Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-02-16
NUMBER 6.
The Frontier Wedding.
BY THE MINISTER'S WIFE.


couple in the bonds of wedlock. 1t was especi-
ally requested that his wife should accompany
him. as 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 expectant bride, about noon. dozen
tow-haired children were at the door, waiting
our arrival. They telegraphed the news IN
stantly.
uMarm marin here's the elder and his wo-
man They're nothing but folks She's got q
mans hat on, and turkey wing in front of it;
his nose is just like dads-crooked as COW
horn squash"
Alas for Mr.. Morrison's acquiline nose, Of
which he was little vain
"Sam p cried 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
the tallow out of that cheer for the ministers
wife, and be spry about it." We enter, and
were greeted thus:
Chow do you do, elder? How dye do, marmf
Must excuse my head-haint had q chance to
comb it since last week. Powerful sharp air,
hain't it? Shoe, there Bill, drive that turkey
out of the bread-trough Sal, take the lady's
things. Set right up to the fire marin. Hands
| cool? Well, just run IN in Bills hair-we keep
it long purpose"
with an involuntary shudder.
"Lawk, if she amt actually a shivering p
cried Mrs. Burke. 4" Bring in some more wood.
Here, marin, take this hot corn-dodger into yer
lap-its as good as a soapstone"
A fearful squall announced the execution OF
the rooster, and shortly afterwards he was boun-
| cling about in four-quart kettle, hung over the
| fire. Sal returned to her churn but the extra
ordinary visitor must have made her careless, for
she upset the concern, and buttermilk went SWIM
ming the floor.
| "Grab the ladle, Bill" cried Mrs. Burke,
&C and help dip it up. Take keer-don't put that
snarl of hair in Strange how folks will be 80
nasty. Dick, do keep your feet out of the but
termilk it won't be fit for the pigs when the
buffers gathered. Drive that hen out, quick
she's picked up pound already. There, Sal,
do try and churn little more keerful. If you
are going to be spliced ter-morrow, you needn't
run crazy about it."
"I advise you to dry up p remarked the
bride elect, humping away at the churn.
| By the time 1 had fairly warmed, dinner was
ready. and you may be sure did not injure my
self by over-eating.
Night came on early, and after social chat
about the event of the morrow, signihed my
desire to retire.
| Sal lighted pitch-knot, and began climbing
ladder in one corner of the room hesitated.-
" Come on" said she, " don't be afraid. Sam,
Bill, Dick, and all the rest of ye, 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 the BEAM
Take keer of the hole where the chimbly comes
| through"
| Her warning came too late. 1 caught my foot
in the end of board, stumbled, and fell head
| long through what appeared to be interminable
| space, but it was only to the room had just
left, where l was saved from destruction by
Bill, who caught me in his arms, and set me on
my feet remarking cOolly:
"WhG. made you come that way? We gen.
orally use the ladder"
| | was duly commiserated, and at last got to
bed. The less said about the night the better.
| Bill and Dick and four ethers slept in the same
room with us, and made the air vocal with their
snoring. l fell asleep and dreamed l was just
shot from the muzzle of Columbiad, and was
awakened by Mr.. Morrison, who informed me
that it morning 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
over crinoline full four inches larger than the
rest of her apparel, white apron with red
| strings, blue stockings, yellow neck ribbon,
and white cotton gloves. Her reddish hair was
fastened in pug behind, and adorned with the
tail-feathers of the defunct rooster before mem
toned. When it was announced that Lem Lord,
the groom, was coming, Sally dived behind a
coveret, which hung across one corner of the
room to conceal sundry pots and kettles and re-
| fused to come forth. Mr.. Lord lifted one corner
of the curtain and peeped in, but quickly re-
treated with few sharp words from Sally, ad-
vising him to mind his own business. Lemuel
was dressed in blue with bright buttons. The
entire suit had been made for his grandfather on
similar occasion. His hair was well creased
with tallow and his huge feet encased in skin
pumps. Very soon the company began to gather,
and the room was we'll flied. "Now, elder"
cried the bridegroom, " drive ahead want it
done up nice; | am able to pay for the job; do
ye hear? Come father Burke, trot out your
gal p But Sally refused to be trotted. She
would be married where she was or not at all.
We argued and coaxed, but she was firm and it
was finally concluded to let her have her own
way. Mr.. Morrison stood up; the happy couple
joined hands through rent in the coverlet, and
the ceremony proceeded. Just as Mr.. Morrison
was asking Lemuel, will you have this wo-
mani" etc., down came the coverlet, enyeioping
both minister and bridegroom and filling the
house with dust. Dick had been up IN the loI'
and cut the strings which held it, Mr.. Morrison
crawled out, looking decidedly sheepish, and
Sally was obliged to be married openly. 10 tne
momentous question Lemuel Iesponc,, sN'a q, -
he sure what else did come mere Ior ana
So,Iv repIied, "Yaas, if you must know"
g so,ute YOUR BRIDE" said Mr. Morrison,
WIZ "Tm ready to do anything, elder" said
ro,nueI abut skin me if know about that,
sir. Just show me how, and I'll do it if it
kills me-"
Nv husband drew back nervously, but Sally
advanced, threw her arms around bis neck, and
gave him kiss that made the very windows
clatter.
81 yum, If 1 don't do ditto T' cried Lemuel,
and hastily taking huge bite from piece of
maple sugar which he drew from his pocket, he
made dash at me-smashed my collar, broke
my watch-guard, tore my hair, and succeeded in
planting kiss on my nose. Then he turned to
my husband and said: "Now, elder, what's
the damage? Don't be afraid to speak r'-
Anything you please" said Mr.. Morrison
There, elder, said Lemuel, {" there's musk
rats skin, and out'n the shed is two heads Of
cabbage. You're welcome to the whole of itP,