Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-19
HYMEN IN THE DARK.

Startling Illustration Of the Saw that "a
Fair Exchange is no Robbery"-A Dis
tressingly Awkward Matrimonial Faux
Pas, and What Came of it.
We gave synopsis in our Geographic col
umns yesterday of the recent screaming mat
rimonial farce in Williamson county, Tenn, and
are enabled to lay before our readers the fol-
lowing thrilling particulars from the Nashville
Banner of the 3Oth inst.
Much has been written and said Of Christmas
of its luxurious feasts, lavish gifts, and
grotesque gambols, and many stories thereon
founded; but the person who fails to detect in
the following episode Christmas Story rich
pletely in shadow all holiday stories ever before
recited, in his judgment of humor we haven't
the least confidence Startling though it may
be, it certainly eucidates the fact that the lives
of some people are fraught withrare occurrences.
Long prefaces, however, are oftentlmes out of
taste-then suffice it to say bas
THAT though we have somewhat funny sense
Well draw wide the curtain and leave no
screen."e rta- 4s-ct titsash g - sse
On Christmas night, in the vicinity of little
post village very few miles distant from Nash
one of those genuine hilarious breakdowns of
'sye olden time, y in whose festivities host
hostess and guests were to partake, Invitations
had been issued to all the beaux and bellies for
miles and miles around, and the affair was to
be the grandest Of the holidays. Among the
guests were pair of newly-wedded couples,
whose voyage matrimonial had Just begun that
morning, in shower of kind wishes and con
graduation. We are not too sure but that the
ovation was inaugurated for their especial honor
and benefit. Be that as it may, night came,
moonless but clear. The mansion was illumin
ed with blaze of light and jocund with the
gayety of It's inmates. Soon the musicians
began their choicest quadrilIes, and the halls
and parlors were thronged with the graceful
devotees of Terpsichore The observed of all
observers were the lately welded couples. The
bright lights looked down on the fairy-like
brides and vainly We'd in brilliancy with their
sparkling eyes. The dashing grooms excited
unlimited envy In the bosom of every swain
present; but otherwise everything went as merry
as marriage bell. aaH 6sa asr s7soa 20 /
At q seasonable hour supper was announced
and such feast as it was The wits of the
confeetioner has been tested in the arrangement
and manufacture Of the innunerable 5ondons
and Understandable delicacies. After indulgence
in refreshments. the company again resumed
their places In the dance, and everything gil
ded On as smoothly and pleasantly as before.
hostess and ushered into the respective cham-
bers assigned them. In due time the grooms
following, having, however, first received some
what lndistinct instructions from the young
gentleman of the household as to which apart.
ments they were to occupy, he being at the
time engaged In the dance, and supposing that
they were well acquainted with the locality of
the rooms. The lamps had been turned down
and the wicks burned low. Without even dar-
ing to peep at the plump cherry faces half hid
by the snowy pillows, the grcoms sprang into
bed, and ba4 .l5N .hs.t
AT such point, in such story, it is Gus
tomary for modest narrator to draw veil
but In this instance we are necessarily compelled
to draw two veils ,...r -
The remainder of the company continued the
festivities until a late hour, and the gray dawn
was almost peeping over the eastern hills ere
the music of the fddlers ceased, and the dan
GERS, worn and fatigued, one by one stealthily
crept away for few hours.
When morning did come it brought with it
such scene OF confusion as was never before
seen, Don Quixote's furore at the inn alone
excepted. Forth from one of the bridal cham
bers came loud and prolonged shrek. The
drowsy slumberers turned out from all directions
some In dishabilie, ''some in velvet gowns
Every moment the screaming grew louder. At
length some of the holder ventured to 90 up
and ascertain its cause Up the steps they rush,
much wondering what in the mischiefis the mat
ter. From the scene Of the disturbance they
meet one Of the late happy bridegrooms rushing
frantically out. They inquire the reason of the
hub bub Hastily he pushed through the
crowd and bangs at the door of the other
party" in search Of his wife In the mean
while they also have become aroused and bride
number two discovers the terrible faux pas
and lends the force Of her lungs to the general
discord. Up jumps the groom number two
and rushes out In time to meet his eqally I'M
fortunate friend Each got aato the aroma
room!
Such 3 scene as this house then presented
it would be hard indeed to describe That it
was the most distressingly awkward matrimo-
NAL episode that ever befel a quartette of
''souls with but single thought may easily
be imagined But the explanation came at last,
and was satisfactory to all concerned we sup
pose. Here we are content to leave them.
Our sketch partakes not in the least of the
fancltul. The details are given exactly as they
occurred.
The following glowing description Of a young
Hebrew girl is from the pen Of an American
the late Mr.. n. P. Willis:
The rich Turkish coffee was brought in by
al Olu NUudl, WiiO iSlL uGT SHIPPERS DclOW as
she stepped upon the mat and our host fol-
lowed with chibouques and renewed welcome
bright pair Of eyes had been peeping for
some time from one of the chambers and with
Haiji's permission called out graceful crea-
ture of fourteen, with shape like Grecian
Cupidon, and timid sweetness of expression
that might have descended to her from the gem
tic Ruth of Scripture. There are lovely be-
ings all over the world 1t were desert else
But [ did not think to find such diamond in
a Hebrew S bosom. had forgotten to men
ton her hair, which was very remarkable |
thought at first it was dyed with henna 1t
covered her back and shoulders in the greatest
profusion, braided near the head, and foated
in glossy and silken curls of richness you
would deny nature had you seen it in paint
ing. The color was of the deep burnt brown
Of berry, almost black in the shade but catch
ing the light at every motion like threads of
gold. In my life have seen nothing so beau
tiful. There was something in it that you could
scarce avoid associating with the character of
the wearer-as it stole its softness from Unborn
gentleness in her heart shall never thread
my fingers through such locks again II
The Two Merchants.
When trade grew slack and notes fell due,
the merchants face grew long and blue his
dreams were troubled in the night, with sher-
bayl oil l.