The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-11-22
THE FRONTIER WEDDING.
By THE MINISTER'S WIFE.

One day iu early winter, my HUSBAND
received summons to Burke,s seteief
ment to unite a couple in the bonds Q,
wedlock. 1t was especially requested
that his wife should accompany h!m' aS
we should be expected to remain jill
night and partake of the festivities.
It was twenty miles to the settlement,
and we reached the log house OF Mr.
Rnrke the father of the expectant bride,
obont noon. a dozen tow-haired chill
dren were at the door waiting our arrival.
Thev telepraphed the news instantly.
mHarm marm here's the elder and
his woman They're nothing but folks !!
She's. got mans hat on and turkeys
wing in front of it; his nose is just like
dads, crooked as cowhorn squash !"
Alas for Mr. Morrison's aquiline nose,
of which he was little vain.
"Samp cried shrill female voice from
the interior of the cabin, "run out and
grab the rooster, and Til clap him into
the pot. Sal, you quit that churn and
sweep the floor. Kick that corndodger
under the bed. Bill, you wipe that cheer
for the minister's wife, and be spry about
it,"
s Further remarks were cut short by our
entrance.
Mrs. Burke, in calico short gown, blue
petticoat and bare feet, came forward,
wiring her face on her apron.
"How do you do, elder? How dye
do, marm? Must excuse my head, hain't
had no chance to comb it since last week.
Work must be did, you know. Powerful
sharp air, hain't it? Shoe, there! Bill,
drive that turkey out of the bread tray.
Sal, take the lady's things Set right up
to the fire, marin. Hands cold? Well,
Just run 'em through Bills hair--keep it
long purpose"
Bill presented his shaggy hair, but |
declined with an involuntary shudder.
claws, if she amt actually shivering,"
cried Mrs. Burke. "Bring in some more
wood. Here, marln take this corndodg-
er inter your lap-it's as good as soap
stone"
A fearful squaH announced the execu-
ton of the rooster, and shortly afterward
he was bouncing about in four-quart
kettle hung over the fire. Sal returned
to her churn, but the extraordinary visi-
tor must have made her careless, for she
upset the concern, and butter and butter
milk went swimming over the floor
"Grab the ladle, Bill" cried Mrs. Burke,
sand help dip it up. Take keer, don't
put that snarl of hair in. Strange how
folks will be SO nasty! Dick, do you
keep your feet out of the buttermilk. 1t
won't be fit for the pigs when the buffers
gathered. Drive that hen out quick, she's
picked up-a pound of butter already.
There, Sal, do try and churn alittle more
keerful. Ii you're gwine to be spliced
tomorrow, you needn't run crazy about
it,"
81 advise you to dry upI" remarked
the bride elect, humping away at the
churn.
By the time I got fairly warmed din
ner was ready, and you may be sure /
did not injure myself by over eating.
Night came on early, and after q social
chat about the events of tomorrow, l
signifed my desire to retire.
+ Sal lighted pitch knot and climbed a
a ladder in one corner of the room. |
hesitated -
"Come on" said she, 'don't be afraid.
Sam, and Bill, and Dick, and all the rest
of ye, duck your heads while the elders
wife goes up. Look out for the loose
boards, marm; and mind or you'll smash
your brains out against that beam. Take
keer of the hole where the chimney
comes through"
Her warning came too late. caught
my foot in the end of a board, stumbled
and fell headlong through what seemed
imterminable space, but it was only to
the room had just left, where I was
saved from destruction by Bill, who caught
me in his arms and set me on my feet, re-
marking coolly:
aWhat made you come through that
way? We generally use the ladder"
I was duly commisserated, and at last
got to bed. The less said about that
night the better. Bill and Dick and the
others slept in the same room with US,
and made the airvocal with their snoring.
I felEasieep and dreamed Twas just being
shot from the nuzzle Of q Columbiad,
and was awakened by Mr.. Morrison, who
informed me that it was morning.
The marriage was to take place before
breakfast, and Sally was already clad
in her bridal robes when I descended the
ladder.
She was magnificent in green calico
over a crinoline full four inches larger
than the rest of her apparel, o white
apron with red strings, blue stockings, o
yellow neck ribbon, and white cotton
gloves Her reddish hair was fastened in
plug behind, and well adorned with the
tail feathers Of the defunct rooster before
mentioned
When it was announced that Lemuel
Lord, the groom, was coming, Sally dived
behind coverlet, which hung across one
corner of the room to conceal sundry
L.