Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-04-18
miscellaneous.
THE FRONTIER WEDDING.

One day i'll early winter my hus-
band received a summons to Burke
settlement, to unite couple i'll the
bonds Of wedlock. 1t was especially
requested that his wife should accom-
pany him, as we should be expected
I to remain all night and partake OF
/ the festivities
1t was twenty miles to the settle.
ment, and we reached the log house
of Mr.. Burke, the father of the ex-
pecant bride, about noon. A dozen
tow-haired children were at the door,
waiting our arrival. They telegraph
ed the news instantly.
Marin Marin ! here's the elder
and his woman They're nothing but
folks 4! She's got mans hat on, and
a turkey wing in front of it his nose
is Just like dads crooked as a cow
horn squash"
Alas for Mr.. Morrison's aquiline
nose, of which he was little vain !!
SAM" 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 minister's wife and be spry
about it."
Further remarks were cut short by
our entrance.
Mrs. Burke, III calico short gown,
blue petticoat and bare feet, came
forward, wiping her face ON her apron.
How do you do, elder! How dye
do marm? Must excuse my head
hain't had 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-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 purpose"
Bill presented his shaggy head,
OUT ueCilHeu WIFI all liNOIuuIdlJ
shudder.
Laws, if she amt actually shiv-
ering !" cried Mrs. Burke Bring
in some more wood. Here, marin,
take this hot corn-dodger inter yer
lap-it's as good as a soap-stone."
A fearful squall announced the ex-
ecution of the rooster and shortly aft
erwards he was bouncing about in a
fonr quart kettle, hung over the fire.
Sal, returned to her churn but the
extraordinary visitor must have have
made her careless, for she upset the
concern, and buttermilk went swim
ming over the floor.
Grab the ladle, Bill, cried Mrs.
Burke, land help dip it up. Take
keer-don't put that snarl of hair in.
Strange how folks will be so nasty.
Dick, do keep your feet out of the
buttermiIk it won't be fit for the
pigs when the buffers gathered
Drive that hen out 1; quick she's
picked up a pound already There,
Sal, do try and churn a little more
keerful. If you are gwine to be
spliced ter-morrow, you needn't run
crazy about it."
Il advise you to dry up !" remark
ed the bride elect, humping away at
the Churn.
By the time | had warmed, dinner
was ready, and you may be sure |
did not injure myself by over eating.
Night came on early, and after
social chat about the events of the
morrow, l signifed my desire to re-
tire.
Sal lighted a pitch-knot, and began
climbing a ladder in one corner of
the room | hesitated.
Come on said she "don't be
afraid Sam and Bill, and Dick, 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
tie hole where the chimney comes
through.
Her warning came too late |
caught my foot in the end of board,
stumbled, and fell headlong through
what appeared 10 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 re-
marking coolly-
"What made you come that way ?
We generally use the la1der."
l was duly commisserated, and at
last got to bed. The less said about
that night the better Bill and Dick
and four others slept in the same
room with US, and made the air vo-
cal with their snoring. fell asleep
and dreamed / was just being shot
from the muzzle of a columbiad, and
was awakened by Mr.. Morrison, who
informed me that it was morning.
The marriage was to take place be,
fore breakfast, and Sally was already
clad in her bridal robes when | de,
scended the ladder.
| Sho wa mannificaut in q orraau