Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-08-17

I by all around him. On they com
with their embroidered coats, thei
long blue cloaks, theirsight locks az ]
blooming faces, shouting, laughing
singing and hurrahingl 4
Now advance four Of the party
Eric remaining behind with the rest
These heralds proceed towards Olu.
who stands at the gateof his cottag
to receive them.
Honest father" says the spokes
man, "a noble knight,snd his follow
ers have lost their roadin the ad
Joining forest, and we have to pra.
for. shelter and hospitality"
How many are you. friends p"
"Three hundred at the least"
MWere you number ten time
three hundred says olnf, you shoult
be welcome. In pledgethereof, drini
Of this cup"
So saying, he hands a bowl of all
to each herald.
Then Eric and his comrades ad
vance joyously towards him. with
cordial greetings. TIE bridegroom
seeks the bride; and the young mer
each appropriate the hand Of q maid
en-; the father and the musician
lead the way, and The procession
starts by the green pathway on th'
margin Of the lake for the neighbor
ing church.
It was a beautiful little temple
standing on an eminence in the midst
of a hamlet of red painted cottages
"a mossgrown building with q square
belfry, full Of swallowsiests.. Itwas
the same church which Eric and Ebbs
had frequented from their child dhood
The graveyard was like a garden
with flowers and trees, The poor.
box was nailed to a tree besides the
gate, and the graves were planted
round with currant bushes.
Swept and clean was the churehyard
Adorned like e. leaf women arbor
Stood its old-fashioned gate; and within
upon each cross of iron,
Hung was sweet-scentedgarland, new
twined by the hand qfafection.
Here at the gate, they were met by
the old priest in his white robes, who
led them to the altar, before which
as children, they had knelt, and re.
ceived at his hands then first com
munion; before which, one summer
evening, they had soleianly bettothed
themselves to each either; before
which, years ago, the little Eric, on
his weekly holiday, heIhad knelt in
breathless awe, gazing On the painted
glories of Jacob and his heavenly
vision.
"The benediction of Heaven be
upon you, my children" F" said the
good pastor, at the conclusion Of the
ceremony. "The blessing Of Heav.
en- be upon thee, Eric Sture for ]
give thee in marriage this ldamsel, to
be thy welded wife in all honor, and
to share the half of thy bed, thy lock
and key, and every third penny
which.you two maypessess, or may
inherit, and all the right which Up'
lands laws provide, and the holy
King Erik gave" -,
It is over now. Eric and Ebba
united for ever, return at the head
of the procession; the bridesmaids
strew wild flowers and birch twigs in
in the path the violens discourse
gay music, the miners resume their
bridal song, and thus they return to
the homestead in the forest. AND
there, on the grassy lawn before the
house, a rustic banquet is prepared
as if by magic. Cakes and chesses
loaves Of blackbreadl dishes of straw:
berries and cherries, rich cream and
curdled milk, rosy apples, COLDER
pears, all kinds of mountain berries
dried fish, parmigan and wild fowl
brandy, nut-brown ale and sweet
white beer in wooden cans-all spread
on snowy cloths, with no other table
than the green turf, and no canopy
butthe blue sky and the leafy branch.
es overhead.
The married women, with theil
husbands, have arrived during th'
absence of the young men and maid
ems in church; and tits they who have
arranged the wedding feast.
All hearts were glad, and gladdes
were those of the bride and bride
groom. The health went merrily
round, the priest spoke blessing OF
the repast, pipes were smoked, tale
were told, the women gossiped o
their neighbors, and the day was fal
spent when the dinner was over, ant
the space cleared for the dance Th
priest and Ebba trod together tn
first measure, a kind of solemn min
uet. Then the young men .chos
their partners, the musicians played
wild and string melody, and th'
lawn was soon covered with dancers
speeding along in twirling couples il
the insplriting figures Of their nation
al polkas. Eric and Ebba sat apar
with Olaf under the linden trees
listening to the music, and observing
the jewellers. Now, one by one tn
young girls brought gifts to tn
bride, and the youths to the bride
groom.
"Has Eric alone no present TO
Ebba?" said a pretty Swede, tossing
her fair locks, and curling her ret
lips; {" mot even q rune-book or a pal
of silver ear-rings?"
Indeed, I have seen none, re
piled her partner, a sturdy peasant
flushed with dancing and laughter
eff it were me, now, and Nina wer
my little bride" he stopped down
and the rest Of the sentence wa
whispered in the ear, and lost annie
the curls of the blushing maiden. :.
Now the polka starts Oft afresh
and they are once more lost in it
mazes. But thu conversation, Ishor
as it was, had been heard by one Q