The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-09-19

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: pi.s- -a' 70, ,,4b.d sdyF a.il 81 aro -D1t
by friends, who joyfully, entering the. matri,
monial bark, bid me god speed Of, a like cruise.
The sequel Of, these thoughts, which flashed
,alohg the wires of memory, issued from my
lips in tho single word, wedding 2" '', "' ''4
i "You arc good gucsscr," said my fair
friend eyes, it is an Invitation to the mar.
riago 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 motller
State For two years slo has devoted herself
exclusively to relieving the necessities of tho
Confederate prisoners, and nursing the sick
and wot,ndcd in the hospitals here. Listen to
what she says in noto accompanying the in
vitation cards
"Bring your mysterious and agreeable
friend, MIR. 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 the 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 ?"
IL shall be only too happy to accept" said
L; that note falls like balm upon my heart;
none but dear little Virginia girl could have
written such. I hope the man of her choice
10 rt ,f t1,o l.,
sob, he is n noble fellow 2" returned my
hostcssI and the entrance Of the breakfast put
an end to the conversation
The eventful day arrived, and, arraycd in
the regulation dress on such an occasion-glos-
sy black immaculate chokcr and irrcproachabc
fitting kids-a costume in which was some.
what puzzled to make my acquaintance, took
my seat in the carriage beside 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 IN hour had already received
the congratulations of her friends upon her ac-
ccssion to now dignity. Entering the drawing
room, from which the daylight had been care
fully excluded, my Confederate oyeo wore oon,-
plctcly dazzlod by the splendid array of beau
ty, fashion and wealth gathered there, and, for
some moments, imagined that had been
transported to fairy land. was, however,
awakened from this trance, by au 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 unssspccting victims.
Collecting my scattered senses, soon settled
down to q ''peace basis" and paying my de-
vea,s with tolerablc composurc to the happy
couple, gave place to the eager throng behind
me. Refusing for various reasons, the en-
treaties of my friends to be introduced to sun
dry damsals Of her acquaintance who were
ipretty and so rich" retired to corner,
from which observation: became an amused
and interested s'lookcr on in Vienna"
My eye roved over tho brilliant scene
The;fashing Of jewels, the tuter of laces,
And odors Of tropical musk; .t
Men and women, Most beautiful faces,
And eyes Of tropical dusk.
mingling with the witching blue Of the NORTH
ern CLINE, until at lat, like weary bird it re-
turned to the figure Of the bride and rested
there. Something in her quiet, dignifed bear
ing, and happy, trustful face was refreshing
to me, and, almost unconsc ciously, scanned
her whole person. What struck me particu-
larly, as inwardly commented on the tasteful
elegance of her attire, (for l am something of
a connoisscur in such matters was the ab-
sence 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 the weakness aroused to
fathom the origin, Of fancy, for wearing such
an ornament on tho most cvcntful day of a
young woman's life, and musng upon it, my
thoughts took another direction. The camp,
tho battlefield, tho hope Of promotion, and the
dawn of day when too, might wear star,
cngrossel me SO entirely that forgot timc and
place and was only aroused from my reycric
By a light touch on my arm, and the sweet
voice of the bride in my ear saying
~ shall not allow you to make statutes in
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