The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-08-02
An Illinois Wedding.
BY THE MINISTER'S WIFE.

tlement, to unite couple in the bonds of
wedlock. 1t was especially requested
that his wife should accompany him, and
we should be expected to remain all night,
and partake of the festivities.
It was twenty miles to the settlement,
and we reached the log house of Mr..
Burke, the father of the expcctant bride,
about noon. A dozen tow haired chill
dren were at the door, waiting our arrival.
They telegraphed the news instantly.
"Marml marml here's the elder and his
womanl They're nothing but .folksl
She's got mans hat on, and turkey
wing in the front of it; and his nose is
just like dad's-creoked as cow horn
squash.
Alas for Mr.. Morrison's aquiline nose,
of which be was little vain
".Sam," called shrill female voice from
the interior Of the cabin, "run out and
grab the rooster, and I'll clap him into
the pot. Sal, you quit that churn and
sweep the floor. Kick that corn dodger
under the bed. Bill, you wipe that tai
low out of that cheer for the minister's
wife, and be spry about it.
Further remarks were cut short by our
entrance.
| Mrs. Burk, in calico short gown, blue
petticoat, and bare feet, came forward
wiping her face on her apron.
"How do you do, Elder? how dye do,
marin? Must excuse my head-haint had
no chance to comb it since last week.
Work must be did you know. Powerful
sharp air, haint it? Shoe therel Bill,
drive that turkey out of the bread trough!
Sal, take the lady's things. Set right up
to the fire, marin. Hands cold? Well,
Just run 'em in Bills hair-we keep it
long a purpose"
Bill presented lis shaggy head. but I
declined with an involuntary shudder.
"Lawk, if she ain't actually shiveringl'
cried Mrs Burk. "bring in some more
wood. Here, marin, take this hot corn
dodger into your lap-it's as good as a
soap stone."
A fateful squall announced the execu-
tion of the rooster, and shortly afterward
he was bouncing about III asdour pail ket-
tie hung over the fire Sal returned tc
her churn, but the extraordinary arriva
must have made her careless, for she upset
the concern. and butter and buttermilk
went swimming over the floor.
''Grab the ladle, Bill" cried Mrs. Burk
"and help dip it up. Take keer; dom
put that snarl of hair in. Strange hov
: some folks will be SO nasty. Dick, do yol
keep your feet out of the buttormilk-i
won't be fit for the pigs when the butter
gathered Drive that hen out. quick
she's picked up pound of buttersalready
There, Sal, do try and churn little NOR
!, keerful. If you are gwine to be splice'
q to -morrer, you needn't run crazy abou
q it,"
II advise ye to hush up!" remarke
9 the bride elect, humping away at tn
: churn.
By the time I had got fairly warmed
: dinner was ready, and you may be sure
i did not injure myself by over-eating.
a Night came on early, and after a socis
q chat about the event of the morrow,I sig
nifea my desire to retire.
Sal lighted pitch knot, and bega
climbing ladder in one corner Of tn
reom-I hesitated.
'e "Come on, clied she; s'dou't be afrai'
Sam, and Bill and Dick, and all the res
N of ye, duck your heads while the Elder
h wife goes up. Look out for the loos
pt your brains out against that beam. TAI
so keer Of the hole where the chimbly eom
Ut through"
le Her warning came too late. | caugl
ne my foot in the end of board-stumblt
en- and fell headlong through what appears
to to be interminable space, but it was on
n. to the room 1 had just left, where ! W
~ saved from destruction by Bill, wi
'e- caught me in his arms and set me on II
an feet, remarking coolly:
be "What made you come that way2 v
OF generally use the ladder?"
we | was duly commiserated, and at Ia
'ut got to bed. The less said about that ni (
* the better Bill and Dick, and four OF
ers, slept in the same room with us, a
= made the air vocal with their snoring.
A' fell asleep, and dreamed was just bel
me fired from the mnzzle of a columbiad, "a
an was awakened by MIR. Morrison, who
er, formed me that it was morning.
IN The marriage was to take place bef'
has breakfast, and Sally was already clad
cry her bridal robes when | descended
ars ladder. eH
inn She was magnificent in green cal
her gown, over crinoline four inches lar!
tile than the rest of her apparel, "a white apl
with red strings-blue stockings J
low neck ribbon, and white cotton glo,
Her reddish hair was fastened in a
are behind, and we'll adorned with the
feathers of the defunct rooster bef
90 mentioned.
'als When it was announced that Lem Lc
cry the groom, was coming, Sally concea
the herself behind eoverlet, which had b
the hung across one corner of the room
ana conceal suudry pots and kettles, and
fused to come forth. Mr.. Lord lifted
ri corner of the curtain peeped in,
quickly retreated with stew-pan, ant
80. = :. few sharp words from Sally, advising
y to mind his own business.
Ian Ian Lemuel was dressed in blue,with bri
ian buttons. The entire SUIT had been m
nm rnu fer his grandfather on similar oecasi
nan His hair was we'll creased with tall
ian nan and his huge feet encased in Sleeps
~ pumps.
"o Very soon the company began to ga