The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-11-30
: A Fire Wedding.

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to be married about the time the fire occur
l%red,~ determined that the programme shoulc
be carried out Notwithstanding the loss O.
hei wardrobe. A correspondent says of the
affair: Alas, what bride and groom of the
present day could kneel on bare floor and
get up again gracefully? In vain blocks Of
woods, boxes, and books were tried-one was
too high, another was too low. At last q
bright thought came-carriage cushions
Four cushions were brought from the barn,
and an Afghan converted them into lovely
hassock. As it Is Cor was) impossible in
these days to have a wedding without show
ing "the presents" vine-wreathed table
in one corner held a most elaborate display.
A beautiful jewel-case was set forth as tho
bridegroom's gift-a set of exquisite pearls,
which you had to look at very nearly to dis
cover that they were moulded from fine
white ravelings of cotton cloth. Other cases
contained sets ofpickle-forks, prcserve-spoons
and so forth, cut out in pasteboard, with
holdings and monograms in lead pencil
Valuable jewelry was plenty, only unfortu-
nately the lava earrings had been dug once
too often, and the canoes looked very black
and queer round the edges A pewter table,,
spoon, a German-slver fork, and some val
liable aids to house-keepi lg in the broom
and dust-pan line, completed the. array,
which certainly was unique, and interested
the spectators much more than the usual
show. But when it came to dressing the
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ding-dress and veil had never come home
from Field & Leitners. Never mind, She
had morning. dress, which looped over a.
nice petticoat, would make her slender fig
ure look lovely, and her married sister had
saved her own wedding-vcil. Some simple
white flowers from neighbor's yard took
the place of orange blossoms, nndn sct- of
pearls was borrowed from friend who had
brought them out of the fire in her hands.
As for stockings, handkerchiefs, &C., the va
rious guests provided these from among
them. So the pretty bride looked, after all,
as sweet as a rose, and the lorg-lald away
tuelle veil, became her soft fair locks to a !
charm. The groom was dressed in borrowed
clothes from head to foot, as was the trst
bridesmaid, while the brother that gave
away the bride complained that ne, being
five feet nine, was obliged to borrow the
dress suit of man who stood six feet ana
six in his stockings, and that consequently
when he stepped forward to perform ms
brotherly duty, he was obliged to takesa .
reef. in his habiliments to prevent falling
oussyss issss,, an his nase. At length all;was ready.
Iswonaer ifJust such an q, asses.blags syer
had been driven from their houses by the
actual presence of 6re-the bride and groom
hastened their wedding so as to 60 away to-
gether among friends who could shelter and
help them. The minister who had married
them had promised his congregation that
he would stay among them, and work with
his hands if necessary, being bcreft Of all he
mad in the world. And this was all that
was left of one of the richest congregations
in the richest city of the West! But never
have | seen, among rich or poor, a sweeter
and moro holy,scenling Wedding, and when,
Ter the solemn words were said, the con-
at sign from the minister, drop
psd on their knees and offered a solemn
thanksgiving to the Almighty for their
through the horrors of the last
few dreadful days, broken voices and tender
and heartfelt tones attested the reality Of the
service. And SO the warm biscuit and cold
water that stood for wedding-cake and wine
we're partaken Of, with plentiful seasoning
Of cheerful words and even jests, and all
felt that to be poor in such good company
robbed ruin of half its sting Indeed, must
say that the spirit of these afflicted people
is simply wonderful. Not whine does one
hear, nor does one often meet dismal face.
All glory in being Mark Tapleys, till it seems
sometimes as though the cheerfulness was
more than natural. One lady when condoled
with for the loss of her house, remarked
"Oh, WELL after all, it burned up lot of old
things up in the garret that never should
have found courage to throw away"
Pob1>aru of O. Pai1waU Train