence and aid were peculiarly
acceptable--indeed Indispensable. Witt
untiring zeal he devoted himself to thei
comfort; and, whether on the long journe,
in the emigrant wagon. or in the tolls in
ciient to make new home, be was like
son and brother
I'VE came here.' said the mother, BE
cause of my health--hoping that the eli
: mate might do for me what medicine coul,
not. ! now see that it was too late. Blu
for my husband and Georges sake, VIII,
have Sacrificed to my accom-. 1 hope thi
last settlement may prove productive som
day. They have secured good tract o
land, that must be valuable by-and- by
but We are "land-p poor" now--all on
money is gone. Another season, howeve.
we hope our crops will bring us something
more than the necessaries of life. Georg
is like child to me. and, what is more, h
is a christian. Annie and he are tende:l,
attached, and despite our present poverty
| shall rejoice in knowing that they al
united before am called away from earth
/, But the few friends that had been tinvi
ted had come in; the simple words ths
make two inseparably one were uttered
: the table for supper was being laid, an
bride and bridegroom poured forth thei
Joy in christian song Strangely touchin
: was it, here, one the lone prairie; to liste
! to the welded love they expressed. Yer