Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-06-03
ed with pair of sparkling buckles, her
fathers Gift.

P~'s Va okoa mug UuChIcc, uer
fathers gift.
Vt course it would be highly improper
to DO more than hint at the minor details
OF the young lady's toilet, but the dress
she wore was Of fine and spotless linen,
which had been spun and woven by her
own fair hands. Afterwards she had sup.
er'ntended the bleaching Of the web, and
when it rivaled the snow in whiteness, she
had cut and sewn and fashioned il into n
dainty bridal robe, with her own fair
fingers.
This dress, no doubt, would in our day,
appear heavy and cumbrous beside the
gIistening silks and transparent laces
which fashion dictates, but no robe ever
imported from Paris to grace bride, was
more admired nor more praised in com.
ment than the wedding dress Of Patty
Bird. And this veracious chronicle would
fail of its purpose, should it not set forth
that this bride looked very beautiful in
her snowy garniture, and that not even the
dis6guiring fashion in which she wore her
hair drawn straight back over a large
cushion, and sprinkled with powder, could
destroy the effect Of her lovclness.
Very lovely indeed she looked, and we'll
worthy Of her stalwa,t bridegroom, as
hanging on his arm, the soft bushes nit.
ting over her fair face, she came up the
long, low, least parlor," aud, BY his side,
took her place before the officiating min.
lister.
In solemn silence the assembly listened
to the long prayer Of the worthy divine.
who, after including every possible object,
"all nations, and peoples, and kindreds,
and tongues" as we'll as all conditions of
each, the people Of the colonies and their
rulers, both here and beyond the sea, in
his petitions, at length approached the
particular object of the evening, and be-
sought, for the youthful pair about to take
upon themselves the obligations of mar.
riage, all aid and blessing from the Most
High.
This prayer, which occupied not less
than three quarters of al hour, was fol-
lowed by an exhorta,ion almost as long,
and which was more q homiIy on the
duties involved in the marriage state than
such words Of parental and kindly advice
as many Of the younger persons present
would have deemed more appropriate.-
Long before the conclusion of this address,
the bride trembled so much, from fatigue
or agitation at tiudiug herself the mark
for so many eyes, that Ezra was fain to
support her with his strong arm, move
ment which excited the frowns Of the
elders, and caused slight litter to issue
from that portion Of the room where the
youthful members Of the party We're group.
ed together. Tee exhorta,ion ended, the
customary VOWS were exchanged, the min
i.ter pronounce the pair husband and
wife; and then, after another prayer, sim
liar to the first, but shorter, the ceremony
which had lasted nearly two hours, came
to an end
Congratulations followed, and then the
company were summoned to tho feast,
which, consisting Of all the good things O!
New Englund cnisins, in the creates.
abundance, was spread in the large kitch.
en- Of the mansion
The minister and his wife had the place
of honor at tho right hand Of Squire Bird,
and on bis left were the newly welded
pair. Then were ranged on either side
the friends Of both families, according to
srniorty or closeness of kin. It was
soberly merry party, and full justice was
done 10 the gooe cheer, amidst solemn
jokes from lips that looked too stern to
smile even when they opened to emit
words Of dry and quaint humor. When
the guests arose from the table, the elders
dispersed, leaving the youth to prolong
their merriment to a late hour There
were var'ous games and much hoisterous
sport, in which the young bridegroom
took full share, though the bride, m re
shy and .imid than before the solemn
VOWS had been uttered, only joined in
them as politeness required.
Ezra Landon WAS the handsomest youth
in DeerfeId, and had been looked uron as
the best match in the township. And to.
night, il prosident parents sighed over
the chance lost for their blooming daugh,
ters, those rosy maidens were not without
their little palri.ations as they looked up
on his fine face and person, and enved,
half unacknowledged to themselves, fair
Patty Bird.
And never had handsome Ezra Landon
looked handsomer than on his wedding
night. His coat Of fine homespun cloth
Of dark, fores. green, with its long skirts