The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-09-19
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1. A5ryRD X MORNING, tteR-l 1868

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by ,r. friends, who joyfally entering the matri7
monial bark, bid me god speed onn,aa like cruise.
The sequel q, these thoughts, which flashed
lalohg the wires of memory, issued from my
lips in the single word, wedding 2" a''' . F''i
& "You are a good gucsscr, said my fair
friend eyes, lis an Invitation to the mar
riagc and reception Of my lovely little pet,
Minnie Norton, whom you met here the other
evening: and admired so much. She was born
in tho Old Dominion, and clings fondly to
every recollection of our glorious old mother
State For two years sho has devoted herself
exclusively to relieving the necessities of tho
Confederate prisoners, and nursing the sick
ant wounded in the hospitals here. Listen to
what she says in note accompanying the in
vitation card;
"Bring your mysterious and agreeable
friend, Mr.. w., with you on the 18th; al
though he will not tell us the nature of his
mission here, because he has the absurd idea
that woman cannot keep secret, yet know
it is something connected with tho welfare of
my beloved South, the land of Jackson and
Lee. His hearty cordial tones and dear old
accent are music to my ear; will you not ask
him to grace my wedding with his presence 2"
III shall be only too happy to accept" said
[ /; that note falls like balm upon my heart !;
none but dear little Virginia girl could have
written such. hope the man of her choice
is worthy of the gem he has gained.''
+ aOh he is n noble fellow ?" returned my
hostcssI and the entrance Of tho broakfas put
an end to the conversation 6 u. a3a
The cventful day arrived, and, arraycd in
the regulation dress on such an occssion-glos-
sy black immaculate chokcr and irreproachablc
fitting kids--a costume in which / was some.
what puzzled to mako my acquaintance, took
my seat i'll the carriage hesido Mrs b., and
was rapidly whirled to the scene of enlivenmcnt
We did not attend the ceremony which took
place in the church.: therefore upon our arriv-
al, tho bride of an hour had already received
the congratulations of her friends upon her ac-
cession to now dignity. Entering the drawing
room, from which the daylight had been care
fully exel,ded, my Confederate oyee woro com
pletelys daszled by the splendid array of beau
ty, fashion and wealth gathered there, and, for
some moments, I imagined that I had been
transported to fairy land. 1 was, however,
awakened from this trance, by aa exclamation
of delight from my companion, and found my
self standing before an impersonation of grade
aud beauty, clad in white satin, orange bios
SONS, illusions, and dozen other airy nothings,
with which the fair sex arm themselves to stay
their unsaspccting victims. -
Collecting my scattered senses, I soon settled
down to ''pcace basis" and paying my de-
voais with tolerablc composurc to the happy
couple, gave place to the eager throng behind
mo. Refusing for various reasons the en-
treaties of nay friends to be introduced to sun
dry dansals Of her acquaintance who were
''pretty and SO rich, retired to corner,
from which observation became an amused
and interested s'lookcr on in Vienna"
My Gyc roved over the brilliant scene,
The.aashng Of jewels, the futter of laces,
And odors Of tropical musk; ~
Men and women, Most beautiful faces,
And oycs of tropical dusk.
mingling with the witching blue Of the North
,crn cline, until at lat, like weary bird it re-
turned to the figure Of tho bride and rested
there Something in her quiet, dignifed bear
ing, aud happy, trustful face was refreshing
to me, and, almost unconsciously scanned
her whole person, Whatstruck me particu-
larly, as, I inwardly commented on the tasteful
elegance of her attire, (for am something of
a connoisscur in such matters, was the ab-
scnce of all jewels. Instead of the bridal
pearls, single highly FURNISHED star caught
at her throat the light fall of lace that covered
her neck and shoulders. My curiosity for |
plead guilty to tile, weakness was aroused to
fathoin thc origin, Of fancy, for wearing such
an ornament on tho most cyentful day of
young woman's life, and musng upon it, my
thoughts took another direction. The camp,
tic battlefield, the hope Of promotion, and the
dawn Of q day when / too, might wear "a star,
cngrossed me SO entirely that forgot timp and
place and was only aroused from my reveric
by light touch on my arm, and the sweet
voice of the bride in my ear, saying