The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-10-18
IN Illinois Heading.

IN Illinois Uyedding.
BY THE MINISTER'S WIFE.
One day in early winter my husband
received a summons to Burke's settle
ment, to unite a couple in the bonds of
Wedlock. 1t was especially requested
that his wife should accompany him,
as we should be expected to remain all
night and partake of the festivities.
1t was twenty miles to the settlement
and we reached the log house of Mr..
Burke, the father Of the expected bride,
about noon. A dozen tow haired chill
dren were at the door, waiting our arri-
val. They telegraphed the news in
stantly.
"Marm! marin! here's the Elder and
his woman! They're nothing but folks.
She's got a mans hat on, and a turkey
wing in front Of it; his boss is just like
dad's-crooled as q eow-hOrn squash
'Sam!' cried a shrill female voice
from the interior Of the cabin, ''run out
and grab the rooster, and I'll clap him
and sweep the floor. Kick that corn
dodger under the bed! Bill, you wipe
that tallow out that cheer, for tho minis
ter's wife, and be spry about it,
Farther remarks were cut short by
our entrance.
Mrs. Burke, in calico short gown,
blue petticoat, and bare feet, came for
Ward-Wiping her face on her apron.
elbow do you do, Elder? how d'ye do
marin? Must excuse my head-hain't
had no chance to comb it since last
week. Set right to the fire marm
Hands cold? Well just run 'em in Bill's
hair-we keep it long purpose"
Bill presented his shaggy head, but I
declined, with an involuntary shudder
Sal returned to her churn, but the eX-
traordinary visitor must have made her
careless, for she upset the concern, and
butter and buttermiill went swimming.
over the floor.
"Grab the ladle, Bill" cried Mrs.
Burke, ''and help dip it up. Take keer;
don't put that smart of hair in. Strange
how folks will be so nasty. Dick, do
it won't be fit for the pigs when the but
ter's gathered. Drive that hen out
quick. She's picked up q pound Of but
ter already. There, Sal, do try and
churn little more keerful. If you are
agwine to be spliced ter-morrer, you
needn't run crazy about it,"
81 advise you to dry up!' remarked
the bride elect humping away at the
churn.
Night came on early, and after a So
cial chat about the event ofthemorrow,
| sienified my desire to retire.
Sal lighted a pitch not, and began
climbing ladder in one corner of the
room. l hesitated.
"Come on" cried she. "Don't be
afraid, Sam, and Bill, and Dick, and
all the rest of We, duck your heads While
the Elders wife goes up. Look out for
the loose boards, marin, and mind Or
you'll smash your brains out against
that beam. Takekeer ofthe hole where
the chimney comes through"
Her warning came too late. | caught
my foot in the end of d board, stumbled
and fell headlong through what appear
ed to be interminable space, but it was
only to the room | had just left, where
| was saved from destruction by Bill,
who caught me in his arms, and set me
on my feet, remarking cody:
"What made you come that way?
We generally use the ladder"
l was duly commiserated, and at last
! cot to bed. The less said about that
night the better.
The marriage was to take place before
breakfast, and Sally was already clad IN
her bridal robes when l descended the
ladder.
She was magnificent in green calico
line full four inches larger than the rest
of her apparel, white apron with red
strings, blue stockings. yellow neck
ribbon and white cotton gloves.
When it was announced that Lem.
Lord, the groom, was coming, she dived
behind a coverlet, which had been hung
across one corner of the room to conceal
sundry pots and kettles, and refused to
come forth. Mr.. Lord lifted one corner
of the curtain and peeped in, but quiet
ly retreated with stew pan and few
sharp words from Sally, advising him
TO mind his own business.