The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-07-06
THE ENTERPRISE.
Sweetwater. Thursday, July 6, 1871.
The Frontier Wedding.
DY TIE MINISTER'S WIFE.

received summons to Burke's settle
ment, to unite a couple in the bonds o
wedlock. 1t was especially requested
that his wife should accompany him; a.
he should be expected to remain al
night, and partake of the festivities.
1t was twenty miles to the settlement
and we reached the log house of Mr.
Burke, the father of the expected bride
about noon. A dozen tow-headed chill
dren were at the door waitins our arri,
val. They telegraphed the news i'll,
stantly.
"AImm marm here's the elder and
his woman. They're nothing but folks
She's got a mans hat on, and turkey
wing ON the front of it. His noscis Just
like dad's-as crooked rs q cow-horn
squash"
Alas, for Mr.. Morrison's aquiline nose,
of which lie 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 elders
wife, and be spry about it. ,
Further remarks were cut short by
our entrance.
Mrs. Burke, in calico short gown, blue
petticoat and bare feet, came forward
wiping her face ON her apron.
"How dye do, elder? How dye do,
marm? Must excuse my head; hAn't
had no chance to comb it since last week.
Work must be did, you know Power
full sharp air, han'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, malm. Hands
cold? Well, just run 'em in Bills hair;
we keep it long on pTpose.
Bill presented his shaggy head; but I
declined with an involuntary shudder.
claws if she amt actually shiver-
ing!" cried Mrs Burke. "Bring in
some more wood. There, marm; take
this corn-dodger into yer lap. It's as
good as a soapstone."
A fateful squall announced the execu-
ton OF the rooster, and shortly after
ward he was bouncing about in four
quart kettle, hung over the fire. Sal re-
turned to her churn; but the extraor-
binary visitor must have made her care
less, for she upset the concern, and the
buttermilk went swimming over the
floor.
"Grab the ladle, Bill" cried Mrs
Burke, "and help dip itup. 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 buttermilk, it
won't be fit for the pigs when the but
ter's gathered. Drive that hen out
quick; she's picked up pound of butter
already. There, Sal, do try and chmn Il
little moro keerful. If you are gwine to
be spEced ter-morow, you necdu't run
crazy about it,"
81 advise you to dry up!" remarked
the bride elect, humping away at the
churn.
BY the time 1 had got fairly warmed
dinner was ready, and you may be sure
I did not injure myself by over-eating.
Night came ON early; and, after So
cial chat about the event Of the morrow,
l signifcd my desire to retire.
Sal lighted pitch knot, and began
climbing ladder in one corner OF the
room. 1 hesitated.
"Come on" said she. "Dont be
afraid. Sam and Bill and Dick, and all
the rest of ye, duck your heads while
the elders wife goes up. Look out for
the loose boards, marm; and mind, OF
you'll smash your brains out against that
beam. Take keer of that hole where the
chimbly comes through"
Her warning came too late. caught
my foot in the end of board, stumbled
and fell headlong through what appear
ed to be interminable space, but it was
only to the room I had Just left; where
I was saved from destruction by Bill,
who caught me in his arms, and set me
on my feet, remarking, coolly: "What
made You come that way? We gener-
ally use the ladder" I was duly COM
miserated 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 vocal with their snoring. Ifell asleep
and dreamed l was just shot from the
muzzle of Columbiad, and was AVA
kened by Mr.. Morrison, who informed
me that it was morning.
The marriage was to take place before
breakfast; and Sally was already clad in
her bridal robes when / descended the
ladder
She was magnificent in green calico
over a crinoline full four inches larger
than the rest of her apparel, white
apron with red strings, yellow neck
ribbon, and white cotton gloves. Her
reddish hair was fastened in bag be-
hind, and well adorned with the tail
feathers of the defunct rooster before
mentioned.
When it was announced that Lemuel
Lord, the groom, was coming, Sally dived
behind coverlet, which hung across
one corner of the room to conceal sun
dry pots and kettles, and refused to come
forth. Mr.. Lord lifted one corner of
the curtain and peeped in, but quickly
retreated, with few sharp words from
Sally, telling him to mind his own bust
ness.
Lemuel was dressed in blue, with
bright buttons. The entire suit had
been made for his grandfather on sim
liar occasion. His hair was well CREASED
with tallow, and his huge feet encased
in skin pumps.